The importance of folic acid in present medicine

Lately, folic acid deficiency is gaining a predominant role in the pathogen esis of congenital malformations and cardiovascular diseases in adults. The planning of individual and population preventive strategies for these dise ases must consider this deficiency. This paper reviews the anatomical, bioc hemical and molecular bases of neural tube defects and cardiovascular disea ses in adults. In these two frequent diseases, folic acid supplementation h as shown a clear cut protective effect.