Folic Acid

Folic Acid, essential for healthy fetal neural development, is necessary for the growth and reproduction of healthy blood cells.‡ Healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord birth defect. Folic acid as a dietary supplement with 1,333 mcg (800 mcg) is more effective in reducing the risk of neural tube defects than a lower amount in foods in common form; the FDA does not endorse this claim. Public health authorities recommend that women consume 600 mcg DFE (400 mcg) folic acid daily from fortified foods or dietary supplements or both to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.‡