There are no serious side effects associated with taking too much folic acid. In very rare cases, people may report an upset stomach. If a person takes more folate than necessary, there is no cause for concern. Folic acid is water soluble, so any excess will naturally pass through the urine.
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, an important B vitamin. Most people get enough folate from their diet, but people at risk of deficiency and women who may become pregnant may need to take folic acid supplements. Folic acid supplements are available to purchase online. Find out about the potential benefits of iron including assisting with a healthy pregnancy, helping both mental and physical performance, and…. Anemia is the most common blood disorder. The body does not have enough red blood cells and is unable to deliver enough oxygen around the body.
Nutrition is the study of food and how it affects the body. Here, learn about the components of nutrition, who the experts are, and what each nutrient…. What to know about folic acid. Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R. Importance Who should take it? Recommended intake Natural sources Deficiency Side effects Summary We include products we think are useful for our readers. Why is it important? Share on Pinterest Folic acid may reduce the risk of preterm birth.
Who should take folic acid? Recommended intake. Folate deficiency. Side effects of folic acid. You can't get too much from foods that naturally contain folate. You should not get more than 1, micrograms of folic acid a day, unless your doctor prescribes a higher amount.
Too much folic acid can hide signs that you lack vitamin B12, which can cause nerve damage. Women who have gone through menopause still need micrograms of folic acid every day for good health. Talk to your doctor or nurse about how much folic acid you need. Under the Affordable Care Act the health care law , all Health Insurance Marketplace plans and most other insurance plans cover folic acid pills for women who could get pregnant at no cost to you.
Check with your insurance provider to find out what's included in your plan. For more information about folic acid, call the OWH Helpline at or contact the following organizations:. Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Breadcrumb Home A-Z health topics Folic acid. Folic acid. Folic acid Folic acid is a form of folate a B vitamin that everyone needs. What are folic acid and folate? Why do women need folic acid?
Everyone needs folic acid to be healthy. But it is especially important for women: Before and during pregnancy. Folic acid protects unborn children against serious birth defects called neural tube defects. These birth defects happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. Folic acid might also help prevent other types of birth defects and early pregnancy loss miscarriage.
Since about half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned 1 , experts recommend all women get enough folic acid even if you are not trying to get pregnant. To keep the blood healthy by helping red blood cells form and grow. Not getting enough folic acid can lead to a type of anemia called folate-deficiency anemia. Folate-deficiency anemia is more common in women of childbearing age than in men.
How do I get folic acid? You can get folic acid in two ways. Through the foods you eat. Folate is found naturally in some foods , including spinach, nuts, and beans. Folic acid is found in fortified foods called "enriched foods" , such as breads, pastas, and cereals. Look for the term "enriched" on the ingredients list to find out whether the food has added folic acid.
As a vitamin. Check the label to make sure. How much folic acid do women need? If you: Amount of folic acid you may need daily 2 Could get pregnant or are pregnant — micrograms. Your doctor may prescribe this amount. Research shows taking this amount may lower the risk of having another baby with spina bifida.
Have spina bifida and want to get pregnant 4, micrograms. Women with spina bifida have a higher risk of having children with the condition. Take medicines to treat epilepsy , type 2 diabetes , rheumatoid arthritis , or lupus Talk to your doctor or nurse.
Folic acid supplements can interact with these medicines. Are on dialysis for kidney disease Talk to your doctor or nurse. Have a health condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease , that affects how your body absorbs folic acid Talk to your doctor or nurse. Are some women at risk for not getting enough folic acid?
Spanish-speaking Mexican-American women often do not get enough folic acid. However, Mexican-Americans who speak English usually get enough folic acid. What can happen if I do not get enough folic acid during pregnancy? These include: Spina bifida.
As a result, the nerves that control the legs and other organs do not work. Children with spina bifida often have lifelong disabilities. They may also need many surgeries. You can take a multivitamin or a small, single supplement of folic acid. These days, multivitamins with folic acid come in chewable chocolate or fruit flavors, liquids, and large oval or smaller round pills. Many stores offer a single folic acid supplement for just pennies a day.
Another good choice is a store-brand multivitamin, which includes most of the vitamins you need each day. Unless your doctor suggests a special type, you do not need to choose among vitamins for women or active people, or one for people who are on a low carbohydrate diet. A basic multivitamin meets the needs of most women. Another way to get folic acid is to eat enough breakfast cereal that has been enriched with folic acid every day.
These birth defects of the brain and spine happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman finds out she is pregnant. All women should get in the habit of taking folic acid daily even when they are not planning to get pregnant.
For folic acid to help, a woman needs to take it every day, starting before she becomes pregnant. You might think that you can get all the folic acid and other vitamins you need from the food you eat each day. But it is hard to eat a diet that has all the nutrients you need every day.
Even with careful planning, you might not get all the vitamins you need from your diet alone. You know that you should exercise, eat right, and get enough sleep.
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