Folic acid is the man-made version of folate, a B vitamin that plays multiple roles in the body. During pregnancy, one of its most important functions is to prevent a group of birth abnormalities called neural tube defects.
The neural tube is a structure in the human fetus that develops into the brain and spinal cord.
This article explains the benefits of taking folic acid during pregnancy, when to take it, and how much to take.
Everyone needs folate, but it's especially important during pregnancy as it plays a role in preventing birth abnormalities.
The
Folic acid is the manufactured form of folate, an important B vitamin that occurs naturally.
Learn more about folic acid and folate here.
A person can get folic acid in their diet by taking supplements and eating foods fortified with folic acid, such as: B. Some breakfast cereals. A person can check the nutrition label to see if a food is fortified with folic acid.
Many foods — including spinach, avocado, and banana — contain folic acid, the naturally occurring form of this vitamin.
TheMTHFRGen-Mythos
In the alternative health community, a popular myth suggests that people with certain variants in theMTHFRGen cannot process folic acid. However, research has shown that this is not true.
Proponents of this myth claim that pregnant women need a different form of folic acid or that folic acid is even harmful. They can use this myth to sell supplements or promote alternative health scams.
According to the
People with this genetic difference can metabolize all forms of folic acid, including folic acid.
Additionally, folic acid is the only type of folate directly linked to the prevention of neural tube defects. Therefore, people should take folic acid regardless of the typeMTHFRgene they carry.
Folic acid helps the body
People who don't get enough folic acid can develop a condition called folic acidFolate deficiency.
In people with this condition, the body cannot make enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. This impairment can affect many aspects of health, including organ function.
During pregnancy, a person needs
Spina bifida is a condition in which the bones of the spinal cord do not close completely. It can cause a range of disabilities that can affect development, mobility, and overall health.
A baby with anencephaly either does not develop a brain or the brain is very underdeveloped. In almost all cases, anencephaly is fatal, either in the womb or very soon after birth.
Anyone wishing to conceive should start taking folic acid supplements before attempting it.
This is because neural tube defects occur early in development, often before a person knows they are pregnant.
Because about half of the pregnancies are unplanned, say experts
Folic acid is water-soluble, which means it can be metabolized quickly by the body. For this reason, those who take folic acid supplements need to take one every day.
There is no need to take the supplement at a specific time of day or with a meal. However, if you develop a habit, such as For example, taking a prenatal vitamin with breakfast each morning can make it easier to remember to take folic acid.
The CDC notes that in most cases, each pill contains folic acid or a multivitamin
(Video) How long do I have to take folic acid during pregnancy? - Dr. Anupama Rohidekar
TheAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)recommend taking a daily supplement of 400 µg folic acid, regardless of how much folate a person is consumingin their diet.
A person should not take more than
Foods naturally high in folic acid, the natural form of folic acid,
- Banana:24 mcg per medium-sized fruit
- Spinach:131 mcg per half cup cooked
- Black Eyed Peas:105 mcg per half cup cooked
- Avocado:59 mcg per half cup
- Broccoli:52 mcg per half cup
- Orange juice:35 mcg per three-quarters cup
- Asparagus:89 mcg per four spears
- The Brussels sprouts:78 mcg per half cup
Fortified cereals like breakfast cereal and oatmeal are also high in folic acid. A person can check the label to know the exact amount.
It is possible to get enough folic acid through diet, but ACOG still recommends taking a dietary supplement during pregnancy.
It is safe to combine folic acid supplements with naturally occurring folate in the diet.
It is
A person does not need to monitor their daily intake of dietary folic acid, but should monitor their use of supplements containing folic acid.
Prenatal vitamins and many multivitamins contain folic acid. Individuals taking multiple supplements should check each label to ensure they are not taking more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid per day.
AStudy 2020of mice found that both too much and too little dietary folic acid damaged brain development in mice offspring before birth.
Scientists need to investigate more closely whether this is also the case in humans.
Folic acid can improve the chances of getting and staying pregnant.
A
The participants who took the supplement were more likely to become pregnant. In those whose cycles were irregular or very short or long, folic acid was even more closely correlated with pregnancy.
Additionally, folic acid may help prevent pregnancy loss, as some birth abnormalities, including neural tube defects, can lead to this complication.
Folic acid is an essential nutrient for everyone, but it is especially important during pregnancy.
Individuals planning to conceive may want to speak to a healthcare provider about proper dosages of folic acid. Anyone who is already pregnant can use a folic acid test to determine how much folic acid is in their blood. The result can indicate the possibility of having a baby with neural tube defects.