<u>Women of childbearing age </u>
Explanation:
The water-soluble vitamin B9 is available naturally as folate and available synthetically as folic acid in fortified supplements
Folate or folic acid is highly essential for women during the childbearing ages, before and during pregnancy.
An RDA of 400 micrograms of folate/folic acid per day should be taken from before the pregnancy period and at least till 12 weeks.
Folic acid plays a major role in the synthesis of red blood cells and in the neural development (brain and spinal cord) of the baby. Folate help prevent congenital neural defects like spina bifida and other birth defects.
Dietary folate alone is not enough to support the needs during childbearing period, hence folic acid supplements can be taken as directed by the physician.
