Who Benefits Most from Folic Acid Supplements?

Women of reproductive age (15–45), especially those planning or capable of pregnancy.

Why

• Neural tube closes before many know they're pregnant.
• 50% of pregnancies unplanned.
• NTD risk reduced 50–70% with periconceptional folic acid.

Other Groups Benefiting

• Individuals with MTHFR variants (may prefer methylfolate).
• Those on antifolate drugs (methotrexate, trimethoprim).
• Alcohol use disorder (folate depletion).
• Malabsorption (celiac, IBD, bariatric surgery).
• Hemolytic anemias (increased turnover).

Universal folic acid fortification (grains) provides baseline; supplements ensure adequacy for high-need groups.