Folate, also called vitamin B9, is a nutrient that helps to produce and maintain new cells, and it’s especially important during cell division . Folic acid technically refers to the synthetic form of folate – either in enriched foods or vitamin supplements.
It is an important nutrient for women who are pregnant, or trying to conceive. Research on women suggests that folate deficiencies may lead to an abnormal number of chromosomes in cells.
At least 400 µg is recommended for women planning a pregnancy and for the first three months of pregnancy. This is an important diet tweak for expectant mums.
However, research also suggests that fathers’ folate levels are also important for healthy foetal development.
Folate and male fertility
According to research published in Human Reproduction, there is substantial evidence to support the role of the micronutrient folate in the maintenance of normal sperm development and maturation.
The researchers recruited 97 healthy men of varying age with no current reproductive or fertility problems who provided information on their diet, lifestyle and supplement intake.
The men with a high total folate intake experienced 18–30% lower frequencies of several types of sperm aneuploidy (abnormal number of chromosomes) compared to men with lower folate intake.
According to the researchers, this study shows there is a significant, inverse relationship between daily folate intake and the frequency of abnormal numbers of chromosomes in sperm in healthy men across a wide age range. This includes folate derived from both dietary and supplementary sources.
Folic acid benefits
Not only does folate support fertility and reproduction, it has a range of other benefits:
- Heart health - supports heart health by lowering hom*ocysteine levels
- Mood and brain health - helps support normal cognition and balanced mood
