What is folic acid?
Folic (FOH-lik) acid is a B vitamin and it is essential for making healthy new tissues. "Folic acid" and "folate" is one and same thing. Folic acid is a manmade way of vitamin b or you can say that folate. Folate is also found in some natural meals. Many female do not get proper amount of folic acid, which they can take through food.
Who needs folic acid?
Everyone needs folic acid, but it is more essential for women health when she is pregnant. The expert says that woman must take sufficient amount of folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, in order to avoid significant birth defects, including:
Spina bifida (SPEYE-nuh BIF-ih-duh), is a congenital disorder, which happens because of incomplete closing of backbone in unborn baby. Consequently, the nerves that regulate leg movements and other features do not works properly. It is also found that kids with spina bifida have lifelong disabilities which may also need many surgeries.
Anencephaly (an-en-SEF-uh-lee), is a cephalic disorder, in which large portion of brain does not create. Babies born with this issue die before or soon after birth.
The research also found that folic acid might also help to avoid other kinds of birth defects.
Folic acidity also allows keep your blood healthier. Not getting enough amount of folic acid can result to anemia.
Experts says that folic acid may also play an important role in:
- Heart health
- Preventing cell changes that may lead to cancer
- More research is needed to know this for certain.
How much folic acid do women need?
Females who is pregnant need to take about 400 to 800 mcg or micrograms of folic acid every day, even if they are not preparing to get pregnant. That manner, if they do become pregnant, their children are less likely to have birth defects problems. You must discuss this with your physician; about how much folic acid you need if you are expecting or planning:
If you are expecting or are planning to become pregnant then you must need around 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid in the very early stages of pregnancy often before they know that they are pregnant. A pregnant woman should keep consuming folic acid intake throughout pregnancy. You should keep talk about the folic acid dose needs with their physicians. Some doctors recommend prenatal vitamins that consist of higher amounts of vitamin b, folic acid.
If you are Breastfeeding then you need 500 mcg. Some physicians recommend that Breastfeeding females keep having their prenatal vitamins to be sure they are getting a lot of vitamin b or folic acid while they are breastfeeding and should they become expecting again.
If you already had a baby suffering with birth defect of the brain or spine and want to get pregnant again, then in such case you must talk with physician, he will provide you good dose of 4,000 mcg of folic acid which is 10 times the normal amount and this will be beneficial for you, as high amount of folic acid, will lower the risk of having another child with these birth defects.
If anyone of your family is with spina bifida. Your physician may provide you with a prescription for 4,000 mcg vitamin b folic acidity.
It is found that in some cases people also need more amount of folic acid thus you must talk to your doctor about how much folic acid you must need:
- Are taking medicines that treat Epilepsy and Type 2 diabetes.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney disease and are on dialysis.
- Liver disease.
- Sickle cell disease.
- Celiac disease.
- Alcoholic drink consumption.
What foods contain folic acid?
There are various foods which contain lots of folic acid: leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans (legumes), and whole grains.
- Breakfast cereals
- Breads
- Flours
- Pastas
- Cornmeal
- White rice
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Yeast extract
- Orange juice
- Bananas
- Peanuts
- Granary
- Whole meal bread.
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