Folic acid goes by multiple names; Vitamin B9, folate, and obviously folic acid. As it would suggest, Folate is a member of the B-complex group of vitamins. As with all B-vitamins, folate plays a starring role in energy production and cellular metabolism within the body.
To be more precise, without folic acid, our bodies would not be able to effectively undergo the processes of RNA and DNA synthesis, both of which are essential during periods of substantial growth. Examples of such periods include when one undergoes puberty or pregnancy. By way of keeping homocysteine levels under control, folate may have a profound effect on mitigating the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even depression!
Aside from these standout examples of ways you can benefit from Folate, it has significant effects on both your skin and hair!
Continue reading for 15 folic acid benefits:
1. Acne Reduction
By way of aiding the process of eliminating toxins from your body, folate, in combination with other important antioxidants, can result in a significant reduction in acne on your face!
Acne is probably the most common condition of the skin and it’s quite a miserable experience that have to deal with it. It may be possible that the acne you have currently is actually a result of your body being deficient in folate!
By adding more foods that contain folate, such as cereals, leafy green vegetables, eggs, dried beans, and fruit, you’ll likely notice improvements in your acne symptoms.
It is important to note, though, that too much folate can backfire on you and you can end up with dry, patchy skin that can eventually lead to even more acne!
2. Attain A Healthy Glow
By supplementing your body’s normal intake with more folate, you may enjoy a more healthy, moisturized, and natural glow!
Be mindful to not take too much folate, though, as too much can lead to a number of unwanted side effects! Potential side effects of an overdose of folate include fatigue, rashes, seizures, and hypertension. It is best to check with your doctor if you are considering supplementing folate for your skin or hair, just in case.
3. Promotes Hair Growth
By way of bolstering the body’s cell production processes, folate has a profound effect on our bodies’ ability to grow a healthy head of hair.
By regularly supplementing folate, you may notice increased rates of hair growth. Supplementing folate may also prevent unwanted hair loss or hair thinning due to aging! Research has backed this claim, proving that a folate deficiency can result in excessive hair loss. It is a vital nutrient in regards to healthy hair growth and development.
Aside from playing a starring role in the growth rate of your hair, folate renews cells that aid in hair growth. Additional folic acid benefits include a reduction in the rate of premature graying!
4. It May Prevent Skin Cancer
By making sure you are getting adequate amounts of folate in your diet, you will be at a reduced risk of developing skin cancer! Researchers looked at folate intake in relation to the development of skin cancer and found that ensuring you are getting the required daily amount had a positive impact on skin cancer development. Either being deficient in folate or getting too much can result in your chances of developing skin cancer increasing, so it’s a good idea to check with a doctor to get your levels checked first to determine dosage.
5. Reduces Signs of Premature Skin Aging
Aside from improving the firmness of your skin, it may also help in reducing the signs of premature skin aging! Folate may keep you looking younger, longer!
When combined with the amino acid creatine, folate can improve the look of your skin by reducing fine lines and improving wrinkles! Folate also aids the body in maintaining adequate collagen production, which has numerous benefits of its own.
Aside from the folic acid benefits attained by consuming folate through either food sources or a multi-vitamin, topically applied folate may aid in reducing the signs of premature aging, according to some research studies.
6. Adds Volume and Shine to Your Hair
Folate has a profound effect on the health of your hair. By supplementing folate, you’ll likely notice that your hair appears more voluminous and has a healthier shine to it. You’re not imagining things either; folate aids in your body synthesizing the nutrients needed to keep your hair follicles healthy and nourished!
7. Protects Skin From Sun Damage
You skin is especially susceptible to the damaging ultra-violet radiation produced by the sun. As a result of prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful solar radiation, damage to skin cells’ DNA may occur, resulting in the abnormal duplication of skin cells that may lead to an increased risk in developing skin cancer.
Supplementing folate offers the benefit of maintaining adequate skin cell replication while also aiding in the repair of damaged DNA. Consider supplementing more folate in your diet for skin and hair health as it will protect you from sun and skin damage!
By way of repairing the damaged DNA in your skin cells while also improving the development of healthy new cells, folate supplementation can reverse damage caused by the sun.
