Folic acid is a B vitamin. When taken before and early in pregnancy it helps prevent birth defects of nervous tissue, the brain and spinal cord. Some studies show it can also prevent miscarriage, stroke, autism, and certain cancers. Every fertile woman should take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid before pregnancy as well as during early pregnancy. Women who have already had a pregnancy affected by a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord, or a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should take 4000 micrograms.

Boost Your Fertility: Get Pregnant Faster

This plan will help you get pregnant faster! ... read more »

Sun Exposure Diminishes Value of Folic Acid Supplements

A team of researchers in Australia have discovered that too much exposure to the UV rays of sunshine depletes folate levels in spite of healthy diet and supplements. ... read more »

Tea And Pregnancy

Your guide to drinking tea in pregnancy ... read more »

Folic Acid Before Conception Helps Prevent Birth Defects

Folic acid intake is essential during pregnancy. ... read more »

The Best Time to Take Folic Acid Is Before Pregnancy

Folic acid protects against neural tube defects. ... read more »

Why is Folic Acid Important for Pregnancy?

What is folic acid and what does it do? ... read more »

All About Prenatal Vitamins and Supplements

Essential for the health of mom and baby! ... read more »

The B Vitamin No Woman Should Be Without

There are eight B vitamins, all of which are essential to human life, but one B vitamin has taken center stage during recent years due to new research revealing how strongly this super-vitamin can affect one's health- most importantly women's health. ... read more »

Why You Should Take a Prenatal Vitamin While Breastfeeding

New mothers have a lot on their plates- but it may not be enough when it comes to food. ... read more »

Beyond Preventing Birth Defects

It is recommended that all women of childbearing age take a folic acid supplement or multivitamin with at least 400 mcg of folic acid because this B vitamin is known to prevent neural tube defects such as spinal bifida and encephalopathy. ... read more »

Why Prenatal Vitamins and Other Supplements are Important

Prenatal vitamins and other supplements are advised for women who are trying to conceive, who are pregnant, and who are nursing. ... read more »

Folic Acid is Vital for Fetal Development

Folic acid is important for optimal fetal development. Higher levels of folic acid in the body at the time of conception may reduce the risk of neural tube defects and other fetal complications. ... read more »

Is It Safe to Eat Pate or Liver While Pregnant?

Wondering if it is safe to eat liver or pate during pregnancy? Keep reading! ... read more »

Healthy Pregnancy Diet May Reduce Birth Defect Risk

Women who eat healthy during pregnancy are less apt to have children with birth defects, according to new research published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. ... read more »

Preconconception Vitamins and Folic Acid

Folic acid in combination with a multivitamin supplement has been associated with a decrease in specific birth defects. ... read more »

Folic Acid Absorption Affected By Medications

First trimester exposure to certain medications such as folic acid antagonists is associated with increased risk for neural tube, cardiovascular and urinary tract defect. ... read more »

Pregnancy Nutrition: Q & A for All Pregnant Women

Nutrition is one of the most important ways to prevent pregnancy complications (both fetal and maternal). The foods pregnant women eat set the stage for growth and development during pregnancy. ... read more »

Folic Acid is Important for TTC and Pregnant Women

Folic acid supplements are often taken after a mother conceives, at that time it's often too late to prevent certain complications. ... read more »

Dr. Amos' 15 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

These preconception and pregnancy tips ensure that you can improve chances getting pregnanct and having a healthy baby ... read more »

Chloasma, The Pregnancy Mask

During pregnancy a mask of discoloration, chloasma, on the face that can occur. But chloasma, or the pregnancy mask, is just a natural part of pregnancy. ... read more »

Vegetarian Lentil Chili

Folic acid is one of the most important B vitamins a pregnant woman can eat. This recipe is rich with folic acid to protect baby throughout the early days of pregnancy. ... read more »

Is it Okay to Diet During Pregnancy?

For some women, the worries about pregnancy weight may cause her to diet. It is unsafe to diet in pregnancy, though weight loss is not dangerous in some cases, as was once thought. ... read more »

Pregnancy after Miscarriage

In most cases, a miscarriage is a protection of sorts from fetal abnormalities or internal issues that could not be controlled by the pregnant woman. ... read more »

Dietary Folate Impact on Reproductive Function

Folic acid should be part of the prenatal regime to dramatically reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the developing fetus. ... read more »

Association Between Oxidized LDL and Folate During Pregnancy

Researchers from the University of Tokyo recently published a study in the journal Biological Research for Nursing on the possible connection between folic acid intake and oxidized LDL (low-density lipoprotein). ... read more »

