Why take folic acid?

Daily intake of the vitamin in the first semester prevents the development of intrauterine anomalies in the formation of the neural tube, from which the spinal cord and brain are formed. Possible malformations:

• anencephaly (malformation of the brain);

• malnutrition (delayed fetal development);

• cleft of the vertebral arches.

Folic acid is directly involved in the formation of blood components - leukocytes, platelets, prevents the development of pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract, vascular and cardiac systems. Besides:

• minimizes the risk of miscarriage and premature birth;

• helps to assimilate carbohydrates and amino acids;

• participates in cell division, DNA and RNA synthesis;

• is present in the formation of the structure of the placenta, tissues of the embryo, blood vessels in the uterus.

With its supply, nucleic acids are synthesized that are responsible for the transmission of genetic traits, so that the child receives hereditary traits.

Every second pregnant woman has a vitamin deficiency. First of all, this applies to women who have taken hormonal contraceptives for a long period, have abused alcohol, or have gastrointestinal pathologies.

B9 deficiency is easy to identify by external signs. After 2-4 weeks, depending on the reserve capacity of the body, appear:

• uncontrolled irritation;

• fast fatiguability.

In advanced cases, megablast anemia develops. Pathology of the bone marrow ends tragically.

Dosage of folic acid when planning pregnancy.

What should be the dosage of folic acid when planning a pregnancy for women? As well as the role of folic acid for men.

The body constantly needs vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, for the normal development of the fetus, it is necessary to take high doses of nutrients. Biosubstances obtained from food and pharmacy packages are not enough for the expectant mother. Of particular importance is attached to folic acid, which belongs to the group of water-soluble B vitamins.

In humans, the reserves of the component are 10-20 mg, however, the reserve must be replenished daily, since it is produced by the body in small quantities in a healthy intestinal flora. Moreover, the component obtained from food is destroyed by 90% during heat treatment. Compared to its natural counterpart, vitamin B9 tablets are better absorbed. In a pregnant woman, its deficiency is fraught with serious consequences. The need for admission increases every month - as the fetus develops.

Dosage of folic acid for women.

To prevent vitamin B9 deficiency and to conceive normally, women are advised to start taking folic acid 3-6 months before conception. During this period, the daily intake of folic acid should be at least 0.8 mg. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of fetal developmental disorders.

Vitamin B9 is prescribed to all women planning a pregnancy. The use of folic acid should continue both during the period of conception and throughout the entire period of bearing a child.

After successful conception, vitamin intake continues.

Recommendations for the use of folic acid.

Folic acid helps to get pregnant, and after that it is prescribed during all trimesters and during breastfeeding. When taking this remedy, it is worth considering contraindications that can nullify all efforts.

Under no circumstances is it recommended to use vitamin B9 together with the following drugs:

• painkillers;

• medicines for seizures;

• cytostatics;

• antibiotics.

Long-term use of folic acid when planning a pregnancy should occur under the strict guidance of a doctor.

  A big plus will be the timely delivery of a blood test for the amount of vitamin B12. It is this component, in combination with folic acid, that organizes the competent functioning of the glands and simulates the production of red blood cells.

Men use vitamin B9 to eliminate problems with conceiving a child. For the treatment of infertility, the drug can be prescribed to both parents.

The most common variant of the pathology leading to the violation is considered to be a downed set of chromosomes. It can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and poor diet.

For men, folic acid is prescribed before conception in an amount of 0.7-1.1 mg per day. Reception continues throughout the entire planning period of the child.

Also, additionally, men can be prescribed vitamin E, which stimulates the production of sperm. This interaction of the components will significantly increase the possibility of conceiving a child.

Signs of vitamin B9 deficiency in men:

• poor appetite;

• forgetfulness;

• problems in the work of the gastrointestinal tract;

• a significant proportion of dead spermatozoa.

• folic acid is not the only vitamin needed by the stronger sex during this period.

The benefits of folic acid for conception.

In case of purposeful conception of a child, the couple must undergo a mandatory examination by a specialized doctor. Folic acid before pregnancy is prescribed two months in advance. During this period, you should quit smoking, since this trace element is destroyed due to the components of cigarettes.

The lack of the required amount of this vitamin affects both the embryo and the newly born baby. When planning a pregnancy, folic acid should be activated in both the female and male bodies in advance.

If the lack of a microelement cannot be filled with products, then it is better to seek help from a specialist who will prescribe a suitable drug.

