Kristie McNealy, MD

We’ve known for decades that folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects, but now research on taking folic acid before pregnancy has revealed a new benefit. The largest study ever on pre-conception folic acid supplementation found that women who took folic acid supplements for at least a year prior to getting pregnant [...]

All the way back in 1994, the March of Dimes began a campaign encouraging women to increase their folic acid intake to prevent neural tube defects. Then, in ‘96, the FDA approved the fortification of certain grain products like cereals and white bread with folic acid. By the year 2000, interventions begun by [...]