Folic acid

Light micrograph of folic acid crystals. Folic acid (also known as Vitamin B9) is an important component of the diet as it is required for numerous cellular functions including synthesising DNA and DNA repair. It is also important for red blood cell production. A lack of folic acid can lead to neurotube defects in embryos and is thus particularly important during development, hence why it is recommended as a supplement for pregnant women. The name is derived from the Latin 'folium' (which means "leaf") and leafy vegetables are a good source of folic acid.