Which nutrient is crucial for preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy?

Folic acid is essential in preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy because it plays a critical role in the development of the fetal neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord. Adequate folate levels before and during early pregnancy have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of serious birth defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. It is recommended that women of childbearing age consume folic acid supplements, along with a diet rich in natural sources of folate, to ensure sufficient levels are present at the time of conception and during the first trimester, when neural tube development occurs.

While iron, calcium, and vitamin D are important nutrients for overall maternal and fetal health during pregnancy, they do not specifically target the prevention of neural tube defects in the way that folic acid does. Iron is crucial for preventing anemia, calcium supports the development of the fetal skeleton, and vitamin D helps in calcium absorption and bone health, but none of these nutrients have the same established role in preventing neural tube defects as folic acid.