It is particularly important if you may soon become pregnant or if you are in the early weeks of pregnancy, because it can help protect an unborn baby against birth defects of the spine and brain. The U.S. Public Health Services suggests 0.4 milligrams of folic acid every day. More than 1 milligram daily is not advised unless your doctor or health care provider recommends it. Because folate is water soluble it washes out of your body and cannot be stored. Therefore it needs to be replenished daily.
Folic acid is found mainly in green leafy vegetables, asparagus and liver.
However, it is difficult to get enough folic acid through diet alone. You can make up the difference by taking a multivitamin supplement. Nearly every type of multivitamin provides the same amount of folic acid. You never know right away when you are pregnant. Sometimes weeks can go by before you know.