Jimalalud, Negros Oriental - Folic acid is a form of B vitamin. It is the synthetic form of folate or Vitamin B9, an essential nutrient that every woman should take. If a woman is planning to get pregnant or is pregnant, she already knows the important ways to ensure a healthy pregnancy and one of those ways is taking enough folic acid. Folic acid is even more important during pregnancy because it protects the unborn babies against neural tube defects (NTDs). Neural tube defects are birth defects of the spinal cord known as spina bifida and of the brain known as anencephaly, but it can be prevented when pregnant women take folic acid as a prenatal vitamin or as a supplement.

It is not only important to take enough folic acid before pregnancy but pregnant women should also continue taking it throughout the pregnancy period for their own health and for their babies’ growth and development as well.

All women need to take 400-800 micrograms of folic acid everyday to prevent defects of the spine and brain sine birth defects can happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Unlike other vitamins that are already stored in the body, such as Vitamins A, D, E and K, the fat soluble vitamins, folate/folic acid is a water soluble vitamin, it means that it does not stay in the body for a long time so it needs to be taken on a regular basis to ensure enough availability and for the body to be able to work/function properly.

Folate is naturally found in foods including dark green and leafy vegetables, oranges, nuts, beans, poultry and whole grains while folic acid on the other hand, is used in supplements and in fortified foods such as rice, pasta, bread and some breakfast cereals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required food manufacturers to add folic acid to processed rice, pasta, bread and cereals. This process is called as Food Fortification.

Everyone needs folic acid to be healthy and for the body to function well but it is especially important for women before and during pregnancy as stated above. It is also important in keeping the blood healthy by helping the red blood cells form and grow. It is not only the vitamin or the nutrient’s responsibility to keep our bodies healthy but we, people have the bigger responsibilities in ensuring that we keep our bodies fit and healthy and not prone to diseases. // ND II Chutsvieka May Pacatang, RND