Final answer:
Pregnant women and those who may become pregnant are recommended to consume at least 400 µg of folic acid daily to prevent neural tube defects and support proper fetal development. This dosage can be achieved through diet, supplements, or fortified foods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommend that all women who could become pregnant consume at least 400 µg per day of folic acid from supplements or fortified foods.
This recommendation is because the body's daily requirement of folic acid is about 300-400 µg, and getting enough folic acid is essential to help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The liver of an adult human can store 5-20 mg of folic acid, and the daily requirement can be supplemented by the body’s intestinal flora. Pregnancies, some medications, and certain health conditions can lead to a deficiency in this vital nutrient.
For pregnant women or those at high risk due to factors like medication or health conditions such as celiac disease, consuming adequate folic acid is crucial for preventing anemia, impaired fetal growth, and serious birth defects. Public health officials also suggest that a daily multivitamin can aid in meeting the necessary level of folate intake when diet alone is insufficient.