To lessen the risk of birth
defects
Folic acid is very important for all
women who may become
pregnant.
Adequate folate intake during the
periconceptional period, the time just
before and just after a woman becomes
pregnant, helps protect against a
number of congenital malformations
including neural tube defects.
Birth defects
Neural tube
defects result in malformations of the
spine (spina bifida), skull, and brain
(anencephaly). The risk of neural tube
defects is significantly reduced when
supplemental folic acid is consumed in
addition to a healthy diet prior to and
during the first month following
conception.
Folic Acid Supplements
Women
who could become pregnant are advised
to eat foods fortified with folic acid
or take supplements in addition to
eating folate-rich foods to reduce the
risk of some serious birth defects.
Taking 400 micrograms of synthetic
folic acid daily from fortified foods
and/or supplements has been suggested.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
for folate equivalents for pregnant
women is 600 micrograms.