In January, California became the first U.S. state to require food makers to add folic acid to products like tortillas because of the high rate of neural tube defects in Hispanic infants.

This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD. Folic acid is an essential nutrient you’ve likely seen on food labels or vitamin bottles — often targeting pregnant women (since it helps ...

Legislators and health experts are seeking to combat a common birth defect with one simple ingredient added to staple foods.

Folic acid, also known as B9, is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to the folate group. Necessary for human survival, it is an essential nutrient that the body cannot produce on its own, nor can it ...

Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on . Folic acid supplementation is essential for reducing the risk for neural tube defects. The supplement could also ...

Taking a higher dose of folic acid during the first trimester of pregnancy was safe and associated with improved verbal abilities in children at age six as well as improved behavior skills, according ...

Taking folic acid supplements before conception and in the first trimester of pregnancy continues to be a major line of defense against neural tube defects. The recommendation also aligns with ...

Folic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin B9, is a quiet hero in reproductive health, especially for women planning or capable of pregnancy. It plays a vital role in preventing neural tube defects, ...

This product is a combination of B vitamins used to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency due to poor diet, certain illnesses, alcoholism, or during pregnancy. Vitamins are important building blocks of ...

There is a better path to reducing birth defects: one that prioritizes whole, naturally folate-rich foods and honest food labeling over the continued expansion of synthetic fortification.

This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD. Folic acid is an essential nutrient you’ve likely seen on food labels or vitamin bottles — often targeting pregnant women (since it helps ...