Introduction

Vitamins are essential for the body's functions. They regulate the metabolism and assist in many of the biochemical processes. Vitamins are considered "micronutrients", as the body needs them in relatively small amounts.

In 1941, a substance extracted from spinach leaves and named folic acid from the Latin word "folium" for leaf was found to be effective in the treatment of anemia.

Folic acid is the parent compound of a large group of naturally occurring, structurally related compounds collectively known as the folates.

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin; it is dissolved in water. The vitamin is absorbed from the small intestine, carried by the bloodstream and stored in the body, but not in significant amounts. 7 mg are stored in the liver and other tissues but they can supply the deficiency only for a few months. The body uses what it needs and excretes what is in extra through urine.

That is why a regular intake of this vitamin helps avoid deficiency.