Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, one of the necessary B vitamins. Folic acid is converted readily to folate in the body, and in fact is better absorbed than naturally occurring folate. This simple B vitamin has a long and illustrious history in nutrition research.
Numerous studies show folate is an important player in the prevention of birth defects in newborns.
More recent research indicates folate may be important in reducing heart disease risk. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a study conducted prior to fortification of grain products with folic acid, found the average daily intake of this vitamin to be 220-280 micrograms. Grain fortification is expected to add another 100 micrograms daily, bringing the average intake up to nearly 400 micrograms. Recommendations for folate intake have been exhaustively reviewed by American and Canadian scientists working together since March 1997 to set new standards if deemed necessary. The new information was released in April in a report from the Institute of Medicine.