In recent years, there has been a push from organizations like
the March of Dimes and the Centers for Disease Control urging
women of childbearing age to make sure they get the recommended
daily allowance (RDA) of folic acid, also known as vitamin B9.
Women who are actively trying to get pregnant may want to
consider a separate folic acid supplement. Folic acid remains
important throughout pregnancy and prenatal vitamins will
provide a good supply. Studies have shown that adequate levels
of folic acid in pregnant women can drastically lower the
chances of their babies developing neural tube defects. The
neural tube is the part of an embryo and fetus that is the core
of the central nervous system, it later develops into the brain
and spinal cord.

Neural tube defects develop early in the first trimester,
during the first weeks of pregnancy. Many women do not yet know
they are pregnant during this time, so waiting until they find
out they are pregnant to begin taking folic acid will not have
the desired effect. One of the more commonly occurring neural
tube defects is spina bifida, when babies are born with part of
their spinal cord exposed because the neural tube did not close
correctly in development.

Folic acid is one of the B complex of vitamins. It is present
in many foods that are part of an otherwise healthy diet,
including green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and
asparagus. It is also found in legumes like black beans and
lentils. Some foods, like breakfast cereals and some breads and
pastas, are fortified with vitamins, usually including folic
acid. In addition to including foods high in folic acid in your
diet, it is a good idea to take a vitamin supplement that is
either folic acid alone, or a multivitamin that contains folic
acid. Generally, advice to take large amounts of vitamins in
diet or supplement form has to be tempered against the fact
that some vitamins in high levels can be toxic. This is not the
case, however, with folic acid. Folic acid can be taken in large
amounts and not cause toxicity.

Another plus to folic acid is that it is good for you, as well
as your developing baby. Both men and women benefit from folic
acid, which helps your body produce healthy red blood cells.
Research has shown that folic acid may be beneficial in
preventing heart disease, stroke, and colon and breast cancers.

About The Author: Daniel Smith writes about
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