Natural Health Tips

Prevent strokes, colon cancer and depression

Folic acid, the essential vitamin B is often underestimated. Its health potential has only been fully discovered within the last years. This vitamin plays an important role in cell metabolism and is indispensable for cell division. Insufficient amounts in your body can lead to faulty cell division and malformation. About 90 percent of all US citizens take in less than half the recommended amount of this important vitamin.

Which foods contain folic acid?

You can find folic acid in all green vegetables, whole wheat products and in many kinds of fruits. The vitamin is very sensitive to light and heat and can be damaged easily when cooked or stored for too long. Therefore it is hardly possible to take in a sufficient amount of about 400 micrograms by eating alone. You cannot overdose on it, any surplus of this water soluble vitamin will be removed with your urine.

Warning signs for lack of folic acid

Fatigue – listlessness
Restlessness – Feelings of anxiousness
Absent-mindless – Infections of the lip mucosa

How to cover the demand?

Since it is hardly possible to cover your daily need for this vitamin through a balanced diet, you should think about dietary supplement. A number of manufacturers offer it in pill form and made available in different dosages. Enriched foods can also be effective against this nutrient’s shortcomings.

Folic acid prevents strokes and heart attacks

Vitamin B is a natural opponent of homocystein, which damages vasculature. This substance attacks the walls of the vasculature and in high concentration adds to your risk of heart attacks and strokes. A sufficient dose of folic acid can decrease the homocystein level in your blood.