We are all familiar with research showing that folic acid plays an important role in preventing neural tube defects. Evidence suggests, however, that its benefits extend beyond birth defect prevention and may support both maternal and fetal health.
Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (January 2008; Volume 198, Issue 1) found that folic acid supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by elevated blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine.
Folic acid supplementation has also been linked with a reduced risk of premature birth. An observational study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine 28th Annual Meeting, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, included 38,033 participants. The researchers reported that folic acid supplementation for at least one year prior to pregnancy was associated with a 70% reduction in very early preterm delivery (20–28 weeks gestation) and up to a 50% reduction in early preterm delivery (28–32 weeks gestation).
