Women of child bearing age in the United Kingdom are being advised by the Government to increase their daily intake of folic acid following a doubling of the number of babies born with spina bifida in Scotland. Data for the remainder of the UK are not yet available.

At the end of the first month of pregnancy a baby’s spinal chord resembles an open tube. Later in the pregnancy this tube should close and be covered with bone and skin. However, occasionally this does not happen and spina bifida develops resulting in disabilities including learning difficulties, and in severe cases an open spinal chord. Tests have shown that a daily dose of folic acid taken during pregnancy and also in the months leading up to conception can reduce the chances of a baby developing spina bifida by around 75%.

Taking folic acid in the months leading up to conception is important because the spinal chord starts to develop early in the pregnancy and a mother will lose much of the benefit if she starts taking folic acid only once she is aware she is pregnant. The treatment should continue until at least the 12th week of the pregnancy.

A daily intake of 400 milligrams is normally sufficient unless you already have a spina bifida baby, are diabetic, take anti-epileptic drugs, or you have coelic disease. In that case you you will need a higher dose and your doctor will advise you accordingly.

The problem with taking any supplement in tablet form is that many experts say that as much as 90% of the benefit is washed straight through your body. Better to take your folic acid naturally. The natural occurring form of folic acid is called folate. Some countries add folate to flour and bread; if you live in a country that does not do this you can get folic acid naturally in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, spring greens, broccoli; and brown rice. Be careful not to overcook the vegetables – steaming is preferred as there is less chance of destroying the folic acid. Aloe vera is an excellent source of folic acid if taken as a gel drink. Liver also contains high levels of folic acid but liver should not be eaten by pregnant women or those planning pregnancy as it also contains high levels of vitamin A which could harm your baby.

Folic acid is a B vitamin and there are no known side effects.

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