Frequently Asked Questions
Folic Acid supplementation appears to be well tolerated at the recommended doses. However, flushing, fatigue, rash, itching, allergic reactions, etc. have been reported. The risks of higher levels of Folic Acid supplementation are believed to be minimal. Folic Acid is considered nontoxic even at very high doses and is rapidly excreted in the urine. However, because the effects of high intakes are not well known but include complicating the diagnosis of vitamin B-12 deficiency, care should be taken to keep total folate consumption at less than 1 mg per day, except under the supervision of a physician.
Yes. Folic Acid has been shown to contribute to healthy skin, hair and nails. There have also been links made to potential benefits of folate in some types of cancers (colon and brain) and depression, although these effects have yet to be proven. Folic Acid use for over a year has been shown to reduce the risk of premature delivery. Recently published studies have also shown that Folic Acid may reduce the risk of having a child with autism.
How Folic Acid prevents NTDs is not well understood. Some studies suggest that it may correct a nutritional deficiency, while others suggest that supplemental Folic Acid helps compensate for errors in how the body processes Folic Acid. For example, a recent study found that as many as one in seven people may carry a genetic mutation (change) that causes them to have a deficiency in Folic Acid, even if they are consuming a diet that contains the recommended amount of Folic Acid. These people have problems breaking down Folic Acid found in food to forms of Folic Acid the body can use, resulting in lower Folic Acid levels in the blood. Studies suggest that women with this gene mutation may be at increased risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect (NTD). However, taking synthetic Folic Acid either by pill or fortified food appears to raise levels of the vitamin in the blood, and thereby reduce the risk of having an affected baby.
Folic Acid is very inexpensive! Some over the counter formulations can be less than 1 penny per day for a one month supply!
As of January 1, 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required the addition of 140 micrograms (mcg) of Folic Acid per 100 grams of grain product to cereals, breads, pastas, and other foods labeled “enriched.” (Several cereals contain the recommended daily amount of 400 micrograms (mcg) per serving, but most contain from 25 to 50 percent.) This makes it a little easier for women to obtain Folic Acid from their diets. Click here for more information on foods that contain Folic Acid. Currently most women do not obtain enough Folic Acid from their diet alone. In fact, it is extremely difficult for a person to get enough Folic Acid by diet alone. Eating habits will need to change to select enriched foods with higher fortification levels and to include fruits and vegetables – which is also heart-healthy. Because some fortified breakfast cereals contain 400 micrograms of Folic Acid in one bowl, a woman could get the recommended amount of synthetic Folic Acid this way, or she can take a multivitamin. The FDA did not require that more Folic Acid be added to enriched foods because of the concern that Folic Acid might mask one sign of a potentially dangerous condition called pernicious anemia, which is seen mainly in elderly people. The level of fortification the FDA currently requires is believed to be safe for everyone.
According to the U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, March of Dimes, the Institute of Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all women of childbearing age in the United States who are capable of becoming pregnant should consume 0.4 mg (400 mcg) of Folic Acid per day for the purpose of reducing their risk of having a pregnancy affected with spina bifida or other neural tube defects (NTDs). Most prenatal supplements contain between 0.4mg and 0.8mg of Folic Acid and either is considered safe and acceptable for women planning to become pregnant or who are pregnant. In addition, women should eat a healthy diet including foods rich in Folic Acid. This is the only sure way a woman can get all the Folic Acid and other vitamins she needs. Most women get only about 200 micrograms of Folic Acid a day from their diets.
The body can absorb almost 100 percent of the synthetic form of Folic Acid. This is why it is recommended that women who could become pregnant consume 400 micrograms a day of the synthetic form.
However, women should not take more than 1,000 micrograms (mcg) (or 1 milligram (mg)) without their doctor’s advice.
If a woman has already had a baby with an NTD, she should consult her doctor before her next pregnancy about the amount of Folic Acid she should take. Studies have shown that taking a larger dose of Folic Acid daily (4.0 milligrams (mg)), beginning at least one month before pregnancy and in the first trimester of pregnancy, may reduce the risk of having another affected pregnancy by about 70 percent.
The March of Dimes has several research grantees who are seeking to improve their understanding of how Folic Acid prevents NTDS. Because most NTDs are believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors (including nutritional factors like Folic Acid), other grantees are trying to identify genes that increase a woman’s risk of having a baby with an NTD. One of these researchers is focusing on 5 genes that play a key role in how the body breaks down food folates, to see if mutations in any of these genes increase the risk of spina bifida. Another researcher is looking at how Folic Acid is transferred from the placenta to the fetus and trying to identify any factors that could interfere with this process. These studies could lead to ways to identify women who are at increased risk of having a baby with an NTD, and to improved ways to treat them, with the goal of preventing even more NTDs than is currently possible. The information and resources listed here are intended for educational use only. The information provided on this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. Always contact your physician and/or other qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or with questions about your health.
Yes. There are many things that can be done to improve pregnancy outcomes besides the use of Folic Acid. These would include avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and other recreational drugs. Prior to becoming pregnant, a woman can make any desired medication changes with their doctor. Also, she can consult with her doctor regarding weight recommendations and stabilization. Any changes in school or the workplace to avoid unwanted exposures can also be started before getting pregnant.
Even if a young lady is not sexually active, there are many other good reasons to take Folic Acid. What is most important is to get the habit of using Folic Acid started. That way, down the road, when it is needed, the habit is firmly established.
No. While you can often achieve the recommended dose of Folic Acid by taking more than one multivitamin tablet each day, this is NOT recommended. Since multivitamins and prenatal vitamins contain many different substances as well as other vitamins, taking higher amounts of these other vitamins (e.g. Vitamin A) can be harmful to the mother and the baby.
Yes. It is safe for men and women both take Folic Acid supplementation (400 mcg daily) in addition to their healthy diet.
All women 10 -50. Even if the woman is not planning on getting pregnant, taking Folic Acid is still recommended as 70% of all pregnancies are unplanned.
No. There does not appear to be risk to the baby at the recommended doses. In fact, it is recommended that pregnant women take folic acid supplementation prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy in order to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida. Women may wish to consult their physicians or other health-care providers (nutritionists, dietitians) about how to best obtain the recommended amount of folic acid, while avoiding excessive consumption.
