Importance of Folic Acid

Folic acid is essential for the development of the brain and nervous system. It aids in the production RNA and DNA, the body's genetic material. It is also especially important when cells and tissues are growing rapidly such as in pregnancy, infancy and adolescence. It may also have a role in the prevention of certain diseases.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B-9, or folate. Although most food naturally has some of this vitamin, the highest amount is found in dark green leafy vegetables, liver, nuts and yeast. Heating food, and especially cooking it in a large amount of water, destroys the natural folate. Adults ages 19 and older require 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

Folic Acid and the Prevention of Birth Defects

Folic acid is necessary for the nervous system of a fetus to develop properly. The neural tube defects of anencephaly and spina bifida have been associated with women not consuming enough folic acid while pregnant. Anencephaly is a condition in which part of the brain is missing, while infants with spina bifida have an abnormal spinal cord. Pregnant women, as well as those planning a pregnancy, should increase the amount of folic acid they consume daily. Obtaining 600 micrograms every day while pregnant can lower the risk of birth defects at least 75 percent, according to Martin Marinus, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Folic Acid and the Prevention of Heart Disease

A study in the April 2006 issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine," assessed whether supplementation with vitamins B-6, B-12 and folic acid lower the risk of heart disease since they lower the level of the amino acid homocysteine, a high level of which is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Researchers concluded that although homocysteine levels decreased in those taking the supplements, they did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with vascular disease.

Folic Acid and the Prevention of Cancer

The University of Maryland Medical Center states that folic acid may be important in the prevention of stomach, cervical, colon, pancreatic and breast cancers since there is a low amount of these cancers in the populations that consume adequate folic acid. Scientists have not been able to determine why, but hypothesize that folic acid prevents the development of mutations, which could result in cancer. Drinking 1.5 to 2 glasses of alcohol every day raises the risk of breast cancer, which is compounded by an inadequate amount of folic acid. Consuming the recommended intake of folic acid may offer some protection.