Which nutrient is crucial for preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy?

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) during pregnancy. Neural tube defects are serious birth defects of the brain and spine that occur in the early stages of fetal development. Adequate folate levels are critical as this nutrient is involved in DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, processes that are vital during the rapid growth and division of cells in the developing fetus.

Research has consistently shown that women who consume sufficient amounts of folate before conception and during early pregnancy significantly reduce the risk of NTDs. This is why healthcare professionals often recommend that women of childbearing age take a folic acid supplement, which is the synthetic form of folate, to ensure adequate intake and help protect the developing fetus.

While iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids are important nutrients during pregnancy for various reasons—such as supporting overall growth, development, and maternal health—they do not specifically play the same critical role in the prevention of neural tube defects as folate does.