Why should we supplement folic acid before pregnancy?
During pregnancy preparation, in addition to paying attention to diet and nutrition, preparing your mentality and lifestyle, supplementing folic acid is also essential. Folic acid is a B vitamin that plays a vital role in fetal neural tube development. If a pregnant woman is deficient in folate, adverse neural tube defects can result.
In addition, some studies have found that folic acid can reduce the risk of fetal malformations such as heart and cleft lip. Therefore, the sooner you start taking folic acid supplements before pregnancy, the better.
What is the appropriate amount of folic acid supplement?
Experts recommend supplementing 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day starting in the first three months of pregnancy until before 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you are already pregnant, you should continue to supplement folic acid every day until the end of the pregnancy. If there is a family history or risk of birth defects, a daily supplement of 1,000 mcg of folic acid is recommended. In order to better absorb folic acid, you can choose appropriate nutritional supplements.
How should I get enough folic acid?
In addition to nutritional supplements, food is also an important source of folic acid. Green vegetables, whole wheat bread, oats, fruits and soy products are rich in folic acid. In addition, liver, egg yolks, animal kidneys and other animal internal organs are also good sources of folic acid. However, it should be noted that folic acid is easily destroyed during the cooking process, so you should choose some simple cooking methods, such as cold salad, steaming, etc., to avoid destroying the nutrients.
Precautions for supplementing folic acid
Although folic acid has many benefits, excessive intake may also cause some problems. Too much folic acid may mask symptoms of conditions such as anemia, so supplements should not be taken in large amounts. In addition, if pregnant women are taking other medications, they should consult their doctor before starting folic acid supplements. At the same time, if adverse reactions such as allergies occur, you should immediately stop supplementing with folic acid and consult a doctor for advice.
Summary
Regarding how long before pregnancy is the best time to start supplementing with folic acid, we can elaborate on the importance of folic acid, the appropriate amount of supplementation, the method of obtaining folic acid, and the precautions for supplementing folic acid. Folic acid plays an important role in pre-pregnancy preparation. It is recommended to supplement 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day, while ensuring adequate nutritional intake and a healthy lifestyle. If you have any adverse symptoms or questions, you should consult your doctor promptly.
