Folic Acid

Folic acid is the man-made form of the B vitamin folate, sometimes referred to as vitamin B9 or folacin.

Folate is found in small amounts in lots of foods including broccoli, brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans and fortified breakfast cereals.

If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, you should take a 400 microgram folic acid supplement every day until you’re 12 weeks pregnant.

If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, the NHS recommends that you should take a 400 microgram folic acid supplement every day until you’re 12 weeks pregnant.

This is because folic acid helps to form the neural tube and low levels of the vitamin could lead to major birth defects of your baby’s brain.

It is best to start taking folic acid before you’re pregnant, as birth defects can occur within the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy, so make sure you’re getting your daily dose whilst trying to conceive.

The benefits of folic acid for women are well known, but little is known about its effects on men.

It’s uncommon for men to have a deficiency in folic acid, but taking it as a supplement may present several benefits.

Folic acid may encourage hair growth by playing a role in the growth of cells, in addition to improving fertility and heart health, as well as helping with depression.

The NHS advises that you should take 400mcg of folic acid during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy.

If you’re planning to become pregnant, you should take these folic acid supplements before your pregnancy too.

If you didn’t take folic acid before your pregnancy, you should start to take it as soon as you discover you’re pregnant.