Folic Acid

by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu

Folic acid, also called folacin, and incorrectly called folate (salt of folic acid).  It is also called vitamin B_c. It is a yellowish-orange compound, C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆, of the vitamin B complex group, occurring in green plants, fresh fruit, liver, and yeast.

It is an important vitamin for pregnant women for lowering the risk of neural tube defects , which are birth defects of the baby's brain or spine .  When taken with vitamin B₆  and B₁₂, lowers the homocysteine in the blood. The elevation of homocysteine increases the risk of blood vessel damaging and blood clots.

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CDC