Ask a Doctor
Christina Charles-Beery, MD
Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Columbus Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Inc.
7450 Hospital Drive, Ste 280
Dublin, OH 43016
Phone: (614) 434-2400
Question. What is folic acid, why is it important and how much should I take?
Answer. Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord when taken before conception and during early pregnancy. Folate is the natural form of folic acid and is found in certain foods. Folic acid is the manmade form of folate and is found in most multivitamins.
Folate and folic acid derive their names from the Latin word folium (which means "leaf"). Leafy vegetables are the principal natural source of folate, although in Western diets fortified cereals and breads may be more significant sources.
Some good sources of folate/folic acid include:
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Enriched breads and pastas
- Lentils
- Asparagus
- Spinach
- Black beans
- Peanuts
- Orange juice
- Romaine lettuce
- Broccoli
Folic acid is a member of the B-complex family of vitamins. It helps the body make healthy new cells. It is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth. Children and adults require folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells and prevent anemia. In pregnancy, it is especially important in the development of the growing fetus' neural tube.
The neural tube is the part of the developing baby that becomes the brain and spinal cord. Inadequate folic acid intake can lead to a failure of the neural tube to develop properly, leading to neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. There are approximately 3,000 cases of spinal bifida each year in the United States. It is estimated that 70% of these cases could be prevented if all women took folic acid for one month before conception and during pregnancy.
Due to the importance of folic acid, it is recommended that all women of reproductive age take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily. This recommendation promotes healthy habits in women and ensures adequate folic acid intake in case of accidental pregnancy (recent studies estimate that nearly half of pregnancies in the U. S. are unplanned).
When trying to conceive and once pregnant, it is recommended that folic acid intake should increase to 800 to 1000mcg per day. This can be accomplished by taking an over the counter or prescription prenatal vitamin. Additional folic acid is often recommended for women with multiple gestations (twins/triplets), in some women with preexisting health conditions or on certain medications, and in women with a prior pregnancy complicated by spina bifida. It is recommended that prenatal vitamins be continued postpartum for women who are breastfeeding.
Prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements are available in tablet, chewable tablet, and liquid forms. Talk with your physician to determine which dose and which form is best for you.
