What B vitamin is crucial for reducing neural tube defects during pregnancy?

Folate, also known as folic acid, is a B vitamin essential for proper fetal development during pregnancy. It plays a significant role in DNA synthesis and repair, and it is particularly crucial for the development of the neural tube, which eventually forms the baby's brain and spinal cord. Adequate folate intake before and during the early stages of pregnancy helps significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.

Research has shown that women who consume sufficient amounts of folate before conception and during the first trimester have a lower incidence of these defects. Healthcare professionals often recommend that women of childbearing age take a daily folic acid supplement, in addition to consuming folate-rich foods, to ensure they have adequate levels for a healthy pregnancy. In contrast, the other options listed do not have the same direct role in preventing neural tube defects.