As a Nutrition Consultant, You Advise Patients to En Sure

As a nutrition consultant, you advise patients to en sure they consume about 400 µg of folate daily. One patient is aware that folate helps prevent birth defects but she isn't sure why she should take it if she is not pregnant. Which of the following is the most appropriate reply?

A) Folate supplementation prevents pernicious anemia, which increases the risk of spina bifida.
B) Folate supplementation is needed to ensure a large store that can be utilized by the growing fetus.
C) As long as supplementation begins the day pregnancy is confirmed, there is no risk of defects.
D) The neural tube develops early on in pregnancy, oftentimes before the woman realizes she is pregnant.