How important is folic acid for older women who want to get pregnant?
For younger or older women, it is wise to take the recommended amounts of folic acid several months before becoming pregnant and several months into the pregnancy as well. It is known that (across the general population) when folic acid is included in the diet, the number of neural tube defects is reduced. Common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. In the U.S. in recent years, folic acid has been added to a number of breakfast cereals and enriched breads. How much folic acid should I be taking? Women who anticipate becoming pregnant should be taking (daily) at least 400 micrograms of the B-vitamin folic acid several months before and after becoming pregnant. Folic acid pills are small and easy to swallow. Folic acid pills can be bought in the vitamin section of grocery stores, pharmacies and discount stores. If you prefer, you can get 100% of your daily folic acid intake from a daily bowl of certain cereals. Some of these cereals are Total, Product 19, Cheerios Plus a