8. Folate Promotes Healthly Nail Growth
A sure sign of a folate deficiency is thin, cracked, or short finger nails. By ensuring adequate intake of folate, your finger nails will remain strong, healthy, and beautiful!
By aiding in your body’s ability to produce new tissues and cells, folate can promote healthy nail growth. Try to eat more foods that are high in folate or consider taking a folate supplement regularly to promote optimal nail growth. It’s best to check with your doctor before taking any folate supplements, as too much can be dangerous!
If you would like nicer, longer, and healthier looking nails, then you should consider adding more folate to your diet. Your nails will likely become healthier and stronger as a result! Folate supplementation will promote nail, cell, and tissue growth.
If you are wanting to increase your intake of this essential vitamin, it is best to get it from food sources as opposed to supplementation, if possible.
9. Folate Is Important For Maintaining Glowing And Healthy Skin
Adequate folate intake is of utmost importance to attaining and maintaining healthy skin! Folate is a skin-friendly vitamin that, when supplemented, may result in healthier, glowing skin. Some natural sources of folate include broccoli, spinach, citrus fruits, peas, beans, Brussels spouts, avocado, cauliflower, nuts, corn, and carrots. In order to maintain healthy, radiant, glowing skin, adequate folate intake is necessary.
Numerous beauty benefits may be attained through the supplementation of folate! As has been mentioned previously, it is best to get this essential beauty vitamin from natural food sources if possible, though supplementing isn’t that big of a deal.
10. Folate May Firm Your Skin
Folate is considered an essential vitamin and should be a part of everyone’s diet! Essential for optimal growth of tissues, the development of healthy brain cells, and cell development, folate intake is vital.
Folate is especially good for your skin, as it can greatly improve its firmness. By taking in more folate, you’ll likely appear younger than your actual age due to a reduction in the signs of aging.
Folate is considered one of the best skin nutrients! If you want healthier, younger looking skin, then you should seriously consider upping your intake!
11. Folate Fights Skin Discoloration
A great benefit of maintaining adequate folate intake is that it can combat the occurrence of discoloration of the skin. Research indicates that folate may aid in reducing the symptoms of the condition known as vitiligio, which often occurs as a result of the destruction of melanin, which helps your body produce new skin cells.
Elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine may damage the production of cells in your body by way of increasing the occurrence of oxidative stress. Folate helps here by breaking down homocysteine.
Ensuring adequate intake of folate is one of the best things you can do in order to combat skin discoloration.
12. Folate May Prevent Hair Loss
Besides aiding in the maintenance of healthy cell production in the body, folate helps to prevent premature hair loss.
13. Folate Aids in Collagen Production
By supplementing folate, your body’s natural production of collagen will be bolstered! One of collagen’s most sought-after benefits is its great ability to promote vibrant, glowing skin. By way of improving skin elasticity, collagen can help you to appear more healthy and youthful!
As you move up in years, your natural production of collagen will decline, which may result in drier, looser skin, and fine lines. By increasing your collagen as a result of upping your folate intake, you can combat this!
In a recent study on collagen hydrolysate supplementation, those who took the supplement showed marked improvements in skin elasticity in as few as four weeks! In a similar study conducted soon after by the same manufacturer, increased collagen resulted in significantly fewer wrinkles in just 2 short months!
14. Folic Acid Prevents Premature Hair Graying
Being deficient in folic acid is one of the leading causes of premature graying of hair, after factoring in genetics. Adequate intake of folate also results in reduced occurrences of alopecia and baldness, as well as many other hair issues. In order to gain these folic acid benefits, try increasing your intake of folate rich foods such as red bell peppers, raspberries, oranges, mushrooms, black-eyed peas, asparagus, avocados, papayas, artichokes, spinach, and lentils.
15. May Reduce Cellulite
By increasing collagen production as a result of maintaining adequate folate levels, you may realize an improvement in the appearance of cellulite! Cellulite occurs when the layers of fat directly under the skin push up on connective tissues, resulting in lumpy or dimpled looking skin.
Folic acid has so many benefits for your skin and hair; you’d be making a huge mistake by not ensuring you’re getting at least the minimum amounts in your daily diet. Aside from the improvements in your skin and hair that you’re likely to see, numerous other health benefits are on offer. As long as you don’t go overboard, little risk is involved, but great rewards may be attained!
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