Why every man should take this female vitamin
New research shows men need folic acid as much as women do - and it has nothing to do with babies.
spinach leaves in the Sixties and was found to be essential in the prevention of anaemia (it helps make healthy red blood cells) and, later, of neural tube defects in unborn babies.
The latest research, from a 21-year U.S. study, suggests that folic acid could cut men's risk of a stroke by one-fifth.
Although most women know folic acid is important during pregnancy, how many men are aware of its benefit to them?
WHAT IS FOLIC ACID?
Also known as folate, folic acid is a member of the family of B vitamins. In fact, in many body processes it works alongside other B vitamins. Its best known use is in preventing neural tube defects (such as spina bifida) in babies, which is why women trying to get pregnant are advised to take it.
Folic acid is essential for the formation of DNA - the blueprint at the heart of every one of our cells.
It is also used in the body to reduce the levels of the substance homocysteine in the blood. This amino acid may irritate blood vessels, leading to blockages in the arteries (atherosclerosis).
High levels can also interact badly with cholesterol and make blood clot more easily than it should.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Folic acid is crucial not only for a healthy baby but also for a healthy heart. An U.S. study, which took 21 years to compile and included 10,000 subjects, has shown that both men and women who eat a diet rich in folic acid reduce their risk of cardiovascular problems.
They are 20 per cent less likely to have a stroke and 13 per cent less likely to have a heart attack, and their blood pressure and cholesterol levels are lower.
Folic acid was first isolated from
The new research highlights the fact that folic acid does much more than this, reducing the risk in both men and women of cardiovascular problems.
Low levels of folic acid and high levels of homocysteine have also been associated with depression, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and cancer of the colon.
RICH FOOD SOURCES
The name of this vitamin comes from the Latin folium, meaning 'leaf', and leafy vegetables are a good source of it, especially spinach, kale and chard.
Other foods high in folate are broccoli, asparagus, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, wholegrain cereals, oranges, wheatgerm, walnuts and liver.
If you are living on a diet consisting mainly of processed food, such as sugary cereal for breakfast, white bread sandwich for lunch and pasta or a take-away in the evening, you could be missing out on folic acid.
Certain breads and cereals are fortified with folic acid, which means it is added to them when they are being made.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol, as well as certain medications, can interfere with the absorption of folic acid and the way it is used in the body - yet another reason to keep your intake within reasonable limits.
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