A Hebrew University / Portuguese-led team of international researchers has discovered why taking folic acid during pregnancy protects the fetus from birth defects. Folic acid activates the ALDH1L1 gene, which impacts how the nervous system develops, especially the brain and spinal cord.

https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-portuguese-research-points-to-new-path-for-preventing-birth-defects/

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2616501123