Folic acid is essential to a process that clears a substance called homocysteine from the blood. High homocysteine levels have been linked with increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Low levels of folic acid may play a role in cancer development, particularly cancers of the cervix, lung, and colon. Lack of folic acid, and the resulting increase in homocysteine levels, weakens bones, making them more likely to fracture. Depression and other mental problems.
Folic acid is important for brain function.
It helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. Increasing levels of folic acid has reversed negative mental or psychological symptoms in some people, particularly older people. Folic acid has a mild antidepressant effect, and taking folic acid supplements has been shown to improve the effect of the drug Prozac. Dietary Sources Foods that contain a significant amount of folic acid include liver, lentils, rice germ, brewer's yeast, soy flour, black-eyed peas, navy beans, kidney beans, peanuts, spinach, turnip greens, lima beans, whole wheat, and asparagus. Storing food at room temperature for long periods of time can also destroy its folic acid content.