Folic Acid: A Mother’s Love Ahead of Time

Folic Acid: A Mother’s Love Ahead of Time

If you’re planning to be a mom one day or even if you’re not sure yet, there’s one small daily habit that can make a world of difference to your future little one.

Folic acid. Yes, that tiny supplement you’ve probably heard of but might not think much about. Let me tell you why it matters more than we think.

1 in 3 pregnancies in Malaysia are unplanned1. And here’s something many of us don’t know: your baby’s neural tube – what becomes the brain and spinal cord – forms within the first month of pregnancy, usually before you’re even aware you’re expecting (see Figure 1).

In those early weeks, the embryo starts as a soft ribbon of tissue. Within weeks, it folds into a tube which eventually becomes the spinal cord, brain and nervous system – the control centre of your baby’s whole life. If the tube doesn’t close properly, neural tube defects (NTDs)2, such as spina bifida can occur. Heartbreakingly, 95% of NTDs happen in women with no family history, often due to low folate levels.3

Most Malaysian women of childbearing age simply doesn’t have enough folate in their bodies, even before pregnancy starts4. The impact is lifelong. A child born with spina bifida may face ongoing surgeries, mobility limitations, and social or emotional challenges that follow them into adulthood. Recent data shows that even with medical progress, people with spina bifida have a median life expectancy of only about 56 years5. Now imagine this: celebrating your child’s birthday each year with a silent fear of how many birthdays you have left together. That’s a heartbreak no mother should ever have to endure.

But here’s the good news: research shows that something as simple as taking folic acid daily could reduce the risk of NTDs by 50–70%6. Think of your future child - laughing freely, running confidently, smiling brightly. That health isn’t random. It’s begins with you, long before a pregnancy is confirmed, simply because you cared early and took action.

“Can I get folate from food?”, the answer is Yes, however it’s tough to get enough. Food rich in folate include: liver, nuts, avocado, beans and peas or leafy greens. Most women only manage to get about 235 micrograms folate from food daily7, barely 60% of what’s needed. Since the body absorbs folic acid from supplements much better than folate from food, a daily supplement is the simplest reliable choice. For best absorption, take it on an empty stomach, around the same time each day.

If you’re not sure where to begin, Appeton Essentials Folic Acid makes it simple. Each tablet provides the recommended 400 micrograms—fully complied with the USRDA and Malaysia’s RNI—to help protect against neural tube defects. Because these crucial developments happen so early, guidelines6 are clear: start at least 6 weeks before conception, and ideally 3 months before (see Figure 2). Continue throughout pregnancy to help reduce the risk of preterm birth, low-birth-weight and even lower the likelihood of autism8,9.

Sometimes, less is more – and consistency is everything.

Figure 2: Recommended Daily Intake of Folic Acid. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

This isn’t just about knowing folic acid. It’s about taking it, because your baby’s strongest start begins with you. One small daily habit today can shape a healthier future life tomorrow. And that is one of the most beautiful gifts a mother can give.

Learn more: Appeton Essentials Folic Acid

References:

  1. Institute for Public Health (IPH) 2023. Technical Report National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022: Maternal and Child Health, Malaysia.
  2. Singh, R. (2023, May 1). Embryology, neural tube. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542285/
  3. Mulinare, J., et al. (1988). Periconceptional use of multivitamins and the occurrence of neural tube defects. JAMA, 260(21), 3141–3145.
  4. Khor, G. L., et al. (2006). Dietary and blood folate status of Malaysian women of childbearing age. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, 15(3), 341–349.
  5. EpicResearch. (2023). Spina bifida patients are living 15 years longer in 2022 than in 2011. Epic Research.
  6. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2008). Antenatal care: Routine care for the healthy pregnant woman (Clinical guideline CG62). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg62
  7. O’Malley, E. G., et al. (2018). Maternal anaemia and folate intake in early pregnancy. Journal of Public Health, 40(3), e296–e302. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdy013
  8. Iyengar, L., & Rajalakshmi, K. (1975). Effect of folic acid supplement on birth weights of infants. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 122(3), 332–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(75)90179-9
  9. Liu, X., et al (2022). Prenatal Folic Acid Supplements and Offspring's Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 52(2), 522–539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04951-8