I took folic acid with my prenatal vitamins, but now I am hearing that I should be giving my child folic acid, as it decreases risk of certain diseases, such as cancer. Is that true, and should I be giving my child a supplement of folic acid?
There is some truth behind this. There is research that has shown that the incidence of certain types of chldhood cancers, such as Wilms tumor, are decreased when there is folic acid supplementation. The FDA mandated folic acid supplementation in food in 1998, so it is included in cereals, breads, and rice. It is also found naturally in green leafy vegetables, and in citrus fruit. So with a good, well-balanced diet for children, they should get adequate folic acid.
To learn more about folic acid and children, watch this video from VideoMD.com.
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