Health Tip #6: Everyone Needs Folic Acid

·        Everyone needs folic acid. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Folic acid is a B vitamin. Source: CDC
 

·        Too much sodium is bad for your health. It can increase your blood pressure and your risk for a heart attack and stroke.

·        Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. 

·        Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be life-threatening. 

·        Prepare for a winter storm before it hits. The best way to keep your family and yourself safe is to plan ahead. 

·        Pets are now living longer than ever before and are facing a whole new set of age-related conditions.

Facts about Folic Acid

CDC urges women to take 400 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant, to help prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine.

About folic acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid.

Why folic acid is so important

Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine (anencephaly and spina bifida).

How much folic acid a woman needs

400 micrograms (mcg) every day.

When to start taking folic acid

For folic acid to help prevent some major birth defects, a woman needs to start taking it at least one month before she becomes pregnant and while she is pregnant.

Every woman needs folic acid every day, whether she’s planning to get pregnant or not, for the healthy new cells the body makes daily. Think about the skin, hair, and nails. These – and other parts of the body – make new cells each day.

How a woman can get enough folic acid

There are two easy ways to be sure to get enough folic acid each day:

1.    Take a vitamin that has folic acid in it every day.

Most multivitamins sold in the United States have the amount of folic acid women need each day. Women can also choose to take a small pill (supplement) that has only folic acid in it each day.

Multivitamins and folic acid pills can be found at most local pharmacy, grocery, or discount stores. Check the label to be sure it contains 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid, which is 400 micrograms (mcg).

2.   Eat a bowl of breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily value of folic acid every day.

Not every cereal has this amount. Check the label on the side of the box, and look for one that has “100%” next to folic acid.

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