Folic acid is an indispensable help during pregnancy. It belongs to the group of vitamins B (vitamins involved in human metabolism) and its function is that of prevent neural tube defects, that is, those problems that may arise in the brain or spinal cord.
However, folic acid is useful provided it is taken before conception and in the initial weeks of pregnancy. This is because the neural tube defects are usually original during the first four weeks of pregnancy; This means that possible neuronal abnormalities occur before many women know they are pregnant.
Therefore, it is important to have enough folic acid in the body of the woman before pregnancy, and for this it is recommended that they take it in fertile age. Despite this, too many women do not have the recommended daily amount of folic acid. We tell you when to start taking it and everything you need to know about folic acid
When to start?
If women of childbearing age consumed the recommended amount of folic acid before and during the first weeks of pregnancy, most neural tube defects could be prevented.
In all cases the ideal period for this pharmacological supplementation is from at least two months before the beginning of pregnancy, until the 12th week of gestation.
He neural tube It is the part of the embryo from which the brain and spinal cord are formed and begins to form during the first month of pregnancy. If there is any type of anomaly during the formation process (for example, if it is not completely closed), defects in the brain and spinal cord can occur.
There are two anomalies that occur more frequently whenever there is some type of defect in the neural tube. We are talking about spina bifida and anencephaly (or open spine).
Other congenital defects that can be avoided with an adequate amount of folic acid in the body are cleft lip, cleft palate and some heart problems.
How much folic acid is needed?
It is recommended that all women in conditions of becoming pregnant take a Vitamin supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid, always as part of a healthy diet.
The diet should include foods rich in folic acid (for example: flour, rice, pasta, bread and cereals) and in folate, that is, the natural form of folic acid found in some foods such as they are green leafy vegetables, legumes or oranges.
Our body absorbs approximately 50% of folate from food, while it absorbs about 85% of folic acid present in fortified foods and 100% of folic acid from vitamin supplements. Cooking and storage can destroy part of the food folate.
Do all women need the same amount of folic acid?
If the woman has suffered a pregnancy with neural tube defects it is necessary to consult her doctor before the next pregnancy to know the amount of folic acid to take.
In addition, if the woman has diabetes, epilepsy or obesity, she runs the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects, so they should also consult their doctor before pregnancy to find out if they should take a higher dose of folic acid.
How long is folic acid needed if I am pregnant?
At least during the first quarter. Some pregnant women are advised to continue taking additional folic acid throughout the pregnancy as it must produce the additional blood cells that their body needs during that period.
Folic acid also contributes to the rapid growth of the placenta and the fetus and is necessary to produce new DNA (genetic material) as the cells multiply. Without the proper amount of folic acid, cell division could be affected and lead to insufficient development of the fetus or placenta.
When to take folic acid: in the morning or at night?
It is better to take it fasting in the morning, since its absorption is greater.
How does folic acid prevent congenital defects?
While it is not known exactly how folic acid prevents neural tube defects, most studies suggest that it could be because correct nutritional deficiencies. It is also suggested that it is because the folic acid supplement helps people compensate for characteristic genetic traits that prevent them from taking advantage of the folate included in their diet. These features may pose an additional risk for women of having babies with neural tube defects.
What other benefits does folic acid provide?
Folic acid is important for everyone's health. Meets a important role in the production of red blood cells. People with folic acid deficiencies sometimes develop a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia (characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells). Folic acid could also play an important role in preventing other health problems.
Conclusion
Folic acid It is a vitamin B that helps protect the baby from the moment it is conceived against serious birth defects that affect the spine and brain, called neural tube defects. It is also currently believed that folic acid could help prevent certain health problems.
It is very important to take folic acid every day, especially during the weeks before conception and during the first weeks of pregnancy; Wait until you know if you are pregnant or not may not be beneficial for the baby.
It is advisable to take about 400 micrograms of folic acid every day and follow a healthy and balanced diet. Folic acid can be taken alone or in a multivitamin, in addition to finding various foods, such as cereal, orange juice or green leafy vegetables. But it is necessary to know that no matter how healthy and balanced the diet, it is difficult to obtain the necessary amount of folic acid from food. So, as you can see, Folic acid is an indispensable help during pregnancy.
