A patient asks how she can consume optimal amounts of folate, because she is trying to get pregnant. The nurse will advise this patient to do what?
A) Eat foods naturally high in folate.
B) Stop worrying, because folate is present in many foods.
C) Take synthetic folate on an empty stomach.
D) Take synthetic folate in addition to foods high in folate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All women of child-bearing age need 400 to 800 mg of synthetic folate in addition to dietary sources to help prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. The bioavailability of synthetic folate is increased in the presence of food. Dietary folate is not sufficient to prevent neural tube defects, even when these foods are consumed in increased amounts. Taking folate on an empty stomach reduces the amount absorbed.

A Patient Asks How She Can Consume Optimal Amounts of Folate