Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate (vitamin B9) – an essential vitamin that the body cannot produce on its own. As an important vitamin for the human body, folic acid must be obtained through the diet to meet the body’s daily needs. Good sources of vitamin B9 include – beef liver, spinach, cabbage, avocado, broccoli, rice, bread and eggs. While the terms folic acid and folate are often used interchangeably, the two are different. Folic acid has a different structure and slightly different biological effects than folate (vitamin B9). Unlike folate, not all of the folic acid a person takes in is converted to an active form called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). The body uses vitamin B9 for many important functions, such as: Creating and repairing DNA; Supporting cell division and cell growth; Production and maturation of red blood cells; Conversion of homocysteine ​​to methionine Although the benefits of folic acid for women and pregnancy are well known, folic acid provides some benefits for men as well. Some research suggests that taking folic acid supplements may benefit depressed men who have low blood folate levels, especially when combined with conventional antidepressants. Mental health disorders are common and affect around 15% of men. Some research shows that patients with mental disorders, such as depression, have lower levels of vitamin B9 in their blood than people without depression. For example, a review of 43 studies involving more than 35,000 people found that depressed patients often had lower folate levels and generally consumed less vitamin B9 through their diet than people without depression. Another review, including 6 studies and 966 people, found that taking folic acid supplements along with antidepressants can reduce symptoms of depression significantly more than taking antidepressants alone. However, more research is needed to investigate the relationship between folic acid and the treatment of mental health disorders such as depression before recommendations can be made. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting men more frequently. One risk factor for heart disease is high blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that is a byproduct of protein digestion. Folate plays an essential role in the metabolism of homocysteine ​​and helps keep its levels low in the body. Thus, folate deficiency can increase homocysteine ​​levels in the blood and potentially cause a condition known as hyperhomocysteinemia. Conversely, research shows that folic acid intake can lower homocysteine ​​levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It has also been proventhat folic acid intake reduces other risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure. Folic acid can also improve blood flow, thereby promoting heart health. Bibliography: Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). Folate National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Mental Illness National Library of Medicine (NLM). Ansley Bender, Kelsey E Hagan, Neal Kingston. The association of folate and depression: A meta-analysis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Men and Heart Disease National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Wen-Wen Wang, Xin-Shi Wang, Zeng-Rui Zhang, Jin-Cai He, Cheng-Long Xie. A Meta-Analysis of Folic Acid in Combination with Anti-Hypertension Drugs in Patients with Hypertension and Hyperhomocysteinemia Healthline. Folic Acid for Men: Benefits, Side Effects, and More