When taking folic acid supplements, you must look at the dose. Do not supplement blindly. Control the intake. It is best to go to the hospital in advance to check the folic acid metabolism level before taking folic acid supplements.
The effects of folic acid deficiency:
1. During the growth of the fetus during pregnancy, neural tube development defects are prone to occur.
2. When the fetus is born, problems such as cleft lip and palate and heart defects may occur.
3. Pregnant women who lack folic acid will suffer from anemia and can easily induce preeclampsia and hyperlipidemia during pregnancy.
How to choose the right folic acid
Ordinary folic acid: It is a synthetic tablet that needs to be metabolized step by step before it can be absorbed by the body.
Active folic acid: Active folic acid is folic acid purified from natural vegetables and fruits. It does not need to be metabolized and can be directly absorbed and utilized by the body.
When should you take folic acid? 
Start supplementing 3 months before pregnancy, and the earlier, the better. Supplementing in advance is to correct the folic acid deficiency in the body.
If you take it continuously for 3 months, most women will not be deficient in folic acid. This can effectively prevent the occurrence of fetal neural tube defects. It also takes 3 months for the embryo\’s egg to grow.
So you should take folic acid for at least 3 months to provide a better growth environment for the eggs.
Side effects of folic acid
Excessive folic acid can cause fetal growth retardation and low weight.
Too little folic acid can lead to fetal neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate, and congenital heart disease.
Too little folic acid can lead to gestational hypertension, premature birth, and habitual miscarriage in pregnant women.
Too little folic acid can lead to low male sperm density, decreased activity, weakened erectile function, and abnormal number of chromosomes carried in semen, which can easily cause Down syndrome or miscarriage.
It should be noted that folic acid is not a panacea. It is not a substitute for a balanced diet. Pregnant mothers also need to pay attention to nutrition. The better way is to consult professional doctors and nutritionists.
