Evidence supporting the use of: Folic acid
For the health condition: Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)

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Synopsis

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

Folic acid is strongly supported by scientific evidence for use in pregnancy. Folic acid (vitamin B9) supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy is proven to significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida and anencephaly, in the developing fetus. Numerous large-scale randomized controlled trials and observational studies have established that adequate folic acid intake is crucial for proper neural tube closure, which occurs in the first 28 days after conception—often before many women realize they are pregnant.

Based on this evidence, public health authorities worldwide, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend all women of childbearing age take 400–800 micrograms of folic acid daily, starting at least one month before conception and continuing through the first trimester. Many countries have implemented mandatory folic acid fortification of certain foods (such as flour) to reduce the incidence of NTDs at the population level.

In summary, the use of folic acid during pregnancy is one of the most well-established and effective interventions in prenatal care, with robust scientific validation for its role in preventing major birth defects of the brain and spine.

More about folic acid
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Products containing folic acid

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