Folic acid, also referred to as folate, is an essential B vitamin. Foods containing folic acid are a critical part of a healthy diet because the human body cannot synthesize folate. Folate plays an important role in the body, assisting in red blood cell synthesis, metabolism, new protein and tissue growth and DNA production. Folic acid needs increase during pregnancy, a time of rapid cell division and tissue growth, with adequate folic acid intake linked to a lower incidence of miscarriage and birth defects.
Relationship Between Folic Acid and Miscarriage
Research conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden studied the correlation between folic acid levels in the bloodstream and the incidence of miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy. The study concluded that women with a folic acid deficiency were 50 percent more likely to have a miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy than women with normal plasma folic acid levels. The study also found that plasma levels of folic acid higher than normal do not increase the risk of miscarriage. Women with high folic acid levels are no more likely to have a miscarriage than women with normal folic acid levels.
Folic Acid Recommendations
All women of childbearing age should consume 400mcg of folic acid daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This amount of folate can prevent birth defects and early miscarriages linked to a folate deficiency. Most prenatal vitamins contain at least 400mcg of folic acid. If you have given birth to a child with a neural tube defect, your doctor may instruct you to take more than 400mcg of folic acid per day. Your doctor can review your pregnancy history and tell you the amount of folic acid that is right for you.
Dietary Sources of Folate
Because of the many health benefits of folic acid during pregnancy, a folate-rich diet is recommended in addition to folic acid contained in a prenatal vitamin. Several fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruit, cantaloupe, spinach, asparagus, broccoli and avocado, are good sources of folate. Legumes are also naturally rich in folate. To decrease the incidence of birth defects associated with low folic acid levels, the Food and Drug Administration requires that grain products, including bread, cereal, flour, pasta and rice, are enriched with folic acid, making these foods a good source of dietary folate as well.
Toxicity
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that excess folic acid can be excreted in urine. Because the human body can efficiently excrete excess folate, the risk of folic acid toxicity from your diet and supplements is very low. Despite the low risk of toxicity, it is always important to take supplements according to your doctor's instructions and always discuss any new supplements with your doctor prior to taking them.
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