Vitamin B9 is a water-soluble substance that enters our body with certain foods, such as green leafy vegetables, cereals, and so on. However, even with a complete and balanced diet, it is far from always possible to achieve the desired content of folic acid in the body.
Why is this vitamin so important?
• Folic acid is involved in the replication of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), has an antioxidant effect, improves the absorption of some other vitamins, and maintains immunity.
• It is vitamin B9 that is responsible for the development of the neural tube in the unborn child.
• In addition, he is involved in the formation and maintenance of the functional activity of the placenta, reduces the risk of premature birth, intrauterine death of the baby.
• In 2021, scientists from the NMIC AGP named after. acad. V. I. Kulakov published a work, according to the results of which it was found that in addition to neural tube defects, folic acid intake is associated with a reduced risk of other malformations: esophageal atresia, conotruncal heart defects, cleft palate, urinary tract malformations and omphalocele, frequency some behavioral anomalies, in particular hyperactivity.
As for men's health, vitamin B9 promotes the formation of spermatozoa, increasing their mobility. Also, this substance reduces the risk of mutations in male germ cells, maintains the quality and quantity of seminal fluid.
Thus, taking folic acid at the stage of preconception preparation increases the likelihood of pregnancy, reduces the risk of complicated gestation, and makes it more likely to bear a healthy baby.