5 Health Benefits of Folic Acid for Men: What To Know

Folic Acid Benefits for Men

You may be wondering to yourself, ‘Can men take folic acid?’ and the answer is a resounding yes. Folic acid is a very important nutrient for men because it is involved in a host of bodily and mental processes.

Take a look at some of the most important benefits of folic acid for men:

May Help Support Men's Fertility

Men who are trying to conceive a child should be especially interested in folic acid. According to the National Institutes of Health,

Scientific evidence suggests that folic acid supplementation may improve male fertility by promoting DNA methylation during spermatogenesis.

The study goes on to say that folic may be a viable treatment for male infertility because it appears to positively impact sperm motility.

May Help Support Cardiovascular Health

Folic acid has also been shown to help the body break down and metabolize homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid that when left unchecked, could damage the function of healthy arteries.

Therefore, folic acid has been deemed essential to arterial and cardiovascular health by leading medical authorities.

May Help Support Depression Relief

Did you know that about 4% of adult males are estimated to suffer from depression? And while women tend to experience depression much more regularly than men, it’s the males who are at most risk of acting on depression and dying from it.

That’s why folic acid for men is so important. Studies have shown that adequate levels of folic acid in the system can drastically reduce feelings of depression and support chemical balance in the brain to lower the prevalence of depression and anxious thoughts.

May Help Support Hair Growth

It should be noted that up to now, there hasn’t been a direct link established between hair growth and folic acid intake. However, folic acid has been observed to produce methionine in the body which is important for repairing and regenerating hair cells.

Furthermore, men who experience hair loss also often exhibit low folic acid levels. Therefore it is believed that while folic acid alone may not be able to treat hair loss, it can at least slow it down or is vital to its overall treatment.

Should Folic Acid Be Taken Every Day?

The short answer to this question is yes. If you have been told by a doctor that you are folate deficient or you simply want to add more folic acid to your diet, you should be consistent and take folic acid every day.

The main reason men should take folic acid every day is that even though it is a water-soluble nutrient, the body does not store folate well. Folate is a bit too delicate and does not maintain well in your system.

Folic acid on the other hand is a bit more stout but it still needs to be taken every day to have the desired effects. Most leading medical authorities agree that men should get about 400 micrograms of folate every day.

Where Can You Find Folic Acid?

As with most other nutrients, it is best to get your folic acid from the foods you eat. Luckily, there is no shortage of foods that are folate-rich.

Here is a list of some foods that you can start eating right now that will boost your folate levels:

• Leafy Greens - Dark leafy greens like kale collard greens, and spinach are great sources of dietary folate.
• Citrus Fruits - Try having some grapefruit in the morning or adding some fresh blueberries to your salad for an instant folate boost. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, kiwis, and pineapple are great sources of folate.
• Broccoli - Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli offer a good amount of folate. In fact, just a half cup of broccoli is estimated to contain about 28 micrograms of folate. Broccoli and cauliflower are also beneficial to liver function and can help repair damaged cells.
• Squash - Try adding more squash, zucchini and pumpkin to your diet as these foods are also good sources of folate.
• Seeds & Nuts - Snack on cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds, or have some chia seeds with your yogurt for a quick boost of folate.
• Beets - Beets are not only a good source of folate (about 148 micrograms per serving) they are also an excellent source of nitrates. Nitrates can help boost blood flow by increasing nitric oxide levels in the blood and expanding the blood vessels. So not only are beets a great way to increase your daily folate intake, but they are also great for keeping your heart healthy.

READ ALSO - Folate vs. Folic Acid: How Do They Different?