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FOLATE is an essential nutrient for pregnant women and those
planning to conceive.
Known to protect fetuses from preventable
disabilities. Now, recent clinical trials prove that folate has so
much more to offer to everyone, men included.
Folate, together with B vitamins, is important
in DNA synthesis that controls cell function, heredity and tissue
growth. It helps replace the old and worn out cells with new and
healthy cells especially those that are found in the skin, mouth and
intestine. Folate deficiency may cause poor growth, glossitis
swollen (tongue), mouth ulcers and peptic ulcers. Folate also helps
in red blood cell formation.
The United States Food and Drug Administration
has also cited folate’s role in helping prevent build-up of a
substance called homocysteine, an amino acid that is a risk factor
for atherosclerosis that causes heart attacks and strokes. Increased
intake of folic acid is a simple way to lower risk of cardiovascular
diseases.
Preliminary research also suggests that high
homocysteine levels can lead to the deterioration of
dopamine-producing brain cells and may therefore contribute to the
development of Parkinson’s disease.
Research teams in the Netherlands and the US
confirmed that low levels of folic acid in the diet significantly
increases risk of osteoporosis-related bone fractures.
As a response to the new findings, some industry
players have brought innovations in their products by introducing
folate-fortified food. Folate is naturally present in liver, yeast,
whole wheat, legumes and nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fruits
like orange, avocado and melon. For its part, Gardenia offers folate-enriched
bread that offers 60 percent of the daily requirement of folate with
just two slices of bread.
With its many benefits, we should make sure that
our loved ones get enough of this folate everyday.
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