Folic Acid and Pregnancy : Part 2

by CDC

(Page 2 of 2)

There are two simple ways to be sure to get enough each day: take one vitamin with folic acid each day. Most multivitamins (MUL-tee-VI-ta-mins) sold in the United States have the amount of folic acid women need each day. Women can also choose to take a small pill that has only folic acid in it each day. Both types of vitamins can be found at most local pharmacy, grocery, or discount stores. Or eat a bowl of a breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid per serving every day. Total, Product 19, Cheerios Plus, Special K Plus, Life, and Smart Start are some examples. The label on the side of the box should say "100%" next to folic acid.

Along with taking a vitamin or eating a cereal that has 100% DV of folic acid, women should always eat a healthy diet that has lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods.

Scientists don't know how folic acid works to prevent birth defects. But they do know that folic acid is needed to make healthy new cells, like the ones that make up a baby's brain and spine. Taking folic acid every day, starting before and during pregnancy, can reduce the risk for these serious birth defects by 50% to 70%.

Are women getting enough folic acid?

Most women in the United States do not get enough folic acid to help prevent birth defects. The average woman gets less than the amount needed from her diet alone. That's why all women who can get pregnant are urged to take a vitamin with folic acid or eat a serving of fully fortified breakfast cereal each day.

Can women get too much folic acid?

It's unlikely that women will be hurt from getting too much folic acid. We don't know of an amount that is dangerous. Yet, for most women, consuming more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid daily is of no benefit. Unless their doctor advises them to take more, most women should limit the amount they take to 1,000 mcg a day.

Why can't I wait until I'm pregnant or planning to get pregnant to start taking folic acid?

Birth defects of the brain and spine happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman finds out she is pregnant. By the time she realizes she is pregnant, it might be too late to prevent those birth defects. Also, half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. These are two reasons why it is important for all women who can get pregnant to be sure to get 400 mcg folic acid every day, even if they aren't planning a pregnancy any time soon.

I can't swallow large pills. How can I take a vitamin with folic acid?

A woman can get her vitamin with folic acid in one of several ways. She can take a multivitamin or a small single supplement of folic acid. These days, multivitamins with folic acid come in chewable chocolate or fruit flavors, liquids, and large oval or smaller round pills. A single serving of many breakfast cereals also has the amount of folic acid that a woman needs each day. Check the label! Look for cereals that have 100% daily value (DV) of folic acid in a serving.

Vitamins cost too much. How can I get the vitamin with folic acid that I need?

Many stores offer a single folic acid supplement for just pennies a day. Another good choice is a store brand multivitamin, which includes more of the vitamins a woman needs each day. Unless her doctor suggests a special type, she does not have to choose among vitamins for women or active people, or even one to go with a low carbohydrate diet. A basic multivitamin meets the needs of most women.

How can I remember to take a vitamin with folic acid every day?

A woman may combine taking her vitamin with another habit. Taking a vitamin when she brushes her teeth, has her morning coffee, finishes her shower, or brushes her hair may make it easier to remember. Seeing the vitamin bottle on the bathroom or kitchen counter could help her remember it. She might even take a vitamin when her children take theirs. That sets a good example!

Are there other health benefits of taking folic acid?

Folic acid might help to prevent some other birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate and some heart defects. There might also be other health benefits of taking folic acid for both women and men. More research is needed to confirm these other health benefits.

About the Author

www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves.