Folate is the natural form of Folic Acid and is easier for the body to assimilate. It is a critical ingredient during childbearing years, but only really beneficial if started a year before pregnancy. Birth defects happen upon conception. Even though it is still an important ingredient for normal cell division/multiplication, it should not be neglected at other times. Researchers initiated the study on the premise that a higher intake of folate may decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease through the lowering of homocysteine levels.