Final answer:
Women of child-bearing age should consume at least 400 µg of folate per day to prevent neurological defects in babies, such as spina bifida, during early pregnancy stages. Folate is vital for healthy neural tube development and daily multivitamins are suggested for adequate intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women of child-bearing age are recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine to consume at leastbto reduce the risk of neurological defects such as spina bifida, which is the failure of the neural tube to close. Folate, being one of the B vitamins, is critical to the healthy development of the neural tube, and a deficiency in maternal folate can result in severe neural tube defects such as anencephaly.
Given the importance of this nutrient, some public health officials recommend daily multivitamins to ensure adequate levels of folate intake, which can be beneficial for women during childbearing years, as well as other specific groups who may benefit from supplemental vitamins and minerals