Folic acid is the human-made version of folate, a B vitamin that plays several roles in the body. During pregnancy, one of its most important functions is preventing a group of birth abnormalities ...

Susan Dentzer looks at the causes of spina bifida and efforts to prevent the disease by encouraging women to take more folic acid. The Wallaces have more reasons than most parents to think their child ...

It is well established that folic acid supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects like spina bifida, the most common birth defect of the central ...

Folic acid is often seen as a medication to prevent birth defects. That is incomplete. In clinical practice, folic acid is considered important much earlier and for far more reasons than most people ...

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate (vitamin B9) that plays a vital role in cell growth, DNA formation, and red blood cell production. During pregnancy, it helps prevent serious birth defects ...

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This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD. Folic acid is an essential nutrient you’ve likely seen on food labels or vitamin bottles — often targeting pregnant women (since it helps ...

Folic acid is a synthetic version of folate (vitamin B9) — an essential vitamin that your body cannot make itself. As such, you need to obtain folate through your diet to meet your daily needs. Good ...

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is a form of vitamin B that helps your body make and maintain new cells. It’s essential for everyone, but it’s especially important during pregnancy because it ...