Strategies to increase folate/folic acid intake in women: an overview

Abstract

Summary Supplementation with folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) and may also be associated with other health benefits in relation to cancer and vascular disease. There is strong support around the world for public health policies that encourage increased folic acid intake by women of childbearing age, especially daily intake of supplemental folic acid, to reduce the incidence of NTDs. Campaigns promoting the use of folic acid supplements are useful but many women remain unaware and many pregnancies are unplanned. They have therefore had a limited impact in the primary target group, namely women around the time of conception and in the early weeks of pregnancy. Studies suggest that only about 30% of women aged 18–45 years use folic acid periconceptionally, and among younger, less educated and poorer women, use is even less. It is estimated that the majority of women who take folic acid don’t start until they know they are pregnant, and so miss the critical window (first 12 weeks) for the prevention of NTDs. It is therefore important that routes other than supplementation are considered. A European Union‐funded programme of work, ‘Folate: from food to functionality and optimal health’ (FolateFuncHealth, QLRT1‐1999‐00576 & QLRT‐2001‐2740), has contributed to this work and the findings were presented at a conference in Warsaw in 2004.