Vitamin B9 is also folic acid the most important water soluble B vitamins among the eight water-soluble B vitamins. As all B vitamins helps in converting carbohydrates to glucose, (the source of energies in the human body) it takes the lions share in doing that. These vitamins are referred as vitamin B complex and essential for breaking fats and proteins. It plays an important role in maintaining muscle tone and digestive system and promoting the health of the nervous system. It helps in developing healthy skins and hair at the same time it empowers eyes, livers, and mouth.
Vitamin B9 is vital for brain function and plays the most essential role in mental and emotional health. Folic acid helps in the production of the genetic material like DNA and RNA and it is especially important when high growth is required such as pregnancy, infancy and adolescence.
Folic acid or vitamin B9 works closely with other B vitamins in formation and regulation of red cells in blood and helps in proper function of iron in the body. It co-operates with vitamin B6 and B12 as well as with nutrients like betaine and S-adenosylmethionine to control levels of the amino acid. It is linked to certain chronic conditions such as heart disease and other possible disease, which may be depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Some recent research indicates that there is connection between high level of amino acid and cervical cancer.
Some recent studies found that women taking folic acid supplements during the first trimester reduce chances of having children with neural tube defects. In last few studies it is found in USA 19% of neural tube defects have decreases since the availability of FDA authorized fortification of with grains with folic acid. There is lot of information for vitamin B9 or folic acid and you can get with ease by searching on the internet or can also go for some health books for vitamins.