April 15, 2010 -- Foods rich in B vitamins such as folate and B-6 may reduce the risk of death from stroke and heart problems, Japanese researchers say.
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20100415/b-vitamins-reduce-strokes-and-heart-disease-deaths
Research shows folate (folic acid), another important component of the B-vitamins, is important for a healthy pregnancy, reducing your risk of serious birth defects of the spine and brain, also known as neural tube defects.
http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/b-vitamins-and-folate
1 Vitamin B12: Milk and dairy foods, meat, fish (especially salmon), poultry and eggs. 2  Folate: Orange juice, spinach, Romaine lettuce, broccoli, peanuts, avocado, enriched-grain products and fortified breakfast cereals.
http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/b-vitamins-and-folate
This test measures the levels of vitamin B12 and folate in your blood. Your body needs vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, and folate, also called folic acid, to function normally. Both nutrients play important roles in creating red blood cells and making DNA and RNA to help build cells. B12 also helps your nervous system function as it should. B12 is found in fortified cereals and animal products like fish, meat, eggs, and dairy. It's also in dietary supplements, as cyanocobalamin. Folate is found naturally in green leafy vegetables, fruits, and beans, and it's added to enriched cereals and grains. People who have pernicious anemia may have low B12 levels because this condition prevents them from absorbing B12.
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=167&ContentID=vitamin_b12_folate
1 Niacin: High-protein foods like peanut butter, beans, beef, poultry, fish, avocado and enriched and fortified grain products. 2  Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Baked potato, banana, beef, fortified cereals, whole grains, nuts, beans, pork, chicken and fish.
http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/b-vitamins-and-folate
Other laboratory tests that may be used to help detect B12 and folate deficiencies include homocysteine and methylmelonic acid (MMA) . Homocysteine and MMA are elevated in B12 deficiency while only homocysteine, and not MMA, is elevated in folate deficiency.
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin-b12/tab/test
Since 1998, enriched bread, cereal, pasta, flour, crackers and rice have been fortified with folic acid. You probably already eat some foods that have folate because many fruits and vegetables, like oranges and avocado, are an excellent source of this vitamin. Good sources of B-vitamins and folate include:
http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/b-vitamins-and-folate
Testing for B12 and folate levels may be appropriate when a person has signs and symptoms of a deficiency, such as: 1  Diarrhea. 2  Dizziness. 3  Fatigue, muscle weakness. 4  Loss of appetite. 5  Pale skin. 6  Rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeats. 7  Shortness of breath. 8  Sore tongue and mouth.
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin-b12/tab/test
Vitamin B12 and folate are separate tests often used in conjunction to detect deficiencies and to help diagnose the cause of certain anemias, such as pernicious anemia, an autoimmune disease that affects the absorption of B12.
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin-b12/tab/test
B12 and folate are two vitamins that cannot be produced in the body and must be supplied by the diet. They are required for normal red blood cell (RBC) formation, repair of tissues and cells, and synthesis of DNA, the genetic material in cells. B12 is essential for proper nerve function.
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin-b12/tab/test
which b vitamin is folate
Folic acid is the b vitamin that is folate. A folic acid of vitamin B is folate.