On this page
Basics
Learn More
See, Play and Learn
Research
Resources
For You
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
- Facts about Folic Acid (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
-
Folate
(National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements)
Also in Spanish
- 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
Related Issues
- Folic Acid Supplements: Can They Slow Cognitive Decline? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Genetics
-
cerebral folate transport deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
-
hereditary folate malabsorption: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
Health Check Tools
- Folic Acid Quiz (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Folic Acid Deficiency
(National Institutes of Health)
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