Folic acid is the synthetic (man-made) form of the B vitamin folate. The form of the vitamin that is naturally present in foods is called folate. To find out more about the difference between folic acid and food folate, click here.
What are the health benefits of folic acid for men?
It contributes to overall health and vitality.
It may lower risk for
heart disease.
certain cancers.
Getting enough folic acid is important for the women in your life, too!
Why is it important for YOU to encourage ALL women and teenage girls capable of becoming pregnant to get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, even if they're not planning a pregnancy?
Half of the pregnancies in the US are unplanned.
Taking folic acid will ensure that even if a woman becomes pregnant unexpectedly she will have already reduced her risk by 50-70% of having a baby with a neural tube defect.
Two-thirds of women in the US fail to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
Can you get too much folic acid?
Folic acid has no known toxic level. However, it is recommended that you consume no more than 1000 micrograms of synthetic folic acid (the form found in fortified foods and in vitamin supplements). Large amounts of folic acid have been found to delay detection of vitamin B12 deficiency.
What about food folate?
The natural folate found in food is usually called food folate. It is not as easily absorbed by the body as folic acid, but it still provides many benefits.
Food folate can help protect against heart disease and colon cancer. Additionally, a diet high in food folate is usually low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber.
Eating these heart healthy foods can contribute to overall health and well being.
Click here to find out how to increase your intake of folic acid and natural food folate.
Folic Acid Every DaySend comments to webmaster at vbrad@ufl.edu Last updated 15 Dec 2000About this site
