Which vitamin can help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida?

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, plays a crucial role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, during early pregnancy. Neural tube defects occur when the neural tube, which develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord, does not close completely. Adequate folate intake before conception and during early pregnancy is essential, as it helps in cell division and the formation of DNA, thus promoting healthy neural development.

Health authorities recommend that women who are planning to become pregnant take a folic acid supplement (the synthetic form of folate) to reduce the risk of these defects. This has been supported by various studies demonstrating that increased folate intake can significantly lower the incidence of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.

Other vitamins listed in the options function in different capacities in the body but do not have a direct role in preventing neural tube defects. For example, vitamin K is primarily associated with blood clotting, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and plays a role in immune function, and vitamin D is crucial for bone health and calcium absorption. However, none of these vitamins directly contribute to the prevention of neural tube defects like folate does.