The importance and recommended dosage of taking folic acid before preparing for pregnancy
1. The importance of folic acid
Eating folic acid before preparing for pregnancy is essential for the health of women and fetuses. Folic acid is a B vitamin that is essential for neural tube development in the fetus. In early pregnancy, the fetal neural tube closes, and folic acid can prevent fetal neurological development problems such as cerebrospinal tube defects. In addition, folic acid can help prevent anemia in pregnant women, premature birth and the birth of low birth weight babies.
2. Recommended dosage
According to expert recommendations, women should consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before preparing for pregnancy and in early pregnancy. For women who are already pregnant, it is recommended to increase to 600 micrograms per day. Folic acid intake should begin as soon as you are trying to conceive, as folic acid is critical in the weeks leading up to neural tube closure in early pregnancy.
3. How to consume enough folic acid
In addition to taking folic acid through meals, you can also consider supplementing with folic acid tablets. Common foods rich in folic acid include dark green vegetables (such as spinach, kale), beans (such as black beans, soybeans), nuts and wheat bran. However, dietary folic acid intake is often not enough, so experts recommend taking folic acid tablets before preparing for pregnancy and during early pregnancy to ensure adequate folic acid intake.
4. Notes
You need to pay attention to the following points when taking folic acid before preparing for pregnancy:
– Do not consume too much folic acid. Although folic acid is very important for fetal development, excessive intake of folic acid can also have side effects. Excessive folic acid intake may mask symptoms of anemia and make vitamin B12 deficientAnemia can be difficult to detect, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
– It is best to start taking folic acid supplements three months before trying to conceive. Because fetal neural tube development begins early in pregnancy, it is important to consume adequate folic acid starting in the first three months of pregnancy.
– If you have other health problems, it is best to seek medical advice. Some diseases or medications may affect the absorption or metabolism of folic acid, so if you have other health problems, it is best to seek advice from your doctor before trying to conceive.
In short, taking folic acid before preparing for pregnancy is very important to promote the normal development of the fetal neural tube and prevent some pregnancy complications. According to expert recommendations, women should consume 400-600 micrograms of folic acid every day before preparing for pregnancy and in early pregnancy, and can consume sufficient folic acid through meals and folic acid tablets. However, be careful not to over-consume folic acid, and it is best to start taking folic acid supplements three months before trying to conceive. If you have other health problems, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
