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Policies for more information. Folic acid is a B vitamin that,
when taken before pregnancy, has been proven to prevent serious
birth defects such as spina bifida. According to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, up to 70 percent of neural tube
defects could be prevented if women took folic acid. Current
research also indicates that folic acid may help prevent heart
disease, stroke, and some forms of cancer. We know that taking
400 micrograms of folic acid before and during early pregnancy
can help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina
bifida, by up to 70 percent. Emerging research also shows that
folic acid may reduce the risk of birth defects, such as cleft
lip, cleft palate, and heart defects. The risk of cardiovascular
disease, Alzheimer’s disease and colon, cervical and breast
cancer may be reduced by taking folic acid. The preliminary
research findings are excit