How Much Folate is Needed?
Women of Child-Bearing Age: In addition to the folate found naturally in their foods, women ages 14 to 50 should get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily from fortified foods, vitamin supplements, or both. That amount increases to an additional 600 mcg per day for pregnant women and an additional 500 mcg for women who are breast-feeding. Easy ways to get this extra folic acid are: • Take a daily vitamin that has folic acid in it or a folic acid pill that reads “400 mcg” or “100%” next to folic acid on the label. • Eat a daily serving of breakfast cereal that contains 100% of the daily value for folic acid. Women Above Child-Bearing Age, and Males Age 14 and Above: The Recommended Dietary Allowance for folate is 400 mcg per day from all sources, including fortified foods, vitamin supplements, and the amount occurring naturally in foods. Children: In children and infants, folate helps with overall growth rate. The following age groups should consume these amounts of folate from food:
