A woman will thank herself for taking folic acid for the sake of her baby. A baby is the most precious being and as women, they should do whatever is in the best interest for their child. Folic acid is very important for the baby and is very easily accessible. Information on folic acid is useful to not only the woman but for men as well. As a father, although they are not carrying the child, they should know what is good for their child as well. Folic acid is one of those important items to put into the grocery
cart.
"What is Folic Acid", you're wondering..?
Folic Acid is a vitamin B. Our bodies use it to make new cells and everyone needs it! It's so important because it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine (autocephaly and spina bifida) (CDC). For folic acid to help prevent some major birth defects, a woman needs to start taking it at least one month before she becomes pregnant (CDC).
Every woman needs folic acid every day, whether planning to get pregnant or not, for the healthy new cells the body makes daily. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Folic acid, women really should be taking about 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
Women can get folic acid by taking a vitamin that has folic acid in it. It has to be taken every day. Several of the multivitamins sold in our country have the amount of folic acid women need. They could also choose to take a folic acid supplement each day with the 400 mcg that I mentioned. Also in the CDC, they mention another simple way women can get their folic acid is by eating a bowl of cereal that has 100% of the daily value of folic acid each day. Not all cereal has this amount so it it vital that women check the side of the box and look for the "100%" next to folic acid (CDC).
Reference:
Centers for Control and Disease. (2016). Facts about folic acid. Retreieved February 20, 2016 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/about.html
