Question

I am planning to start a family and one of my friends has suggested that I should start taking folic Acid.  What is folic Acid?  Why and how much is needed?

Answer

Folic Acid, also known as “folate”, is a water-soluble vitamin B needed by the body to manufacture red blood cells and produce DNA which is necessary for formation of baby tissues and organs.

Folic acid can be found commonly in liver, egg, fish, lean beef, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fortified cereals and multivitamin pills. 

Deficiency in folic acid is associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects in babies (abnormal development of brain and spinal cord).  Although causes of neural tube defects are unknown, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States estimates 50-70% of neural tube defects may be prevented if folic acid is taken daily before and during early pregnancy. 

US Public Health Services recommends a daily intake of 0.4mg synthetic Folic Acid for women of childbearing age; a daily intake of 4mg synthetic folic acid one month before pregnancy and during the first 3 months of pregnancy for women with increased risk for recurrence of neural tube defects.

While individual consumption requirements differ, daily folic acid requirement may be fulfilled through a combination of fortified diet, and/or supplements in addition to a well balanced diet.

Tan Wei Chuen

Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore

More information and advice can be obtained from your pharmacist. Send your questions to sthealth@sph.com.sg

Reference:

Recommended level of Intake: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fact/folnow.htm