When should you start taking folic acid when preparing for pregnancy? This is a common concern for families preparing for pregnancy. The importance of folic acid during pregnancy is of great concern because it is crucial for the development of the fetal neural tube. So, when should we start taking folic acid when preparing for pregnancy?
1. The role of folic acid: First, we need to understand the role of folic acid in the human body. Folic acid is a B vitamin that is involved in DNA synthesis and cell division, especially playing a vital role in fetal neural tube development. Adequate folic acid intake may reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus, such as spina bifida and meningeal prolapse.
2. Start taking folic acid in advance: According to the recommendations of medical experts, couples preparing for pregnancy should start taking folic acid one month before pregnancy. This is because folic acid begins to affect the fetal neural tube development in early pregnancy, and it takes a while for folic acid to be stored in the body, so intake needs to be started in advance.
3. Recommended dosage: When preparing for pregnancy, you should consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to ensure adequate folic acid reserves. In addition, some experts recommend increasing folic acid intake in early pregnancy, which can reach 600-800 micrograms/day. However, the specific dosage should still be determined based on individual circumstances and the advice of your doctor.
4. Sources of folic acid intake: Folic acid can be obtained through food intake or oral folic acid supplements. Foods rich in folate include green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, kale), legumes, citrus fruits, nuts and whole grains. However, because the absorption rate of folic acid from food is relatively low, many couples trying to conceive will choose oral folic acid supplements to ensure adequate intake.
5. Note: When choosing folic acid supplements, you should choose water-soluble folic acid supplements because they are more easily absorbed by the body. In addition, couples preparing for pregnancy should be careful not to consume too much folic acid, as high doses of folic acid may mask symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and lead to health problems such as anemia.
To sum up, when preparing for pregnancy, you should start taking folic acid one month before pregnancy to ensure adequate folic acid reserves. A daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid is the recommended dose, but it can be increased appropriately in early pregnancy. Folic acid can be taken through food or as an oral supplement, but be careful to choose a water-soluble supplement. Families preparing for pregnancy should follow their doctor’s advice and be careful not to consume too much folic acid. In this way, folic acid intake during pregnancy preparation can be well controlled and provide good support for the fetal neural tube development.
