Folate (Folic Acid)
Benefits of Folate
- Psychological function
- Pregnancy
- Energy
- Blood formation
- Immune system
- Form: Calcium-L-Methylfolate
- Food source: Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, chickpeas, lentils, beans, oranges and fortified breakfast cereals.
What is Folate?
Folic Acid is part of the B-Vitamin family and is also known as 'Vitamin B9'. It works alongside and in balance with other B vitamins. Folic Acid is the supplemental form of the nutrient 'Folate', which is found in food. Both Folic Acid and Folate are converted in the body, through several enzyme steps, into the active form, 'methylfolate'.
What does Folate do?
Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis, and amino acids are important to a whole range of bodily processes. Folate also has a role in the process of cell division. It is needed for the synthesis of DNA and the replication of new cells, so each time a cell in our body divides, folate is required. This is also why it's so important during pregnancy: folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy, when tissue is growing quickly and the demand for folate is much higher.
Folate contributes to normal blood formation. It plays a role in the creation of new red blood cells, which transport oxygen around the body. This is another reason it matters during pregnancy, as the volume of blood circulating in the mother increases. Folate also contributes to normal psychological function, and researchers have reviewed folate in relation to mood. Like other B vitamins, folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and it contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Discover 'A nutritionist recommended pregnancy diet guide'.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is 'The Energy Vitamin' and is essential for the production of red blood cells, fuelling our energy and helping maintain a healthy heart.
Inositol
Inositol is a type of sugar produced by our kidneys and used throughout our body, in particular in our brain and in cell membranes, and it influences the effectiveness of insulin.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 contributes to normal energy metabolism, the normal functioning of the nervous system, our psychological function and our heart health.
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 supports our brain function by helping transport messages through it, and in breaking down the foods we eat into energy which it supplies to the brain.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 contributes to energy production. It helps convert the food that we eat into energy that we use throughout our day.
Vitamin D3
Our plant-based Vitamin D3 is sourced from green algae that provides more effective D3, making it better for you and our planet.
Bifidobacterium Lactis
Bifidobacterium digests the fibre you consume in your diet and helps to produce other vital nutrients and vitamins in your body.
Copper
Copper is an essential nutrient which our body doesn’t produce, so we need to gain it in our diet. It supports a range of functions from our nervous and immune systems to the healthy colour of our hair.
