Do you need folate or folic acid when pregnant?

Folate and folic acid are important for pregnancy because they can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Folate is a B group vitamin needed for healthy growth and development.

Is it better to take folic acid or folate?

Folate, a natural form of vitamin B9, must be preferred over the synthetic form called folic acid. Folates are readily converted to the active form of vitamin B9 in the gut and absorbed by the body for various metabolic purposes.

Is folic acid and folate the same thing?

The terms “folic acid” and “folate” often are used interchangeably. However, folate is a general term used to describe the many different forms of vitamin B9: folic acid, dihydrofolate (DHF), tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5, 10-MTHF), and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) 1.

Which folic acid is best for pregnancy?

CDC urges every woman who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid every day. The B vitamin folic acid helps prevent birth defects. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and while she is pregnant, her baby is less likely to have a major birth defect of the brain or spine.

Is it OK to take folate instead of folic acid?

In terms of providing the body with available nutrient, dietary folate—the form found in whole foods—is preferable to the synthetic folic acid found in supplements and processed foods. It is both more readily available to the body, and it does not pose the same potential risks of build up.

Can I just take folic acid instead of prenatal vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins shouldn’t replace a well-balanced diet. But taking them can give your body — and your baby — an added boost of vitamins and minerals. Some health care providers recommend taking a folic acid supplement in addition to a prenatal vitamin. Talk to your doctor about your daily folic acid intake.

Can I take both folate and folic acid together?

However, it’s difficult to get 400 mcg of folate through diet alone. You can get 400 mcg of folic acid each day by taking a vitamin with folic acid in it, eating fortified foods, or a combination of the two, in addition to consuming a balanced diet rich in natural food folate.

How much folate do you need when pregnant?

All pregnant women should take get at least 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Most prenatal vitamins contain this amount of folic acid. Taking folic acid after you discover you’re pregnant may not be soon enough.

Can too much folic acid cause autism?

The authors reported that both low and high supplementation were associated with increased risk for ASD, and that very high maternal blood levels of folate at the time of birth, and very high levels of maternal blood vitamin B12 at birth both increased the risk of ASD 2.5 times [49].