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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Taking Folic Acid, Not Other Folates, Is Recommended to Reduce Risk of Birth Defects

Taking Folic Acid, Not Other Folates, Is Recommended to Reduce Risk of Birth Defects

A folic acid supplement is recommended during pregnancy and prior to conception because it reduces the risk of neural tube defects in babies. Social media posts have claimed that people should avoid folic acid in favor of a different form of the vitamin, but folic acid is the only one that has been established to help prevent birth defects.