Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in many foods. If you've heard of folic acid, it's the synthetic version of it, found in dietary supplements and fortified foods. Not only is folate essential for expecting mothers, but it's necessary for all people since it's needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of the cells in our bodies. It's also needed to make red blood cells, to Read more

If the urge to become a mom is in your not-too-distant future, here are some healthy changes you should make before you even think about becoming pregnant. Get at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily. This B vitamin helps prevent birth defects such as spina bifida. Great sources of folic acid include citrus fruits, asparagus, broccoli, beans, peas, peanuts, lentils, whole grains, and leafy green Read more

We've told you about the benefits of folic acid for expectant mothers, but now a new study reports that it may also have an effect on the opposite sex. It said: Researchers have found an association between a vitamin and levels of chromosomal abnormalities in men's sperm. Men who consumed high levels of folate (a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food) and folic acid (the Read more

While there has been a lot of focus on how women of childbearing age should make sure they are getting enough folic acid, there has been little talk about men and folate. Until now. New research has found that men who are thinking about becoming fathers should also be sure they're getting enough folic acid, since the folates that prevent birth defects when consumed by women may also help keep Read more

Did you know that it is recommended for women planning to get pregnant to take folic acid for a full year prior to conception? If you didn't know that recommendation, you are not alone. A recent survey completed by the March of Dimes found that the majority of women ages 18 to 24 had no idea about folic acid helping prevent birth defects. Folic acid (the synthetic form of folate) is a B vitamin Read more

My mother, a registered nurse who worked on a spina bifida study for years, encouraged me to take prenatal vitamins with an additional folic acid supplement. Folic acid has long been credited with helping to prevent birth defects, including spina bifida. Being my mother and a health professional, I took her advice and followed her direction. To see the latest on the benefits of folic Read more