He said breast milk, which contains DHA, is the best source for infants. Many large-scale studies have shown that folic acid plays a significant role in prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, which occur when a segment of the spinal nerve cord grows outside the bony spiny column. In the 1990s, we have the option of preventing neural-tube defects. All women of child-bearing age should consume at least 0.4 milligrams of folic acid per day. This year the Food and Drug Administration began requiring that all flour products, including pasta and bread, be enriched with folic acid.
Some cereals are also fortified with folic acid.
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