Folic Acid

Folic acid (also known as Vitamin B9 or Folacin) and Folate (the naturally occuring form) are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B9. Vitamin B9 (Folic acid and Folate inclusive) is essential to numerous bodily functions ranging from synthesis (the making) of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA). It is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth, such as in infancy and pregnancy. Both children and adults require folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells and prevent anemia.

Leafy vegetables such as spinach, turnip greens, lettuces, dried beans and peas, fortified cereal products, sunflower seeds and certain other fruits and vegetables are rich sources of folate. Some breakfast cereals (ready-to-eat and others) are fortified with 25% to 100% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for folic acid.