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Summary
Folic acid is a B vitamin. It helps the body make healthy new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. For women who may get pregnant, it is really important. Getting enough folic acid before and during pregnancy can prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain or spine.
Foods with folic acid in them include:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Fruits
- Dried beans, peas, and nuts
- Enriched breads, cereals and other grain products
If you don't get enough folic acid from the foods you eat, you can also take it as a dietary supplement.
NIH: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
- About Folic Acid (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
-
Folate
(National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements)
Also in Spanish
- Folate (Folic Acid) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Folic Acid (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
-
Homocysteine Test
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
-
Vitamin B Test
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
Genetics
-
Cerebral folate transport deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
-
Hereditary folate malabsorption: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Folic Acid Deficiency
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
Patient Handouts
- Folate deficiency (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Folate-deficiency anemia (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Folic acid - test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Folic acid in diet (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.