You are working as a nutrition consultant in a women's health clinic and have been advising patients to make sure they consume about 400 micrograms of folate every day. 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. What is the most appropriate reply?

Question

You are working as a nutrition consultant in a women's health clinic and have been advising patients to make sure they consume about 400 micrograms of folate every day. 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. What is the most appropriate reply? ​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Folate is important for overall health and helps prevent birth defects, particularly neural tube defects like spina bifida. The neural tube develops very early on in pregnancy, often before a woman even realizes she is pregnant. Therefore, it is important to have a sufficient folate intake even when not actively trying to conceive to ensure that there is already a good store of folate in the body by the time pregnancy occurs.

You Are Working as a Nutrition Consultant in a Women's