How much synthetic folic acid is recommended for pregnant women on a daily basis?

For pregnant women, the recommended daily intake of synthetic folic acid is 400 mcg. This amount is vital for supporting fetal development, particularly in preventing neural tube defects, which can occur within the first few weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis and repair, making it essential during periods of rapid cell division and growth, such as pregnancy.

The recommendation of 400 mcg is specifically for women who are planning to become pregnant and those who are already pregnant to ensure adequate levels are maintained before and during the early stages of pregnancy. While some resources suggest that the dosage may increase during later trimesters or for women with specific health concerns, the baseline recommendation stands at 400 mcg to support a healthy pregnancy for most women.

This amount is aligned with guidelines provided by health organizations, which emphasize balancing both dietary folate from food sources and folic acid from supplements to achieve the necessary intake.