Can taking folic acid really prevent serious birth defects?
The answer is a resounding yes.
One of the most critical times for preventing certain birth defects is before pregnancy even occurs.
Sufficient intake of folic acid (folate) can prevent serious birth defects.
According to the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN), folic acid intake before pregnancy can “prevent up to 70% of some serious birth defects of the brain and spine, called neural tube defects.”
Specifically, the vitamin has protective benefits against spina bifida and anencephaly, which begin to develop in the early weeks of pregnancy, often long before a woman even realizes she is pregnant.
Great sources of folic acid.
