Folic acid benefits for women

Overview

CDC recommends all women capable of becoming pregnant get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily. Getting 400 mcg of folic acid each day helps prevent some serious birth defects called neural tube defects (NTDs).

There are multiple ways to meet this recommendation.

Folic acid foods for pregnancy

You can get folic acid from supplements, such as vitamins, or from foods where folic acid has been added, such as enriched bread.

It is also important to have a varied diet with folate-rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables and beans.

Terms to know

Fortification is a way to add vitamins or minerals, or both, to foods. Flours, pastas, breads, rice, and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid will be labeled "enriched."

Mandatory fortification requires food manufacturers to add certain vitamins or minerals, or both, to specified foods.

B12 foods

Folic acid foods before pregnancy

Highest folate foods

Folic acid foods chart

Foods to avoid when taking folic acid

This is done to address a significant public health need. For example, fortification of cereal grains with folic acid is mandated in the United States to help reduce the occurrence of NTDs.

Voluntary forti

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