This Is How Folate Deficiency Is Hurting You And How To Fix It

Folic Acid Is the Synthetic Form of Folate.

Folate is found naturally in foods like leafy greens and oranges, but you can get the same benefits from folic acid, a synthetic form of folate that is found in some food and supplements. Unlike folate, folic acid is very stable at high temperatures and under pressure. Folic acid is also more easily absorbed than its natural counterpart. The body can absorb about 85 percent of folic acid compared to around 50 percent of folate. This can make folic acid a better option for restoring low folate levels and preventing folate deficiency in people who are at risk for the condition. While folate is absorbed and activated in the intestines, folic acid is converted to its active form outside of the digestive system, usually in the liver. That means it takes slightly longer for your body to metabolize folic acid, which can build up in the body, potentially causing health problems. Drinking orange juice and taking other B vitamin or vitamin C supplements in combination with folic acid can help your body process folic acid faster.

Folic Acid Can Be Found in Fortified Foods.

In the 1990s, the U.S. became the first country to fortify foods with folic acid to ensure that the population, especially women of childbearing age, were consuming enough of the nutrient. In the decades since dozens of countries implemented similar folic acid fortification initiatives. The initiatives, which included all cereal grain products, substantially increased folate intake across all age groups. Some of the foods that are typically fortified with folic acid include flour, bread, pasta, rice, and breakfast cereals. Folate deficiency used to be far more common worldwide and still is in some countries. However, improved diets and the introduction of fortified foods have dramatically reduced folate deficiency and related health issues. A study conducted two years after U.S. folate fortification began found that reports of low folate had decreased by almost 97 percent.

Leafy Greens, Fruits, Nuts, and Legumes Are Excellent Natural Sources of Folate.

So, what should you be adding to your diet to up your folate intake? Fortunately, there are many delicious foods that are naturally rich in folate. Dried legumes, such as lentils, beans, and chickpeas, pack the biggest folate punch per serving. One serving of these foods contains up to 90 percent of the daily recommended intake for most adults and 60 percent for pregnant women. But remember that these values only apply to legumes that are cooked from dried. Canned legumes have less than half the folate of dried legumes. Green leafy vegetables like Brussels sprouts, asparagus, spinach, broccoli, and kale are another excellent source of folate—as long as they’re not overcooked. One serving of beef liver will provide you with around half of your daily recommended folate, while beets provide about 37 percent. Some fruits that are high in folate include avocado, pomegranates, citrus, and papayas.

Where Do We Find This Stuff? Here Are Our Sources:

8 Signs of Folate Deficiency You Might Be Ignoring

How to recognize the signs and symptoms of folate deficiency and effectively treat it

Folate Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes & Prevention

Folate (Folic Acid) – Vitamin B9 | The Nutrition Source

7 Foods High in Folate: Eggs, Beans, and More

Folic Acid: A Vitamin Important at Any Age