Vitamin B9: a brief overview
Vitamin B9 belongs to the large and diverse group of B vitamins.
This water-soluble vitamin is produced naturally by the body but only in small amounts. It therefore needs to be obtained from the diet too, or from supplementation.
Its role in the formation of blood and metabolism of homocysteine
Vitamin B9 plays an active part in many of the body’s functions. In particular, it supports healthy blood production, especially red blood cells. Indeed, deficiency in folic acid results in abnormalities in red blood cell development (1).
It is also involved in the synthesis of amino acids (2). In addition, folic acid supports the conversion of homocysteine, in combination with a specific enzyme. Excess levels of the amino acid homocysteine is damaging to health (increasing the risk of cardiovascular and neurological problems) (3-4).
Folic acid and psychological stability
Vitamin B9 has a recognised role in maintaining good psychological function. A lack of folic acid may increase irritability, difficulty in concentrating and headaches...
It is also invaluable in helping to combat fatigue.
Vitamin B9 plays a crucial role during pregnancy
The reason folic acid is so important before and during pregnancy is the crucial role it plays in cell division. It’s thought vitamin B9 helps to increase red blood cells in expectant mothers, and support healthy placenta formation and growth of the baby.
Vitamin B9 also encourages the natural growth of maternal tissue during pregnancy, namely the uterus and breasts.
Lastly, supplementing with folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the baby.
Folates to support the immune system
Deficiency in vitamin B9 destabilises the cell cycle: this can be seen in immune cells. A lack of folic acid prevents the growth and circulation of T lymphocytes.
These leukocytes or white cells are responsible for cellular immunity: they destroy infected cells. A fall in lymphocyte numbers can be reversed by regulating the body’s folic acid levels (5).
Which foods contain vitamin B9?
Vitamin B9 is found in many foods:
- chicken liver;
- boiled asparagus;
- avocados;
- pulses (broad beans, kidney beans...);
- nuts including hazelnuts;
- brie;
- aromatic herbs, etc. (6)
Folic acid supplements
Vitamin B9 supplementation is recommended in cases of deficiency or in women trying to conceive. Be sure to seek guidance from your doctor. Good supplement choices include SuperFolate, which contains a form of folate that’s particularly well-absorbed by the body.
For a broader B vitamin intake, you could try Coenzymated B Formula, a complex that contains the complete range of B vitamins in their co-enzymated form.
References
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to folate and blood formation (ID 79), homocysteine metabolism (ID 80), energy‐yielding metabolism (ID 90), function of the immune system (ID 91), function of blood vessels (ID 94, 175, 192), cell division (ID 193), and maternal tissue growth during pregnancy (ID 2882) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2009; 7( 9):1213. [22 pp.].
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to folate and contribution to normal psychological functions (ID 81, 85, 86, 88), maintenance of normal vision (ID 83, 87), reduction of tiredness and fatigue (ID 84), cell division (ID 195, 2881) and contribution to normal amino acid synthesis (ID 195, 2881) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal 2010; 8( 10):1760. [19 pp.].Martínez-González MA, García-López M, Bes-Rastrollo M, et al. Mediterranean diet and the incidence of cardiovascular disease: a Spanish cohort. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2011;21(4):237-244.
- Clarke R, Daly L, Robinson K, et al. Hyperhomocysteinemia: an independent risk factor for vascular disease. N Engl J Med. 1991;324(17):1149-1155. doi:10.1056/NEJM199104253241701
- Giovanni Ravaglia, Paola Forti, Fabiola Maioli, Mabel Martelli, Lucia Servadei, Nicoletta Brunetti, Elisa Porcellini, Federico Licastro, Homocysteine and folate as risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer disease, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 82, Issue 3, September 2005, Pages 636–643.
- Courtemanche C, Elson-Schwab I, Mashiyama ST, Kerry N, Ames BN. Folate deficiency inhibits the proliferation of primary human CD8+ T lymphocytes in vitro. J Immunol. 2004;173(5):3186-3192.
- Table Ciqual. ANSES. Consulté en août 2020.
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4 Days
Excellent online site
Excellent online site, efficient and quick delivery. A great experience.
Chris
7 Days
I’m really happy with your products, but…
I’m really happy with your products. Indeed, I’ve been a customer of SuperSmart for a long time. However, I believe that lately you’ve made a significant mistake in choosing Poste Italiane for your deliveries. Poste Italiane is now over loaded and assigns the deliveries to small local companies that have grown like mushrooms because of this business. However, the service they provide is very poor. They let you know about the delivery date just the evening before, with no time to organize yourself, many times you receive a message saying that they tried to deliver but you were not home and in reality they haven’t come at all and, when they do come, you open the door of the building ( I live on the 3rd floor) and when you get downstairs they have already left, leaving the pack inside but right behind the glass door instead of at least putting it on top or under the letterbox. This is not just a one time event but it’s their way of proceeding. It would be worth hiring a professional currier. Thanks
Olga Gladys Del Signore
8 Days
Good products
Good products, fast service
Mrs I Heinrich
14 Days
Quality products and fast shipping.
Quality products and fast shipping.
JF
16 Days
Everything is great. Keep up
Your product and service is great that's why i ordered again.
KOSMATOS Stamatios
20 Days
everything as expected
the products work and the processes to support them also
Ruggero Benedetto
21 Days
Excellent products always up to date…
Excellent products always up to date with the latest developments.
Olga Gladys Del Signore
25 Days
Great service
Great service, exceptional delivery time.
Chris
28 Days
Excellent quality of Super Smart
I’ve used Super Smart products for a long time and since the very beginning I have been absolutely keen about their punctuality in delivering but, most of all, I appreciate the quality of their products and the constant updates following the results of proven research.
Olga Gladys Del Signore
30 Days
Slow post
You have a very good range of quality products, and service is usually good. However delivery was slow due to using the national postage company. Correos. Regards David
David Walsh
30 Days
The service is extremely good
The service is extremely good. Earlier we had to wait for more than a week for the delivery. The speed has improved. Very happy with all the service.
SHERINE Mathew
31 Days
Good Quality!
I have purchased several products from Super Smart & always find the supplements very good quality.
SM
34 Days
Fast and efficient
Fast and efficient delivery. Nice products.
Jean-Michel Gaspoz