Vitamin B9 source

Women who are thinking of becoming pregnant or who are pregnant often need additional supplementation of folic acid. Adequate folic acid is important for pregnant women because it helps prevent some serious birth defects, including neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Many cereal and grain products are now fortified with folic acid to help prevent these birth defects.

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Review Date: 2/17/2008
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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