Among the most important of these essential nutrients is folic acid, sometimes also referred to as folate or vitamin B9. It is a standard component of nearly all high-quality prenatal multivitamins. Folic acid has been associated with proper neurological development during gestation and early infancy. It’s also known to mitigate other potential health risks, such as stroke and prostate cancer, later in life.
The Importance of Folic Acid During Pregnancy
There is little dispute among medical experts regarding the overall importance of folic acid. New findings presented by research scientists working with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo suggest that the role it plays during pre and postnatal brain development may be even more crucial and specific than previously realized.
Between 1999 and 2010, the researchers collected and analyzed data on a total of 38,954 Norwegian children (18,998 girls and 19,956 boys) and their mothers to assess what effect, if any, prenatal folic acid supplementation had on language acquisition by age three.
When they compared the instances of severely delayed language development among children whose mothers supplemented with prenatal vitamins containing folic acid with those who took prenatal vitamins without folic acid, as well as those children whose mothers did not use any form of prenatal vitamin whatsoever, the researchers were able to show a marked link between the use of folic acid-enriched vitamins and a decreased risk of language delay.
Other Sources of Folic Acid
Getting enough folic acid from diet alone can be difficult. There are a handful of foods with folic acid, including liver and egg yolks, plus many vegetarian-friendly options, such as leafy green vegetables, peas, beans, other legumes, and brewer’s yeast.
The most effective method for expectant mothers to ensure they get their recommended daily allotment of folic acid is still a good prenatal multivitamin supplement. Unfortunately, selecting the right prenatal vitamin can be a difficult task, especially for women who prefer to use natural organic vitamins.
