Folic Acid: The Secret Behind Spinach

How many times have you been told that spinach is good for you? And remember Popeye? Without question, this is 100% accurate. Spinach is a fantastic energy food mainly due to its abundance of folic acid. In order for your body to grow strong and maintain lean muscle tissue, it needs plenty of folic acid. There is even a research that is showing good signs that folic acid can prevent heart disease.

Every cell of your body will be gone by next week, with new cells replacing them. It is almost as if the human body is regenerating itself, or rather, re-creating itself – literally. And without folic acid, this would be impossible. Your body would not be able to effectively re-create the cells that are lost every day, especially the red blood cells.

Keeping your muscles strong and your body in constant repair is not the only benefit that folic acid contributes to. Amazingly enough, research is being done that shows folic acid to be a prime candidate in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and even birth defects. The studies have been so conclusive that many standard foods, such as breads and cereals, have had extra folic acid added to them in order to attract more health conscience customers.

Folic acid deficiency

Although folic acid is abundant in many foods, you might be at risk for a deficiency if you fall into the following groups of people:

1. Women who take birth control pills: When you go on the pill, it typically depletes many of your B vitamins, including folic acid. Supplementation will probably be your doctor's first choice.

2. Men and women who are over the age of 60: The same case always holds true for many elderly people, and that is, they do not get enough nutrition in their diet. Because of poor nutrition, folic acid deficiency is common.

3. People who drink too much: There really is no need to go into how bad overindulgence in alcohol can be on the body. It is just common sense. However, it is important to note that drinking too much depletes the body of most all of the B vitamin family, especially folic acid.

4. People who smoke: Just like alcoholics, smoking depletes your body of all the B vitamins. And you do not have to be a heavy smoker to experience a folic acid deficiency. Even secondhand smoke can play a role in your body's depletion of important vitamins and minerals.

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