National Folic Acid Awareness Week is a holiday week designed to raise awareness about the importance of folic acid in the diet, particularly for pregnant individuals. Folic acid, also known as B9, helps the body maintain current cells and create new ones.

It has been proven vital in preventing changes to DNA that can lead to cancer in adults and congenital disabilities in unborn children. Fortunately, folic acid can be easily obtained through supplementation or by adding more dried beans, peas, lentils, broccoli, beets, and spinach to your diet. This holiday week falls during the first week of January annually.

The History of National Folic Acid Awareness Week

This holiday week began in the 1990s after the U.S. Public Health Service recommended that all women who are pregnant should get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to prevent neural tube defects in their unborn child. Although this remained a somewhat obscure holiday week, it is beginning to change as more people recognize the importance of adding folic acid to one’s diet.

Observing National Folic Acid Awareness Week

This is a good week to learn more about folic acid or to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to find out if you are getting enough of this nutrient in your diet. This is especially important for pregnant women, as folic acid supplementation has been shown to reduce serious birth defects of the brain and spine, such as anencephaly and spina bifida.

We also suggest that everyone cognizant of this holiday take the time to spread the word about it. This can be done by telling friends and family members about the holiday or by using the hashtag #NationalFolicAcidAwarenessWeek on social media to let everyone know about it.