The Benefits of Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Folate has many functions. Like Vitamin B7, it helps prevent birth defects in babies if consumed during pregnancy. It may also slow the effects of age on the brain. Folic acid helps create red blood cells and repair DNA. It can help prevent Alzheimer's and some forms of cancer.

You can get plenty of folic acid in your diet by eating greens like broccoli and green beans, leafy greens like spinach, papaya, lima beans, asparagus, avocado, and squash. Citrus fruits, strawberries, nuts, seeds, beef liver, eggs and legume also provide folic acid, as does brown rice, wheat germ and fortified grains. Fortified foods contain Folic Acid, the synthesized version of Folate.

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Disclaimer:

For best results, fresh, organic foods are recommended. Foods are most nutritious in their raw form, unless heating is required.
Food sources are recommended over supplements, but in the event you must use supplements, be sure to purchase them from a reputable source. In the U.S., supplements are not regulated by the FDA.
"Everything in moderation" is a good rule of thumb. Don't shock your system by eating dozens of apples (or anything) in one day. A balanced, yet varied diet is the goal.
As with medicine, there are no guarantees. Preventative steps can help prevent illness and possibly prolong lives, but there are many contributing factors and variables which can sometimes produce unexpected results.
Do research and consult your physician before making any serious changes to your diet. Discuss any allergies or concerns you may have.
The information presented here is based on my research and years of note-taking. What started as a short list of cures for friends and family has grown into a full and very complex database, yet is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of eating healthy foods. This list is a work in progress and by no means complete. My goal is to help people suffering from various ailments, with a secondary goal of spreading the news about the miraculous healing power of foods. Use this information as a launchpad into your new healthy life.