Folic acid is perhaps one of the most important nutrients you must add to your diet while trying to get pregnant and after. 

What is folic acid?

Folic acid, also known as folate, is a B vitamin which helps the body make healthy new cells through proper cell division. This function is very important for various needs during pregnancy, especially the production and function of DNA and complex metabolic processes.
 
The time in which it is most important to take Folic acid is before and during the first weeks of pregnancy. Why? When a woman takes enough folic acid on a daily basis before and during pregnancy, it reduces the risk of neural tube birth defects which affect the baby’s brain or spine by nearly 50 percent.

Since half of the pregnancies in the US are not planned in advance (and we are all part of the statistics…), you should take Folic acid each day, even if you are not planning to get pregnant.

How much should I be taking?

The best thing is to ask your physician what is the amount he would recommend since this varies according to your own medical history. 

You should aim for at least 400 mcg each cay, but different stages in your pregnancy demand slightly different amounts. It’s quite simple:

a)  You are able to get pregnant - Take 400 mcg of folic acid every day.
b)  You are pregnant - Take 600mcg of folic acid every day.
c)  You are breastfeeding - Take 500mcg of folic acid every day.

But where can I find "Folic acid"?

1. The easiest way would probably be a multivitamin, or a vitamin pill that contains Folic acid. This way you can be sure you are taking the right amount.  Check the label on the vitamin to be sure, it should say “400 mcg” or “100%” next to folic acid (or the term "folate"). You can find both types of vitamins at your local grocery, drug store, or discount store. 

2.  Another way to get enough folic acid is to eat a serving of breakfast cereal that contains 100% of the daily value (DV) for folic acid each day. Check the label on the box to be sure it has enough.

3.  You can also add to your diet foods which naturally contain folate (the natural form of Folic acid): broccoli, asparagus, bananas, oranges, peas, nuts, whole-grain bread, and lentils.

The importance of Folic acid is not questioned and recent studies suggest that Folic acid might also have benefits in the prevention of heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and possibly Alzheimer’s disease. So try not to forget your daily dose!
 

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed