Folic Acid The Most Important Nutrient

Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects (ntds) such as spina bifida, a critical and often life threatening complication of pregnancy. Regular supplements with folic acid over a lifetime may also decrease your risk for certain vascular ailments including cardiovascular disease.

The Center for Disease Control recommends that all women during their reproductive years take a supplement that contains at minimum 400 micrograms of folic acid per day.

Women at an increased risk for neural tube defects, including those with a family history of the disease, should take up to 4 milligrams per day.

Folic acid supplementation has been linked with a reduced risk of many other congenital anomalies during pregnancy, including decreased risk of palatal and urinary defects and cardiovascular complications.

Is Supplementation Necessary?

There are many foods that naturally contain folate, or folic acid. However in general, the body is not capable of converting all of the folic acid women get from their diets. Because of this it is best that a woman supplement even if her diet is rich in folate containing foods.

More than 2,500 infants are born each year in the United States with a neural tube defects, and a majority of these are believed to be related to inadequate folate intake in the diet.

Typically this defect occurs very early in pregnancy, during the first 18-30 days after conception, which is why it is essential that a woman have adequate folate stores in her body prior to becoming pregnant.

Because of this it is vital that a woman consume as many folate rich foods as possible prior to pregnancy in addition to supplementing with a multi-vitamin. These include the following:

• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
• Fruits, Particularly Citrus
• Whole Grains
• Beans
• Breakfast Cereals
• Nuts
• Meats

Good habits die hard. Therefore it is critical that you consume adequate amounts of folate throughout your life to ensure your optimal health and well being.

Remember that folate is not simply essential for the health and well being of your newborn. Over a lifetime adequate intake can reduce your risk for vascular disease. Folate helps decrease homocysteine serum concentrations, which may reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.

Most prenatal vitamins have an adequate level of folic acid in them. You can purchase these over the counter and start taking them prior to conception. You can also get a prescription from your health care provider for prenatal vitamins that contain the recommended levels of folic acid.

Remember that every step before, during and after your pregnancy can impact the health and well being of your newborn.

To ensure the best possible outcome for you and baby, it is best that you take every precaution necessary to ensure optimal health for your entire family!