Folic Acid Foods – Benefits and Sources
Abortion. Its a course of action that mothers do not wish to take but are forced to do so sometimes. But should that choice really be theirs, or can the State legislate whether or not this step to circumvent responsibility is good or bad?
Daunting enough as this might be for the person undergoing the abortion, one can understand the stand that the Republicans take when it comes to cutting funding for abortions (Read more at this news link).
Yet these so-called moral choices made by a woman is really nobodys business and shouldnt be utilized as an important topic to gain votes in elections. To me, its an invasion of ones private choices and thats just as absurd as saying marijuana is just as bad or even worse than cigarettes and liquor.
However, a normal pregnancy also has its hazards, and perhaps one of the most important issues that babies deal with is in the form of Neural tube defects (NTDs) namely Spina Bifida and Anencephaly that can be prevented by the consumption of foods that contain Folic Acid.
Folic Acid
Medically known as Vitamin B9, folic acid is a part of the complex Vitamin B complex group that is essential to ensure that the metabolic processes of the body are functioning optimally. Its presence in our body is in the form of tetrahydrofolic acid among others but not as folic acid itself.
In general, the primary purpose of having enough folic acid in our body is due to the fact that it is a primary component in RNA and DNA synthesis while also producing and maintaining cells in our body.
Scientists have also discovered that the increased levels of folic acid can play a big part in protecting the human body from a variety of diseases while also helping women in the United States to bear strong children during their pregnancies.
Benefits of Folic Acid
#1: Neural tube development in Pregnancy
Keeping the folate levels up in a womans body during pregnancy avoids almost 50 to 70 percent of NTDs since the fortification provided by the daily recommended limit of 400 mcg of folic acid is enough to prevent the malformation of the skull, spine and the brain. (Read information at this link to find out more.)
Specifically, Folic acid has been found to develop the aforementioned areas in the child, thus clearly underlining the importance of folic acid by every pregnant mother.
#2: Prevention of several diseases such as:
a. Cardiovascular disease b. Rheumatoid arthritis c. Stroke d. Obesity e. Cancer (although the link between cancer and folic acid appear to be a complex one) f. Schizophrenia g. Depression h. Allergic diseases such as atopy, wheeze and asthma.
#3: Plays an important role in the treatment of disorders such as:
a. cancer b. mental agility and memory c. fertility d. Type 1 diabetes mellitus e. bone health f. menopause g. anemia associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency
So where does anyone who might be dealing with these disorders find sources of folic acid?
Sources of Folic Acid
Most doctors suggest that supplements are the best option for mothers or patients struggling with these conditions as the folic acid present in foods is easily destroyed when cooked.
However, fruits such as papaya and kiwifruits and vegetables such as parsnips, asparagus, cabbage, spinach, brussel sprouts and broccoli are all said to contain folates in sufficient quantities.
When it comes to meat-based products, your first choices would be Bovril, cooked liver and kidney.
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