What is folic acid? 

Folic acid is a B9 vitamin that helps the body make new, healthy cells.  Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, and the terms can be used interchangeably.  Folate is found in many foods including leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, cereals, beans, poultry and egg yolks.  Folic acid is a water - soluble vitamin, which means it cannot be stored in the body. Given that folic acid cannot be stored in the body, a person must get a continuous supply of the vitamin.  This can be done by eating foods that contain folic acid or by taking a folic acid supplement.
 
  

How much folic acid should I take? How can I get it?

It is recommended that all women take 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid per day, even before getting pregnant.  Many multivitamins and all prenatal vitamins will contain at least this amount of folic acid.  It is also possible to get 400 mcg of folic acid from a well-balanced diet.  Broccoli, asparagus, bananas, oranges, nuts, peas, spaghetti, cereal and bread are all examples of foods that contain folic acid.  In order to be sure you are getting enough folic acid, it is important that you know how much folic acid your food contains.

 Why Should I take Folic Acid?

Studies have shown that if a woman takes 400 mcg of folic acid daily for one month before she gets pregnant, she can reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube closure defect by 50%.  Once a woman is pregnant, she should continue to take folic acid.  The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for folic acid during pregnancy is 800 mcg.
  
    

What is a neural tube closure defect? 

A neural tube closure defect is a defect of the spinal cord and brain.  The spinal cord defect is spina bifida and the brain defect is anencephaly.  Folic acid supplementation PRIOR to conception is associated with decreasing the risk for spina bifida by as much as 50-70%.