A Healing Nutrient Profile: Folate

...is crucial for DNA replication and cell division. All people need folate but it’s especially important for pregnant women because it helps prevent fetal birth defects of the brain and spine. Our bodies also use folate to metabolize homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood that may contribute to heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Because of these essential functions, low intakes of folate have been linked to a long list of diverse problems including heart attacks and stroke; certain cancers, including those of the colon, lungs, pancreas, and breast; osteoporosis; depression; and dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are studying the effects of folate intake and folic acid supplementation on these and other conditions.

How Much Folate Do You Need?

The recommended dietary allowance for folate from food is:

• 400 mcg for adults

• 600 mcg for women who are pregnant

• 500 mcg for women who are breastfeeding

It’s quite possible to get enough folate from food if you’re eating a healthy diet. There’s some evidence that folic acid supplements may contribute to cancer and heart disease, so supplementation is not widely recommended for the general public.

However, naturally occurring folate from food isn’t as easy for your body to use as folic acid from supplements or fortified foods, so women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant are advised to get 400 mcg of folic acid from daily prenatal vitamins and fortified foods to ensure adequate intake of the nutrient. Some doctors recommend that women continue taking prenatal vitamins if they’re breastfeeding.

You may need more than the RDA for your lifestage if you’re a woman carrying or nursing more than one baby, if you’re a chronic heavy drinker or if you’re on certain chronic medications. Beware, however: Most of us should get no more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid from supplements and fortified foods because levels higher can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.

If you’re severely deficient in folate, a form of anemia can result and cause symptoms like weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability and headaches. A blood test for homocysteine, which is elevated with inadequate folic acid intake, serum folate or red blood cell folate may be done to find out if you’re lacking in the nutrient.

Where Can You Get Folate?

Folate is found in dark green vegetables, beans and legumes, dairy products, poultry, meat, eggs and seafood. Since 1998, all enriched grain products (like breads, pastas, flours, breakfast cereals and rice) have been fortified with folic acid, so these and other fortified foods are a rich source of the nutrient.

Some of our favorite non-fortified foods that contain folate:

Spinach, cooked Serving Size: 1 cup Amount of Folate: 266 mcg

Beef liver, braised Serving Size: 3 oz Amount of Folate: 215 mcg

Lentils Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount of Folate: 179 mcg

Asparagus Serving Size: 1 cup Amount of Folate: 178 mcg

Collards, cooked Serving Size: 1 cup Amount of Folate: 177 mcg

Turnip greens, cooked Serving Size: 1 cup Amount of Folate: 170 mcg

Romaine Serving Size: 2 cups Amount of Folate: 154 mcg

Broccoli, cooked Serving Size: 1 cup Amount of Folate: 154 mcg

Pinto beans Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount of Folate: 147 mcg

Garbanzo beans Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount of Folate: 141 mcg

Black beans Serving Size: ½ cup Amount of Folate: 128 mcg

Okra, cooked Serving Size: 1/2 cup Amount of Folate: 134 mcg

Artichoke Serving Size: 1 medium Amount of Folate: 87 mcg

Hardboiled egg Serving Size: 1 large Amount of Folate: 22 mcg

Halibut Serving Size: 3 oz Amount of Folate: 12 mcg

You can look up the folate content of other foods by referencing the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.