You may think that taking folic acid is important only for women who may become pregnant, because we hear a lot in the media about how folic acid protects against certain major birth defects. But even if you are past your childbearing years, this vitamin is still important.
Folic acid is a B vitamin. It helps the body make healthy new cells. (“Folic acid” and “folate” mean the same thing. Folic acid is a man-made form of folate.) Folate is found naturally in some foods, but most women don’t get all the folate they need through food alone.
If you are post-menopausal, talk with your doctor about your requirements for folic acid and other vitamins. In general, older adults need 400 mcg of folic acid every day for good health. But it’s important to be sure you also are getting enough vitamin B12. Too much folic acid can hide signs that a person is lacking vitamin B12.
—Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, January 2014
Share with Friend
