Folic Acid!

Folic acid, otherwise known as vitamin B9, or folate (or if you're feeling zealous, Pteroylglutamic acid), is an essential nutrient for us humans. We need it for the proper formation of DNA as well as for the formation of heme. Heme is the part of our red blood cells that carries the iron, and therefore makes the cells red. If we don't have a sufficient amount of folic acid (and thus heme), it can impair the maturation of red blood cells, resulting in anemia.

Folic acid is also vital for neural tube development during pregnancy. The neural tube forms the brain and the spinal cord of the fetus. A deficient intake of this vitamin by the mother can result in a premature birth and/or neural tube defects in the baby.

Unfortunately, folic acid is one of the most common vitamins in which to be deficient. Perhaps the easiest way to get your RDA of the stuff is from a fortified cereal. Other great sources include liver, cowpeas, spinach, asparagus, great northern beans, green peas, broccoli, avocado, orange juice, and peanuts.

So, incase you were feeling extra cold this winter (or are still feeling extra cold!), this could be due to what you're eating. Maybe you're not getting enough iron or maybe you're lacking in the folic acid department. You may also be lacking sufficient vitamin B12, as all three of these nutrients are absolutely essential for healthy red blood cells, but we'll save B12 for another post. :)