What Does Folic Acid Do For Your Body?

Folic acid is a complex B vitamin that is needed by the body to function properly. Also known as vitamin B-9, folic acid, along with the other B vitamins, helps the body to break down and convert the food that we eat into energy. It is recommended that adults receive a minimum of 400 mg folic acid daily. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in particular need at least 500 to 600 mg of folic acid each day to promote adequate growth and development of both themselves and their baby.

Cells

Folic acid is needed by the body to make and maintain cells. It helps to make DNA and RNA as well as amino acids and red blood cells. Because of this, adequate folic acid intake is essential during pregnancy to ensure proper growth of the fetus. Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy has been shown to decrease the chance of having birth defects in children by over 70 percent.

Heart Disease

Folic acid works to convert the amino acid homocysteine into methionine. Folic acid deficiency allows homocysteine levels to accumulate in the body. High levels of homocysteine are associated with heart disease and stroke. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people with high homocysteine levels are nearly 1.7 times more at risk for coronary heart disease and over 2.5 times more at risk for stroke than those with normal levels.

Depression

Low levels of folic acid in the body are now being linked to depression. A study published in the January 2005 issue of the "Journal of Psychopharmacology" found that those who consumed diets rich in folic acid had higher levels of folic acid in the body, leading to a lower instance of depression. It was also found that patients being treated for depression, also with low folic acid levels, showed a poor response to antidepressant medications.

Cancer

The American Cancer Society reports that low levels of folic acid can increase your risk for colorectal and breast cancer. Because folate works to maintain and create new cells in the body, it can help to protect DNA and other cells, preventing them from developing cancer-causing mutations. It is important to discuss your folate intake with your doctor. At high levels, folic acid intake has been shown to interfere with some chemotherapy drugs.