When taking the medicine, the dosage should be observed. Exceeding the norm of vitamin B9 during conception can lead to hypervitaminosis. However, if the component is poorly perceived by the body of future parents, the likelihood of a positive conception of a child is reduced.

Why is folic acid needed?

Folic acid is a B vitamin that is soluble in water. The trace element is not produced in the body, therefore, it needs a regular intake. In turn, you can replenish the element with food.

Vitamin B9 is necessary for the productive functioning of the brain and nervous system, and plays an important role in the process of structuring genetic material. This period must be accompanied by the required amount of the component.

Adverse reactions and contraindications of folic acid.

Vitamin B9 has low toxicity, is sold without a prescription, and is available at every pharmacy. But this should not mislead you that the drug is allowed to be used uncontrollably.

Possible side effects such as:

• bronchospasm;

• rash, itching, urticaria, skin redness;

• nausea, diarrhea, bloating;

• headache;

• temperature increase.

Contraindications for taking drugs with folates are:

• hypersensitivity;

• pernicious anemia;

• bronchial asthma;

• a history of malignant neoplasms in the next of kin;

• hypovitaminosis B12;

• chronic pyelonephritis.

Table of folic acid content in some foods.

 Table of folic acid content in some foods:

Product, 100g. B9, mcg.

Veal liver 269

Beef liver 240

Chicken liver 240

Peanut 240

Soybeans 224

Spinach 204

Egg yolk 154

Asparagus 118

Cod liver 110

Lentil 105

Broccoli 85

Spinach 80

Beans 90

Walnuts 77

Hazelnut 68

Cauliflower 66

Wheat groats 40

White mushrooms 40

Almond 40

Curd 35

Brynza 35

Barley groats 32

Buckwheat 32

Brussels sprouts 31

Kohlrabi cabbage 31

Champignons 30

Rye bread 30

Wheat grain bread 30

Oatmeal 29

Wheat flour of the highest grade 27

Perlovka 24

Manka 23

Cauliflower 23

Wheat bread 22.5

Premium pasta 20

Eggplant 18.5

Green onion 18

Sweet red pepper 17

Peas 16

Pumpkin 14

Beetroot 13

Cod 11.3

Tomatoes 11

Butter 10

How to take folic acid when planning a pregnancy?

Pills and dietary supplements are an easy way to cure folic acid hypovitaminosis. In addition, their bioavailability is higher, since the vitamin is not “hidden” behind fiber and other cells of the product.

Folate deficiency must be replenished by both parents. It is optimal to start 2-4 months before the planned conception.

Standard doses during pregnancy planning are:

• for a man 100–400 mcg per day;

• for a woman 400–800 mcg per day.

During lactation, the dosage is reduced to 300 mcg.

The doctor may increase the dose for a man to 2 g per day, for a woman up to 4 g per day in cases where:

• there were diseases associated with folate deficiency in the family;

• a man wants to improve the quality of sperm;

• the woman had spontaneous miscarriages, or the birth of children with congenital pathologies.

Folate preparations are taken after meals, as they irritate the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

In case of an allergy to folic acid tablets, the daily amount of B9 must be obtained from food.

Keep in mind that cooking, freezing, or canning will destroy up to 90% of the folate found in raw food.

Pay attention to greens, broccoli, nuts, cereals. Among animal products, the leader in the content of this vitamin will be the liver.

However, at the stage of gestation, offal should be abandoned. They contain an increased amount of vitamin A, the excess of which is unsafe for the fetus.

Why do expectant mothers need folate?

The folate requirement of a woman planning a pregnancy is much higher than that of her partner. Her body is preparing to “build” a new person. Most defects, such as the absence of a brain, an open hernia of the spinal cord, heart disease, are formed in the first trimester of pregnancy. To prevent this, it is necessary to take folates at the planning stage of pregnancy.

Folates are involved in the formation of the placenta. In case of violations, the risk of placental insufficiency and the development of complications increases, such as:

• placental abruption;

• delayed pregnancy;

• intrauterine death of a child.

They are also responsible for hematopoiesis, they are required to build RNA and DNA: they form all the organs and tissues of the baby. Thanks to folic acid, the nervous and cardiovascular systems of the embryo develop normally, which means that there is less likelihood of congenital malformations of the fetus.

A sufficient reserve of vitamin B9 prevents the development of anemia in the expectant mother. Relieves symptoms of toxicity. Prevents postpartum depression by participating in the synthesis of serotonin.