Why is folic acid important?

Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for various bodily functions. In particular, it is necessary for the synthesis (production) and repair of DNA inside the body's cells. It's also vital for cell growth, development and division.

Let's dive deeper into folic acid and cover what it is, why it's important, and who should consume it.

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in water. If you consume too much of it, your body will excrete it through urine. Folic acid refers to the synthetic (man-made) version of a naturally occurring vitamin called folate. You'll find folic acid or folate in a variety of foods, including fortified whole grains, legumes, beans, fruits and vegetables (particularly leafy green vegetables).

Why is folic acid important?

Folic acid is essential for humans because of its important role in a variety of processes within the body. More specifically, folic acid is necessary for the synthesis of DNA, which occurs before a cell divides during cell growth. It's also needed in DNA repair processes, which is crucial for eliminating potentially damaging mutations in the DNA.

Folic acid aids cell division and growth in unborn babies, which is why it's recommended that pregnant women take daily folic acid during the first trimester of their pregnancy.

Folic acid aids red blood cell formation, helping to prevent a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia, which is characterized by the production of larger-than-normal red blood cells.