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Folic acidFolic acid is a form of folate (a B vitamin) that everyone needs. If you can get pregnant or are pregnant, folic acid is especially important. Folic acid protects unborn babies against serious birth defects. You can get folic acid from vitamins and fortified foods, such as breads, pastas and cereals. Folate is found naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, oranges, and beans. What are folic acid and folate?Folic acid is the man-made form of folate, a B vitamin. Folate is found naturally in certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Folic acid is found in vitamins and fortified foods. Folic acid and folate help the body make healthy new red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the parts of your body. If your body does not make enough red blood cells, you can develop anemia. Anemia happens when your blood cannot carry enough oxygen to your body, which makes you pale, tired, or weak. Also, if you do not get enough folic acid, you could develop a type of anemia called folate-deficiency anemia. Why do women need folic acid?Everyone needs folic acid to be healthy. But it is especially important for women:
How do I get folic acid?You can get folic acid in two ways.
How much folic acid do women need?All women need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Women who can get pregnant should get 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid from a vitamin or from food that has added folic acid, such as breakfast cereal.2 This is in addition to the folate you get naturally from food. Some women may need more folic acid each day. See the chart to find out how much folic acid you need.
Are some women at risk for not getting enough folic acid?Yes, certain groups of women do not get enough folic acid each day.4
Not getting enough folic acid can cause health problems, including folate-deficiency anemia, and problems during pregnancy for you and your unborn baby. What can happen if I do not get enough folic acid during pregnancy?If you do not get enough folic acid before and during pregnancy, your baby is at higher risk for neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are serious birth defects that affect the spine, spinal cord, or brain and may cause death. These include:
Do I need to take folic acid every day even if I'm not planning to get pregnant?Yes. All women who can get pregnant need to take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day, even if you're not planning to get pregnant.2 There are several reasons why:
What foods contain folate?Folate is found naturally in some foods. Foods that are naturally high in folate include:
What foods contain folic acid?Folic acid is added to foods that are refined or processed (not whole grain):
Since 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required food manufacturers to add folic acid to processed breads, cereals, flours, cornmeal, pastas, rice, and other grains.9 For other foods, check the Nutrition Facts label on the package to see if it has folic acid. The label will also tell you how much folic acid is in each serving. Sometimes, the label will say "folate" instead of folic acid. How can I be sure I get enough folic acid?You can get enough folic acid from food alone. Many breakfast cereals have 100% of your recommended daily value (400 micrograms) of folic acid. If you are at risk for not getting enough folic acid, your doctor or nurse may recommend that you take a vitamin with folic acid every day. Most U.S. multivitamins have at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Check the label on the bottle to be sure. You can also take a pill that contains only folic acid. If swallowing pills is hard for you, try a chewable or liquid product with folic acid. What should I look for when buying vitamins with folic acid?Look for "USP" or "NSF" on the label when choosing vitamins. These "seals of approval" mean the pills are made properly and have the amounts of vitamins it says on the label. Also, make sure the pills have not expired. If the bottle has no expiration date, do not buy it. Ask your pharmacist for help with selecting a vitamin or folic acid-only pill. If you are pregnant and already take a daily prenatal vitamin, you probably get all the folic acid you need. Check the label to be sure. Vitamin labelCheck the "Supplement Facts" label to be sure you are getting 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid.2 Can I get enough folic acid from food alone?Yes, many people get enough folic acid from food alone. Some foods have high amounts of folic acid. For example, many breakfast cereals have 100% of the recommended daily value (400 micrograms) of folic acid in each serving. Check the label to be sure. Some women, especially women who could get pregnant, may not get enough folic acid from food. African-American women and Mexican Americans are also at higher risk for not getting enough folic acid each day. Talk to your doctor or nurse about whether you should take a vitamin to get the 400 micrograms of folic acid you need each day. What is folate-deficiency anemia?Folate-deficiency anemia is a type of anemia that happens when you do not get enough folate. Folate-deficiency anemia is most common during pregnancy. Other causes of folate-deficiency anemia include alcoholism and certain medicines to treat seizures, anxiety, or arthritis. The symptoms of folate-deficiency anemia include:
If you have folate-deficiency anemia, your doctor may recommend taking folic acid vitamins and eating more foods with folate. Can I get too much folic acid?Yes, you can get too much folic acid, but only from man-made products such as multivitamins and fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals. You can't get too much from foods that naturally contain folate. You should not get more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day, unless your doctor prescribes a higher amount. Too much folic acid can hide signs that you lack vitamin B12, which can cause nerve damage.10 Do I need folic acid after menopause?Yes. Women who have gone through menopause still need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day for good health. Talk to your doctor or nurse about how much folic acid you need. Are folic acid pills covered under insurance?Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act (the health care law), all Health Insurance Marketplace plans and most other insurance plans cover folic acid pills for women who could get pregnant at no cost to you. Check with your insurance provider to find out what's included in your plan. For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov. Did we answer your question about folic acid?Sources
The Office on Women's Health is grateful for the medical review by:
All material contained on these pages are free of copyright restrictions and maybe copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated. Page last updated: February 12, 2021 Who are folic acid supplements recommended for?Generally safe
However, folic acid supplements are recommended for women who are planning to become pregnant, could become pregnant, are pregnant or are breast-feeding. Folic acid supplements can also help people who have poor diets or conditions that interfere with the body's ability to absorb folate.
When should you take folic acid?It is recommended to take folic acid while you're trying for a baby (ideally for 3 months before) and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The usual dose if you're trying to get pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is 400 micrograms, taken once a day.
What are the benefits of taking folic acid everyday?Other potential health benefits of folic acid intake at 0.4 mg/day include reducing risks related to heart disease, stroke and some kinds of cancer. Women should keep their folic acid intake to less than 1 mg per day, unless under the supervision of a physician.
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