Benefits of folic acid

• helps your body transport more oxygen, according to scientists
• can improve your intelligence, memory, and information processing speed, study claims
• contributes to DNA creation and repair, scientists say
• may significantly reduce your risks of getting certain cancers, research shows
• may help you reduce depression symptoms and avoid mental disorders, according to the study.

Folic acid helps your body transport more oxygen

Folic acid is an indispensable part of your body’s energy-producing processes since it helps turn foods into glucose and then into energy. With sufficient amounts of folic acid, your body can take more oxygen and thus, maintain your respiration and energy level.

Though, this vitamin deficiency can be harmful in terms of energy level. Lack of folic acid can be a reason for megaloblastic anemia — a blood disorder when your red blood cells become bigger than average. It can make you weak and tired easily, disturbing your productive attitude.

Source: Mount Sinai: Health Library Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)

Folic acid may improve your intelligence, memory, and information processing speed

Want to show off your brilliant skills to your colleague and boss? Then folic acid supplements may help you with that. Researchers have found that taking folic acid in the long term can significantly improve full-scale intelligence by reducing inflammation within the brain cells. Meanwhile, a sufficient amount of folic acid in your blood can enhance your memory and speed up information processing.

Source: US National Library of Medicine: Folic acid supplementation improves cognitive function by reducing the levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines in elderly Chinese subjects with MCI

Folic acid may help you reduce depression symptoms and avoid mental disorders

Constant stressors surrounding you at work and daily life can stand on your way to a focused and productive workflow. In turn, folic acid may be efficient for maintaining healthy cognition and mind. Research shows folic acid has a substantial impact on your mood and cognitive health. A low level of folic acid may lead to depression and cognitive decline. It also causes anemia that impairs your brain performance — taking it as a supplement is shown to reduce depression symptoms and relieve severe mental disorders.

Source: US National Library of Medicine: Folic acid, aging, depression, and dementia

Folic acid may significantly reduce your risks of getting certain cancers

Scientists claim that folic acid contributes to the synthesis and repair of DNA cells, and its deficiency may contribute to the development of certain cancers. At the same time, a decent amount of folic acid may significantly reduce your risks of getting them. Thus, taking this vitamin as a supplement may help you maintain your wellbeing and protect your cells from mutations.

Source: UAB Nutrition Trends: Folic Acid and Cancer: Too Much of a Good Thing?

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, the most active and synthetic version of folate or vitamin B9, occurring in certain foods and supplements. Its molecules are necessary for energy metabolism, helping convert foods into glucose. The human body doesn’t produce folic acid, so you should obtain it with your diet.