Folic acid is a B-vitamin. The recommended amount to prevent spina bifida and other neural tube defects is 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of synthetic folic acid daily. Convenient ways to make sure that you get enough folic acid: Take a vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day. (Folic acid pills are small and easy to swallow). Both folic acid pills and multivitamins can be bought at grocery stores, pharmacies, or discount stores.

Folates can be found naturally in green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, okra and brussels sprouts, and also in corn and avocados. Water, fruit juices, milk and soups are all acceptable fluids and count towards the recommended 8--10 glasses you should drink daily. While carbonated sodas will provide you with the necessary fluids, diet beverages contain aspartame and saccharin and regular beverages contain sugar and often caffeine. Salt, or sodium, is not the cause of preeclampsia. See similar questions...

Folic acid has no known toxic level. If you were to eat a bowl of fully fortified cereal (400 micrograms), take a folic acid supplement (400 mcg), and eat fortified foods and foods rich in folate, women of reproductive age would not have a problem with too much folic acid. Even in very high amounts folic acid is non-toxic. Nevertheless, it is recommended that women consume no more than 1,000 micrograms of synthetic folic acid a day. See similar questions...

Even though there are several ways to get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of folic acid every day, two thirds of women in the United States do not consume enough folic acid. See similar questions...

Folic acid helps promote the production of red blood cells in both your body and your developing baby. Red blood cells are important to minimize the onset of physiological anemia as your pregnancy develops. It also reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus. Most doctors recommend a supplement containing at least 0.4 milligrams of folic acid during your pregnancy. The US Public Health Service suggests you take the supplement if your capable of becoming pregnant. See similar questions...

During pregnancy, a woman requires more of all the essential nutrients and minerals. Folic acid is one such component that is required not only by the mother but also by the unborn baby. Women are suggested to have higher intakes of folic acid one month before conception and at least three months afterwards. This potentially reduces the risk of neural tube defect in babies and helps them against several birth defects disorders related to brain and spine. See similar questions...

High levels of the amino acid homocysteine are independently associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. It has been shown that taking folic acid lowers homocysteine levels in both men and women, but it is not yet known whether folic acid supplementation also lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. There are some indications that folic acid use may also reduce the risk for other birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate and certain congenital heart defects. See similar questions...

Folate, a B vitamin, reduces the risk of delivering a baby with neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Folate is essential to the production of new body cells by helping produce DNA and RNA. To be sure you reach the daily requirement of 400 micrograms, include at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet every day. Good sources of folate include dark green leafy vegetables, certain fruits such as oranges, dried beans, and most grain products (which are fortified with folate). See similar questions...

Ganglion cysts are also known as "Bible cysts" because people used to try "treating them" by smashing a large book (like a Bible) on top of them. Do not do this! Do you have any information on Gastroparesis? My wife is suffering through this since she had her thyroid oblated with radioactive iodine 2 months ago. I am a recovered anorexic and I would like to know if there is any way that I can get involved with helping other girls through this struggle. See similar questions...

C.D.C.'s primer Diagnosis and Management of Food borne Illnesses. You can also get 3.0 hours of C.M.E See similar questions...