Mighty Vitamin B for Babies!!
I am sure we see vitamins promoted everywhere, from social media to commercials on TV! But how much do we really know about vitamins? One of the important vitamins to look for is FOLIC ACID!
What is Folic Acid?
- It is a B vitamin that is important to all of your cell’s growth and development
- It is commonly found in fortified foods or supplements
- In early development, it helps form the neural tube, which helps form the brain and the spinal cord!
This is an important vitamin for everyone, especially for women who may become pregnant. Since this vitamin helps develop the neural tube, it helps prevent certain birth defects like spina bifida or anencephaly. Taking folic acid before and during a pregnancy is highly recommended since these defects typically occur in the first month of development. The recommended daily intake is 400 micrograms (mcg)!
You can get your recommended amount of folic acid from:
- A multivitamin or prenatal vitamin
- FOOD!!
Fast Facts!
Spina bifida:
It occurs when the spinal cord and the spine do not form properly and leaves the spinal cord exposed outside the body
Anencephaly:
It occurs when the brain and skull do not form properly and parts of the skull and brain are missing
Foods can be fortified or naturally contain folate. What fortified food means is adding certain nutrients, like in this case, folic acid, to food to help people reach the daily recommended intake of some nutrients. This helps combat nutrient deficiencies that cause negative health effects.
All flour in the US in now fortified! This includes products like breakfast cereals and bread. If you make your own bread from scratch, you are still covered.
Foods that are typically fortified (Don’t forget to check the label!):
- Pasta
- Corn masa products (like tortillas, tortilla chips, taco shells, etc)
- White rice
Foods that contain folate naturally are:
- Beans
- Leafy green vegetables
- Citrus fruits
As you can see, folic acid is important, especially for future babies. It is one of the mighty vitamins! Let me know what other vitamins you hear about often!
