The Today Show this morning featured a segment on a research study that found some additional benefits of folic acid in pregnant women.  As many of you know, or should know, folic acid when taken prior to and during the early stages of pregnancy helps to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in your developing baby.  It is recommended that women of child bearing age get 400 mg of folic acid every day.

As if reducing the risk of neural tube defects isn’t enough reason to stay on top of your folic acid intake new research has found that folic acid may also reduce your risk of going into premature labor. The study found that women who were taking a folic acid supplement for at least one year prior to becoming pregnant cut their risk of a very early pre-term birth (between 20 and 28 weeks) by 70 percent compared with women who did not take folic acid.  There was also a reduction in pre-term births between 28 and 32 weeks of 50 percent.

The recommendation remains that women of child bearing age get 400 mg of folic acid every day.  It can be difficult to get adequate folic acid from foods so a supplement may be your best bet.  Foods that do contain folic acid include fortified cereals and breads, green leafy vegetables, legumes, some berries, and sunflower seeds.  Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to get enough folic acid in your diet.

A majority of pregnancies are still unplanned so your best bet is to take a multivitamin that contains one hundred percent of your folic acid if you are of child bearing age that way you will get the benefits if you become pregnant unexpectedly.  Folic acid is also thought to aid in heart health as well, so even if you aren’t planning on getting pregnant there are other benefits.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about folic acid and its benefits.