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Folic Acid | the American Pregnancy Association

Folic acid and folate, are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin that helps the body make healthy new cells. Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant take folic acid to prevent miscarriage and birth defects. Folic Acid is used to make the extra blood your body needs during pregnancy. According to the US Preventative Task Force, all women of childbearing age should consume 600 – 800 micrograms (0.6 – 0.8 milligrams) of folic acid a day.

You should start taking folic acid prior to getting pregnant even if you are not trying to conceive. Neural tube defects usually develop in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant.

If you find you are pregnant and have not been taking folic acid, you should start now to help prevent any neural defects in the first three months of pregnancy.

What’s the difference between Folic Acid and Folate?

People often use the two interchangeably as they are both forms of vitamin B9 but in fact there is an important difference. Folic acid is the synthesized version that is commonly used in processed foods and supplements. Folate can be found in whole foods such as leafy vegetables, eggs, and citrus fruits. Unfortunately, a large percentage of women (up to 60%) have a defect in their MTHFR gene that doesn’t allow them to properly convert synthetic folic acid into active methylfolate. As such women taking folic acid may not be absorbing their B vitamins as expected. For this reason it’s preferable to take folate either from whole food sources or supplements that containing the natural form of active folate instead of synthesized folic acid whenever possible.

What are the risks of not taking folic acid?

The absence of this important nutrient increases the possibility of a neural tube defect (a defect in the development of the spinal cord).

• Spina bifida is a condition in which the spinal cord is exposed. If the vertebrae (bones of the spinal column) surrounding the spinal cord do not close properly during the first 28 days after fertilization, the cord or spinal fluid bulge through, usually in the lower back.
• Anencephaly is the severe underdevelopment of the brain.

What foods contain folic acid?

Approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned, so the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has taken steps to fortify certain foods so that all women of childbearing age receive a daily dose of folic acid.

The following foods can help you obtain your recommended amount:

• Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach
• Citrus fruits, such as orange juice
• Beans, peas and nuts
• Enriched bread, cereals and other grain products
• Rice
• Pasta

A daily vitamin with folic acid may be suggested by your health care provider since the foods listed above may not contain enough folic acid to meet the daily requirement.

How do I know if I am at risk of having a baby with neural defects, and how can I prevent this from happening?

Women who are at greatest risk are those that have had a previous pregnancy that involved a neural defect. Women who are not eating a balanced diet that includes folic acid are also at risk.
The best way to prevent neural defects is to take the recommended 600 – 800 micrograms (0.6 – 0.8 milligrams) of folic acid daily for one month before conception and during the first three months of pregnancy. The daily amount should not exceed 1000 micrograms (1.0 milligrams).

Multivitamins that include folic acid should only be used as a supplement under the supervision of your health care provider.

How are neural tube defects diagnosed?

Neural tube defects are detected through an alpha-fetoprotein test (AFP). AFP is a blood test administered at 16-18 weeks gestation.  The test measures alpha-fetoprotein, a substance produced by the fetus and secreted into the amniotic fluid.
AFP is also found in the mother’s blood. The level of AFP in the mother’s blood peaks at about 30-32 weeks.  Abnormally high amounts of AFP may indicate that a baby has a neural tube defect.

What are other reasons for an elevated AFP?

An elevated AFP could mean the mother is carrying twins or that there is a problem with the placenta. Women with diabetes or liver disease may also have an elevated AFP level.

However, an elevated AFP could also mean that there are birth defects present such as severe kidney disease, liver disease, esophageal or intestinal blockage, Down Syndrome, urinary obstruction, or osteogenesis imperfecta (fragility of the baby’s bones).

If I have an elevated AFP, what additional tests are available?

• A second AFP test
• Ultrasound
• Amniocentesis

Want to Know More?

• Pregnancy Nutrition
• Natural Sources of Vitamin B6 During Pregnancy
• Role of Vitamin B in Pregnancy
• Vitamin D and Pregnancy

Folic acid during pregnancy - Nutriclub

Folic acid is the main vitamin of pregnancy. Doctors recommend starting taking it even at the stage of preparation for bearing a child. We understand why it is so important and how to maintain the optimal level of folic acid in the body

Why is folic acid useful?

Folic acid (vitamin B9) affects the development of the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy: it is involved in processes such as hematopoiesis, cell division, the work of the cardiovascular and immune systems, etc. nine0004

This vitamin plays an essential role in the formation of the neural tube of the fetus, the germ that forms during the first month of life and subsequently becomes the spine and brain. In order for the neural tube to develop properly, there must be enough folic acid in the body of the expectant mother.

When to take?

Doctors around the world recommend that expectant mothers consume folic acid at least three months before a planned pregnancy. Follow up with vitamin B9 supplementsstands during the entire first trimester, especially during the most important period - the first month of pregnancy, when the development, formation and closure of the neural tube of the fetus occurs.

How much?

A pregnant woman needs 400 micrograms of folic acid per day. Despite the fact that B9 is found in many foods, the substance that comes with food may not be enough. Supplementing your daily intake of folic acid will ensure that you are getting enough of this vitamin for your baby to develop properly. nine0004

Sometimes a fetus has an increased risk of developing neural tube defects, and then, to better protect the baby, the doctor may increase the recommended daily allowance to 5,000 micrograms. As a rule, this happens in the following cases:

• if at least one of the future parents or family members had neural tube defects;
• if neural tube defects were observed in a previous pregnancy;
• if the expectant mother has diabetes; nine0027
• if she is taking medication for epilepsy.

Where can I find folic acid?

There are medications and vitamin and mineral supplements that contain folic acid.

In its natural form, this substance is found in large quantities in:

• green leafy vegetables;
• liver and other offal;
• nuts

Remember that folic acid dissolves in water, so when cooking vegetables lose it (up to 40% and 83% respectively when boiled and stewed). More gentle cooking options are steaming, blanching, baking, but it is best to eat raw whenever possible. If you still prefer to boil your vegetables, use the leftover broth, for example, as a gravy or for making soup. nine0003

Why is folic acid useful during pregnancy and how long should it be taken?

Folic acid is the key to the proper development of the child in the womb. Therefore, doctors advise starting taking this substance at the stage of pregnancy planning. Without fail, the drug is prescribed in the early stages of bearing a child. But in large quantities, folic acid can be harmful, so you need to know the nuances. nine0004

Benefits of folic acid

Folic acid is involved in the development of the baby's neural tube. Also with the participation of this most important substance is the formation of a healthy and full-fledged placenta, blood cells, DNA and RNA.

With a deficiency of this substance, the expectant mother has dangerous consequences:

• development of abnormalities in the fetus;
• inability to endure pregnancy;
• defects in the formation of the child's brain and, as a result, mental retardation; nine0027
• depression in pregnancy;
• complex forms of toxicosis;
• anemia;
• leg pain and swelling.

Attention! The human body does not produce folic acid directly, but it is synthesized in the intestines during the processing of food.

Useful properties of vitamin B₉:

• has a positive effect on the female nervous system;
nine0026 stimulates the endocrine glands;
• improves fat metabolism;
• has a positive effect on the condition of the skin;
• normalizes the female hormonal background.

Health requires a person to consume and absorb at least 200 micrograms of folic acid daily. But this is normal for the average person. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, a woman's need for vitamin B₉ doubles. nine0071