"Folate, a water-soluble B vitamin, recently emerged as an important nutritional factor that appears to play an important role in the 'development] of several human disorders in humans including 'some anemias,] cardiovascular disease ...neural tube 'in pregnancy] and other congenital defects, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and ...psychiatric disorders.

"An accumulating body of evidence over the past decade suggests that folate may also play a significant role in the development and prevention several malignancies including cancer of the colon and rectum, lungs, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, 'etc.]..."

The report cites evidence of these findings and concludes, "The role of folate has greatly evolved over the past two decades from the prevention of anemia to the prevention of cardiovascular disease and neural tube defects. Accumulating evidence suggests that folate can also play a role in the prevention of cancer."

"Folate Helps Prevent Cancer, Heart Disease & Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, and That's Just For Starters" Source

From: The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 133, 2003. By: Young-In Kim, Departments of Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, U. of Toronto, and Div. of Gastroenterology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

DETAILS: Folate, also called folic acid, has a required intake of 400 micrograms. One can get this much in most multiple vitamin tablets thus a separate pill is not necessary. Also, having at least four dark green leafy vegetables a day is good health policy, and provides the folate required.