Folic Acid for Healthy Homocysteine Levels

Now Foods Folic Acid with Vitamin B-12 supports healthy homocysteine levels and cardiovascular health.

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate found in supplements.

An estimated 20% of the US population suffers from some form of folic acid deficiency.

Folic acid helps produce and maintain new cells, something which is especially important during infancy and pregnancy.

Folate is needed to produce DNA and RNA, the building blocks of cells.

Both adults and children require folic acid to produce normal red blood cells and reduce the risk of anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen to your tissues and carbon dioxide or waste away from your tissues.

Folate is also essential for the metabolism of homocysteine and helps maintain normal levels of this amino acid, or protein building block.

As well as increasing the risk for atherosclerosis, blood clotting, vascular disease, high homocysteine levels play a part in stroke, dementia and Alzheimers disease.

High levels may also be a risk factor for osteoporosis-related fractures in older people.

Meanwhile, pregnant women need additional amounts of Vitamin B-12 and folic acid during pregnancy.

Vitamin B-12 is carried through the placenta to the baby to help develop the childs brain and spinal cord.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that women begin taking folic acid before conception, as it reduces the risk of birth defects associated with early pregnancy, including spina bifida, a spinal column defect, and anencephaly, a condition where the babys brain and skull do not fully develop.

Women need 500 mcg of folic acid daily when they are pregnant and 600 mcg while they are breastfeeding.

In addition to 800 mcg of folic acid, Nows Folic Acid contains 25 mcg of Vitamin B-12 for synergistic effect and quick absorption.