Dietary Folic Acid Intake Across Three Generations

Researchers from the University of Granada recently published a study in the journal Appetite revealing three generations worth of folic acid intake data establishing a legacy value for folic acid intake in southern Spain. ... read more »

Dad’s Folic Acid Consumption May Be Vital To Baby’s Health

Gentlemen, please eat your greens. And cereal, fruits, and veggies. Your children's lives may depend on it. ... read more »

Powerful Phytochemicals Can Maximize Health During Pregnancy

You're eating a balanced diet full of fruits and veggies, whole grains,low fat dairy, lean proteins, and healthy fats, but did you know thatyou can give your pregnancy a nutritional boost by including certain'super foods?' ... read more »

Delay in Language Development Reduced With Folic Acid

A new study was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) revealing that folic acid intake during the first eight weeks of pregnancy has a significant impact on language development up to three years after birth. ... read more »

Folic Acid Reduces Risk of Autism Disorder

Observational research shows taking folic acid (folate) supplements for four weeks prior to pregnancy and continuing for eight weeks after pregnancy reduces the risk of a child developing an autism disorder. ... read more »

Folate - Red Cell (Whole Blood) During Pregnancy

If you're experiencing anemia, your doctor will order a series of blood tests. The series of tests may include the red cell folate test ' most often if your red blood cells are larger than normal called macrocytic anemia. ... read more »

Folate (Serum) During Pregnancy

Serum folate is simply the measurement of folate in blood serum. Folate is also known as folic acid or vitamin B. Low folate levels can cause fatigue and increase the risk of neural tube defects. ... read more »

Gluten Free for the Gluten Tolerant During Pregnancy?

Pregnant women may be missing out on important nutrients if they go 'G-free' gluten-free during pregnancy without getting the right advice. ... read more »

Folic Acid Linked to Autism Prevention

If there is one thing that drives researchers it is a medical condition with no definitive cause. Autism is one of those conditions. Though there are some medical ideas about the possible roots of some forms of autism, there has yet to be one study producing a clear, concise and definitive cause of autism. ... read more »

Cell Signaling Pathways and Diabetic-Induced Birth Defects

Researchers from the University of Maryland may have found a new means of reducing diabetic-induced birth defects like none other. ... read more »

Preconception Health for Women

Before heading out for an adventure at sea, ship captains must prepare the ship for the journey. The same can be said for pregnancy. Physical pregnancy may last 40 weeks or about nine months, but preparation for that journey starts months or years in advance. ... read more »

Preconception Medications

As you step back from the medicine cabinet it hits you ' can I takethese same medications when I'm pregnant? How about before I conceive? ... read more »

Cluster of Rare Birth Defects in Washington

There's a mystery involving rare birth defects in a small rural area of Washington state that's pitting mothers and medical personnel against the state's health department. ... read more »

Fortifying Flour May Reduce Birth Defect Risk in Hispanic Population

Folic acid is an extremely important vitamin during early pregnancy. ... read more »

Efforts to Reduce Spina Bifida and Other Birth Defects

Fortunately, the rate of birth defects in the United States has plummeted by 32 percent in the last decade according to a press release issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. ... read more »

How a Folic Acid Deficiency Can Lead to Enduring Defects

Folic acid deficiencies can cause defects in offspring for several future generations. A new study, published in the journal Cell, sheds new light on the role folic acid plays on a molecular level during fetal development. ... read more »

American Breastfeeding and Parenting

New parents and those who are still expecting will do everything that they can so that their children will have a future that is both positive and healthy such as feeding their babies with breast milk as long as possible. ... read more »

Make Your Calories Count When Morning Sickness Strikes

Up to 75% of women experience morning sickness during theirpregnancy, and many of them worry that they may not be getting enoughnutrition during times when keeping food down isn't easy. ... read more »

Tests to Do Before Pregnancy

There is a lot you can do and some tests you can take before you get pregnant to improve both your chances getting pregnant as well as your chances having a healthy baby. ... read more »

Low Sperm Count

Can low sperm count be improved? One study says yes! ... read more »

Diet and Nutrition During Pregnancy

We are what we eat, and in the case of pregnancy our babies are what we eat. Therefore a healthy diet, not only during but also before pregnancy, is crucial to having a healthy pregnancy and baby. ... read more »

Vitamin B12 Preconception Decreases Malformations

Vitamin B12 preconception decreases malformations. ... read more »

How to Have a Successful Pregnancy in 12 Steps

The obstetrician or family planning expert can help the mother-to-be, plan out the most effective lifestyle changes to optimize the health of mom and baby during gestation. ... read more »

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