What Is Folic Acid? Folic acid is a B vitamin. The body uses folic acid to help make red blood cells and other new cells. The folic acid found naturally in food is sometimes called "folate."
Why Is Folic Acid Important? People who do not get enough folic acid in their diet can get anemia-their blood does not carry oxygen well, and they feel very tired and weak. Children who do not get enough folic acid may grow poorly. Not having enough folic acid can also increase the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, and stroke.
Getting enough folic acid is really important in pregnancy. Taking folic acid from the very beginning of pregnancy can help prevent some neural tube defects in your baby. Neural tube defects are problems of the spine and brain, such as spina bifida. Severe neural tube defects can cause death or make it hard for your baby to walk.
How Much Folic Acid Do I Need?
Most people need to have about 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid in their diet every day. (Pregnant women need 600 mcg a day.) See the next page for ways to get enough folic acid in your diet.
You should take 400 mcg of extra folic acid every day if you:
• Are pregnant.
• Could become pregnant. This is because neural tube defects occur in the very first month of pregnancy, when most women don't even know they are pregnant.