Folic acid, also referred to as folate, is a B vitamin that plays an important role in good health. Folic acid plays a critical role in protein synthesis in the body as well as the production of red blood cells and DNA. Getting enough folic acid is particularly important for women of childbearing age. Adequate folic acid has been proven to prevent birth defects, including spina bifida, and folate can also decrease the incidence of miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Research
A study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and reported in 2002 revealed that women with low blood levels of folic acid are at an increased risk for a miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy. The study also showed that high levels of folic acid in the blood were not harmful. There was no difference in the rate of miscarriage between women with high folic acid levels and women with folic acid levels within normal limits.
Folic Acid Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that women between the ages of 15 and 45 years take 400 mcg of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects. A standard prenatal vitamin contains 400 mcg of folate, as will some multivitamins. Prenatal vitamins are recommended for all pregnant women. Women with a history of pregnancies affected by certain birth defects may be advised to take up to 4,000 mcg of folate daily. A specific level of daily folate intake to prevent miscarriage has yet to be established. Taking 400 mcg of folic acid daily is usually adequate to maintain folate blood levels within normal limits. Ask your doctor what the right amount of folate is for you.
Folate-rich Foods
Although a prenatal vitamin will provide the recommended amount of folic acid, there is no risk associated with elevated folic acid levels, so a folate-rich diet is recommended for pregnant women. Because adequate folate is so important for healthy pregnancies, the FDA requires that grain products including cereal, flour, pasta and rice are enriched with folate. Other sources of folate include citrus fruit, green leafy vegetables, beans and legumes.
Professional Resources
If you have questions about a healthy diet during pregnancy or the amount of folate you need, consult with a registered dietitian. Registered dietitians are trained to assess an individual's nutritional status and help design an eating plan to nourish your body. Registered dietitians can teach you how to incorporate folate-rich foods into a healthy, balanced diet.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Miscarriage
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Folic Acid Recommendations
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Plasma Folate Levels and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion; Lena George, M.D., et al.; 2002
- National Institute of Health and Child Development: Folate Deficiency Associated with Higher Early Miscarriage Risk; October 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Folic Acid in Diet -- Overview
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Folate
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