Atoms are the building blocks of matter. They are the smallest particles of an element that still have the elementâs properties. Elements are pure substancesâsuch as nickel, hydrogen, and heliumâthat make up all kinds of matter. All the atoms of a given element are identical in that they have the same number of protons, one of the building blocks of atoms.
During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin each day that has 600 micrograms of folic acid in it. You need more folic acid during pregnancy to help your baby grow and develop. Your health care provider can prescribe a prenatal vitamin for you. Or you can get prenatal vitamins over the counter without a prescription.
Folic acid. Folic acid, which prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida in babies, is found in fortified breakfast cereal, dark green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruit juice, bread, and pasta. Bottom line: Getting 400 micrograms a day of this B vitamin, and 600 if you are pregnant or lactating, is a no-brainer. That amount should come from food, supplements, or both, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). More research is still needed as to whether folate may help combat certain cancers and heart disease.