Also called folate, folic acid is needed for healthy blood and the development of a healthy baby, and possibly has a role in maintaining a healthy heart.
Sources
Green leafy vegetables, liver and kidney, some pulses. Some breakfast cereals are fortified with folic acid so are also useful sources. Folate is readily destroyed in cooking, particularly in water, so using the minimum amount of water and a short cooking time will reduce losses.
The recommended daily amount is 200 micrograms for adults and children over the age of 5. There is some evidence of toxicity at very high doses.
Women who are planning to become pregnant, or who are in its early stages are advised to take a 400mg supplement of folic acid each day, and eat plenty of folate-rich foods to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the developing baby.
