Women need folate every day
The benefits of folic acid for pregnancy
Other benefits of folate

Women need folate every day    [back to top]

All women of childbearing age, whether they are teenagers or adult women in their forties, need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day for good health. Folate is needed for new and developing cells no matter your age. You are continually making new cells like skin, blood, hair, gut and other cells.

The benefits of folic acid for pregnancy  [back to top]

It is important for women to have adequate folic acid intake before a pregnancy. Folic acid has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect (NTD), a serious defect of the brain and spine.

Taking folic acid every day may reduce the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects and may have other health benefits for women.

The development of the neural tube that becomes the baby's brain and spine happens in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy, a time when many women do not even know they are pregnant.  

• Up to 70 percent of NTDs may be prevented if all women who can become pregnant consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before and during early pregnancy.

• About 95% of children with an NTD are born to couples with no family history of these defects.

Taking folic acid every day is an inexpensive, easy, and effective way for women to increase their chances of someday having a healthy baby.

• Research has shown that having adequate folic acid intake during pregnancy also has been associated with a reduced risk for other birth defects such as heart defects, cleft lip, cleft palate, and defects of the urinary tract and limbs.

• If you have previously had a baby affected by a NTD, you may need to take 4,000 micrograms (4 milligrams) of folic acid every day because you are at higher risk for having another baby with an NTD. You should discuss this with your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy.

• If you are currently planning a pregnancy or trying to become pregnant, it is important for you to get enough folic acid NOW!

Click here to see a personal story about birth defects and folic acid.

Other benefits of folate      [back to top]     

Emerging research shows that folic acid may help to reduce the risk of other birth defects of the heart, face, urinary tract, and limbs. Folate also may help to reduce the risk for certain diseases or conditions including:

• Cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease and stroke.
• Certain cancers such as breast and cervical*.
• Diseases that affect the brain or mental function such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and depression.

* Benefits were seen for women who have other risk factors for this disease, such as a family history (breast cancer), high intake of alcoholic beverages (breast cancer), or infection with human Papillomavirus (cervical cancer).

There is some controversy as to whether folic acid is associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer or developing pre-cancerous adenomas (polyps). If you are at higher risk for colorectal cancer (e.g., over age 50, have a family history, have been previously diagnosed with polyps or colorectal cancer), make sure you see your doctor to discuss having regular screenings for precancerous adenomas, which can reduce the chances of developing colorectal cancer.

Although research has not confirmed that folate can reduce the rates of these serious diseases, studies so far have shown promising results.

Click here to learn more about folate and chronic diseases.

   [back to top]