Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate)
For the body system: Female Reproductive System

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Vitamin B9, known as folic acid (synthetic form) or folate (natural form), is strongly supported by scientific evidence for its role in the female reproductive system, particularly in the context of pregnancy and fetal development. Numerous clinical studies and health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), recommend folic acid supplementation for women of childbearing age. The primary rationale is the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the developing fetus, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. These defects occur early in pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant, making adequate folate status crucial even prior to conception.

Folate is essential for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation—processes critical for cell division and growth, which are highly active during embryogenesis. Supplementation with folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy has been shown, in large-scale randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, to reduce the risk of NTDs by up to 70%. Due to this robust evidence, many countries have mandated folic acid fortification in grain products.

Beyond NTD prevention, some studies suggest folate may support overall fertility, ovarian function, and reduce the risk of other birth defects, though the evidence for these uses is less conclusive. Nevertheless, the primary and scientifically validated reason for folic acid’s use in supporting the female reproductive system is the prevention of neural tube defects.

More about Vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate)
More about Female Reproductive System

Other ingredients that support Female Reproductive System

7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
amino acids
ashwagandha
basil
black cohosh
borage oil
broccoli
chaste tree
turmeric
d-alpha tocopherol
damiana
dandelion
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
eleuthero
evening primrose oil
fennel
fenugreek
flaxseed
folate
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
genistein
ginger
goldenseal
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
inositol
jujube
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus jensenii
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
maca
marine lipid
motherwort
nettle
omega-3 fatty acids
raspberry
rose oil
saffron
selenium
soybean
spearmint leaf
tribulus
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin E
wild yam
red clover
squawvine
mugwort
anise
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
blessed thistle
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
yarrow
dioscorea
dodder
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
guelder rose
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
shepherd's purse
wood betony
herbal blend (proprietary)
soy isoflavones
27-deoxyactein
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene
8-Prenylnaringenin
Angelica
Anamu
AHCC
Alchemilla
Aletris
Anserina
Anemone
Agnuside
Ashoka
Abuta
Animal protein
Betony
Blue Cohosh
Bugbane
Bethroot
Barbasco
Belamcanda
Bird's nest
Calochortus
Cohosh
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cynomorium
Cramp Bark
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chlorophytum
Casticin
Ceylon Leadwort
Crinum latifolium
DHEA
Daidzein
Dong Quai
Diosgenin
Date
Egg
Erythrina
Evening Primrose Oil
Estrogen
Folic Acid
Fo-Ti
Furostanols
formononetin
Fatty acids
False Unicorn Root
Ginsenosides
Goat's rue
Giant Trillium
Golden Ragwort
Isoflavones
jasmine
Pennyroyal
Rose
Soy Protein
Vervain

Products containing Vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate)

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.