How much folic acid should a non pregnant woman take daily?
Christopher Davis
Updated on May 25, 2026
Your body more easily absorbs folic acid in vitamins or supplements than the folate you get from food. Doctors usually recommend that non-pregnant women and men get 400 mcg daily, whereas pregnant women should get 600 mcg and breastfeeding women should get 500 mcg.
Can I take folic acid daily if not pregnant?
Most women should be getting 400mg of folic acid every day, even when not pregnant. While much of the conversation focuses on ensuring a woman's body can provide essential nutrients for a fetus during pregnancy, research suggests that folic acid benefits aren't limited to fetal development.Can normal woman take folic acid everyday?
How much folic acid do women need? All women need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Women who can get pregnant should get 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid from a vitamin or from food that has added folic acid, such as breakfast cereal.What happens if you take too much folic acid?
Excess folic acid is excreted in urine. A high folate intake can mask vitamin B-12 deficiency until its neurological effects become irreversible. This can typically be remedied by taking a supplement containing 100 percent of the daily value of both folic acid and vitamin B-12.Is 2 mg of folic acid a day too much?
There is no upper limit (UL) established for naturally occurring folate from foods. Keep in mind that most people don't consume more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid per day unless they're taking supplements in high doses.I'm not pregnant, but some days I take folic acid tablets, and some days I don't. Is that okay?
Can I take 5mg folic acid daily?
To prevent anaemia, the usual dose for adults and children aged 12 years and over is 5mg, taken every 1 to 7 days. The dose may vary depending on your age, diet and any other health conditions you have. For children under 12, the doctor will use your child's age or weight to work out the right dose.Is 1000 mcg of folate too much?
It's unlikely that women will be hurt from getting too much folic acid. We don't know of an amount that is dangerous. Yet, for most women, consuming more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid daily is of no benefit. Unless their doctor advises them to take more, most women should limit the amount they take to 1,000 mcg a day.Who should not take folic acid?
Folic acid should not be used by people recovering from this procedure. Cancer: Early research suggests that taking 0.8-1 mg of folic acid daily might increase the risk of cancer. Until more is known, people with a history of cancer should avoid high doses of folic acid.Is it good to take folic acid everyday?
Women Need 400 micrograms of Folic Acid Every Day. CDC urges every woman who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid every day. The B vitamin folic acid helps prevent birth defects.What are the symptoms of low folic acid?
Symptoms include:
- anemia.
- swollen tongue.
- difficulty thinking clearly.
- fatigue.
- muscle weakness.
- tingling and numbness in their hands, feet, or legs.