Folic acid (or folate) is a
B-vitamin that is receiving a lot of attention lately. It plays an important
role
in the prevention of heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, and
depression. However, the most publicity is about the link between low folic
acid intake and birth defects known as neural tube defects, with spine bifida
being the most common.
Neural tube defects occur when
the spine or brain of an unborn baby fails to close properly during the first
month of
pregnancy, often before a woman even realize she is pregnant. In
Canada, the incidence of neural tube defects is about one in 1000 live births
The Role of Folic Acid
Studies have found that an
increase in folic acid intake through supplements before pregnancy lowered the
risk of infants bore with neural tube defects. Because 50% of pregnancies are
unplanned, health experts in Canada and the U.S recommend that all women who
are capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 micrograms (or 0.4 milligrams) of
folic acid daily from a multivitamin
supplement and/or fortified foods, in
addition to making folic acid rich food choices daily. Talk to a dietitian or
other health professional about the supplement that is best for you.
Eat the Right Foods
Taking a supplement does not
replace the need for a variety of choices from Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy
Eating. Food rich in folic acid include corn, green vegetables, legumes and
lentils, and oranges.