Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy preparation is very important for fetal neurological development, but excessive intake of folic acid may also have some negative effects. The following are some possible problems caused by excessive intake of folic acid during pregnancy:
1. Masking the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency: Excessive intake of folic acid may mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. , leading to vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation and nervous system function, so a lack of vitamin B12 may affect fetal neurodevelopment.
2. Mask the symptoms of anemia: Excessive intake of folic acid may mask the symptoms of anemia. Anemia can lead to insufficient oxygen supply and affect fetal health.
3. Increase the risk of fetal neural tube defects: Excessive intake of folic acid may increase the risk of fetal neural tube defects (such as spina bifida, meningocele, etc.). Although folic acid is critical for fetal neural tube development, excessive intake of folic acid may interfere with the absorption and utilization of other related nutrients, thereby increasing the risk of neural tube defects.
Therefore, when supplementing folic acid during pregnancy preparation, the dosage should be reasonably controlled according to the doctor\’s recommendations to avoid excessive intake. At the same time, you should also pay attention to a balanced diet and intake of other important vitamins and minerals. The most important thing is to start supplementing with folic acid as early as possible before preparing for pregnancy and continue to supplement during pregnancy to ensure that the needs of fetal neurological development are met.
Do I need to supplement folic acid when preparing for pregnancy?
Additional folic acid supplementation is required when preparing for pregnancy. Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9 that is essential for neural tube development and brain development in the embryo. Supplementing with folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects, especially neural tube defects such as spina bifida. It is recommended to take 400-800 micrograms of folic acid every day while preparing for pregnancy. You can get enough folic acid through oral folic acid supplements or food.
