Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B9 (unspecified)
For the health condition: Birth Defects (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Vitamin B9, also known as folate or folic acid (in supplemental form), is strongly supported by scientific evidence for the prevention of certain birth defects, particularly neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Numerous large-scale epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that adequate maternal folate status before conception and during early pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of NTDs in offspring. The mechanism is well-understood: folate is essential for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, processes that are critical during rapid cell division and organ formation in early embryonic development.

Based on this strong evidence, public health agencies worldwide—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and national health bodies—recommend that women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects. Mandatory folic acid fortification of grains in many countries has led to a measurable decrease in the incidence of neural tube defects. The use of Vitamin B9 for this purpose is not based on tradition but on robust scientific validation.

In summary, there is overwhelming scientific consensus and high-quality evidence that Vitamin B9 supplementation before and during early pregnancy is effective in preventing certain birth defects, justifying its widespread use for this indication.

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