Folic acid supplements important preconception

Women planning a pregnancy have been advised to take folic acid supplements before trying to conceive. In response to new research carried out at Homerton Hospital, London, experts have called for greater awareness of the importance of taking folic acid supplements both before and at the beginning of pregnancy. The study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics found that only one in eight women supplemented their diet with folic acid before conception.

Dr Gail Rees, dietitian researcher, explained: "Folic acid is really important very early on in foetal development … having a good level of folate (folic acid) in the blood of the mother has been shown to prevent foetal defects such as spina bifida.

"All women in a position to become pregnant should take folic acid supplements."

The British Dietetic Association recommends that women trying to fall pregnant take 400 micrograms (0.4mg) of the B-vitamin a day until the 12th week of pregnancy.

Other sources of folic acid include green vegetables, fortified cereals and beans.