What is Folic acid ?
B9 vitamin called folic acid (also known as folate) is mostly found in fortified grains, legumes like beans and peas, and dark green vegetables like broccoli and spinach.
Benefits of Folic acid :
Vitamin B9, or folic acid, is an essential component needed for DNA replication as well as a variety of enzymatic processes related to vitamin and amino acid metabolism. Because folate is necessary for the fetus growth and development, demands for it rise throughout pregnancy. Anemia and peripheral neuropathy in mothers and abnormalities in foetuses have been linked to folate insufficiency (congenital abnormalities). It has long been understood that dietary folic acid supplementation around the time of conception lowers the risk of neural tube abnormalities (NTDs) in the offspring.
How much Folic acid is required to consume in pregnancy ?
From 12 weeks before to conception through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, you should take a supplement containing 400 mcg of folic acid every day. Various doses of folic acid supplements are sold over-the-counter by pharmacies. Look for supplements with 400 mcg or more of folic acid. Supplements with many vitamins typically have less.
Consuming nutritious meals containing folate, such as green leafy vegetables, broccoli, oranges, avocados, or fortified breads and cereals, is also helpful. More information on what foods to eat while pregnant may be found here.
Some persons who take folic acid supplements could encounter minor adverse effects like:
- Poor flavour in the mouth
- Nausea
- reduced appetite
- Confusion
- Irritability