Folic Acid

Summary

Folic acid is a B vitamin. It helps the body make healthy new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. For women who may get pregnant, it is really important. Getting enough folic acid before and during pregnancy can prevent major birth defects of her baby’s brain or spine.

Foods with folic acid in them include:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Fruits
• Dried beans, peas, and nuts
• Enriched breads, cereals and other grain products

If you don’t get enough folic acid from the foods you eat, you can also take it as a dietary supplement.

NIH: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• March of Dimes Foundation March of Dimes Foundation

Genetics

• Cerebral folate transport deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Hereditary folate malabsorption: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Folic Acid Deficiency National Institutes of Health

Start Here

• Folate National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements
• Folate (Folic Acid) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Folic Acid Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Folic Acid Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Patient Handouts

• Folate deficiency Medical Encyclopedia
• Folate-deficiency anemia Medical Encyclopedia
• Folic acid – test Medical Encyclopedia
• Folic acid in diet Medical Encyclopedia

Games

• Folic Acid Quiz Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Diagnosis and Tests

• Homocysteine Test National Library of Medicine
• Vitamin B Test National Library of Medicine

Journal Articles

• Folic Acid