It is recommended to take 1 tablet of folic acid a day, at least 3 months before becoming pregnant and during the first 3 months of pregnancy, to avoid serious genetic changes in the baby and reduce the risk of preeclampsia or preterm birth.
Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that, when ingested at appropriate doses, helps prevent certain health problems such as heart disease, anemia, Alzheimer’s heart disease or heart attack, as well as fetal malformations.
- Folic acid can be taken daily as tablets.
- But also by eating vegetables.
- Fruits and cereals.
- Such as spinach.
- Broccoli.
- Lentils or cereals.
- For example.
- See other foods rich in folic acid.
Taking folic acid does not help you get pregnant, however, it reduces the risk of malformations of your baby’s spinal cord and brain, such as spina bifida or anencephaly, as well as pregnancy problems, such as preeclampsia and preterm birth.
Doctors recommend starting to take folic acid before becoming pregnant, as many women lack this vitamin and it is necessary to start taking supplements before conception. In fact, food is usually not enough to provide the necessary amounts of folic acid during pregnancy and therefore pregnant women should take multivitamin supplements, such as DTN-Fol or Femme F-lico, which contain at least 400 to 600 mcg. folic acid per day.
Recommended doses of folic acid vary by age and shelf life, as shown in the table:
When recommended daily doses of folic acid are exceeded, some symptoms may occur, such as constant nausea, bloating, excess gas or insomnia, so it is recommended to consult a general practitioner to measure folic acid levels using a blood test. Specific.
In addition, some women may have folic acid deficiency even if they eat foods rich in folic acid, especially if they are malnourished, poorly absorbed syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, anorexia or prolonged diarrhea, with symptoms such as excessive fatigue, headache, loss of appetite or heart palpitations.
In addition to maintaining fetal health, folic acid prevents problems such as anemia, cancer and depression, and can be used correctly even during pregnancy. Discover all the health benefits of folic acid.
Pregnant women should start taking folic acid supplements at least 1 month before becoming pregnant, as the formation of the baby’s brain and spinal cord begins within the first 3 weeks of gestation, while usually before the woman knows she is pregnant.
For example, the Ministry of Health recommends that all women of childbearing age between the ages of 14 and 35 take folic acid supplements to avoid problems during an unplanned pregnancy, for example.
Folic acid supplementation should be maintained during pregnancy until the third trimester, or as directed by the obstetrician after pregnancy.