neural tube defects
2 interactions related to neural tube defects
green tea + folate
Green tea catechins, especially EGCG, partly inhibit the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) in the small intestine, the main carrier for absorbing dietary folate and folic acid. In a controlled human study, taking folic acid together with green tea modestly lowered its peak blood level and total absorption compared with water. The direction is well established but the effect is small, and it is easily managed by separating the two in time.
oral contraceptives + folate
Combined oral contraceptive use is associated with modestly lower plasma and red blood cell folate levels, likely through increased turnover and urinary excretion. Because fertility can return quickly after stopping the pill, lower folate stores at that moment can matter for the neural tube risk of an early pregnancy.