Women who could become pregnant should eat a healthy diet rich in folic acid. They should also think about taking a daily vitamin supplement of 0.4 mg of folic acid. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins involved in cell growth. Research has shown that women who have more folic acid just before pregnancy and in the first few months are less likely to have babies with a particular form of birth defect. Neutral tube defects such as spina bifida occur when the tube that normally encloses the spine does not close properly in the first few weeks after conception.

Following Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating is a good beginning. A few women require more folic acid than you could easily eat so a vitamin supplement with 0.4 mg of folic acid is also recommended.

Some women's iron stores may be low so it is difficult to meet their iron requirements. If your blood tests don't have enough iron, an iron supplement may be recommended.

Aside from folic acid and iron, if you eat a variety of foods every day, you usually do not require vitamin or mineral pills.

• Always consult with your health professional
• Vitamin pills are not a replacement for food.
• More is not better . . . take as prescribed.