FAQs Archive – Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition https://www.vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/ From age 10 to 50, you need to take Folic Acid every day. Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:15:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Is there anything else (besides Folic Acid) that I can to do to improve my chances of having a healthy baby? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/is-there-anything-else-besides-folic-acid-that-i-can-to-do-to-improve-my-chances-of-having-a-healthy-baby/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:14:55 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1039 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 [...]

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]]> 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.

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]]> My daughter is not sexually active, but she is in the suggested age range for using Folic Acid. What should we do? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/my-daughter-is-not-sexually-active-but-she-is-in-the-suggested-age-range-for-using-folic-acid-what-should-we-do/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:14:30 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1037 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.

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]]> 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.

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]]> I’ve already had a child with spina bifida. Does this mean anything different for me? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/ive-already-had-a-child-with-spina-bifida-does-this-mean-anything-different-for-me/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:14:09 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1035 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 [...]

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]]> 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.

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]]> Is anyone conducting research on Folic Acid? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/is-anyone-conducting-research-on-folic-acid/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:13:50 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1033 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 [...]

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]]> 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.

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]]> Should men take Folic Acid supplementation? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/should-men-take-folic-acid-supplementation/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:13:05 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1031 Yes. It is safe for men and women both take Folic Acid supplementation (400 mcg daily) in addition to their healthy diet.

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]]> Yes. It is safe for men and women both take Folic Acid supplementation (400 mcg daily) in addition to their healthy diet.

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]]> How much does Folic Acid cost? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/how-much-does-folic-acid-cost/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:12:45 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1029 Folic Acid is very inexpensive! Some over the counter formulations can be less than 1 penny per day for a one month supply!

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]]> Folic Acid is very inexpensive! Some over the counter formulations can be less than 1 penny per day for a one month supply!

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]]> Should I simply take extra tables of my multivitamin/prenatal vitamin in order to get enough Folic Acid? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/should-i-simply-take-extra-tables-of-my-multivitamin-prenatal-vitamin-in-order-to-get-enough-folic-acid/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:12:32 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1027 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 [...]

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]]> 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.

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]]> Will Folic Acid supplementation harm my baby if I take it during pregnancy? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/will-folic-acid-supplementation-harm-my-baby-if-i-take-it-during-pregnancy/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:12:15 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1025 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, [...]

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]]> 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.

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]]> Are there any side effects from taking Folic Acid supplementation? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/are-there-any-side-effects-from-taking-folic-acid-supplementation/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:11:56 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1023 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, [...]

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]]> 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.

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]]> Are there other benefits of Folic Acid supplementation other than the prevention of birth defects? https://vitaminforlife.org/faq-items/are-there-other-benefits-of-folic-acid-supplementation-other-than-the-prevention-of-birth-defects/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:11:38 +0000 https://vitaminforlife.org/?post_type=avada_faq&p=1021 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 [...]

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]]> 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.

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