Folic acid is the man-made form of an important vitamin called folate.
Folate has been shown to help prevent a group of serious birth defects known as neural tube defects. Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, involve the incomplete closure of the spinal column. Because the neural tube forms soon after conception, women need to have an adequate amount of folate in their diets before becoming pregnant. Unfortunately, most women consume only about half of the 400 micrograms of folate that's recommended. Folic acid fortification may benefit more than developing infants.