Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, which is found naturally in some foods, which we will list below. Folic acid is a B vitamin that is especially needed during pregnancy. Taking folic acid shortly before and especially in early pregnancy can reduce the risk of serious neural tube defects in the baby.
They appear very early in development – four to five weeks after conception. During pregnancy, the neural tube forms and closes to form the spinal cord, brain and bones around the organs. When it doesn’t close, defects occur.
Spina bifida and anencephaly are two common forms of neural tube defects. This is a defect of the spinal cord, sometimes called an open spine. Anencephaly is a birth defect in babies - an abnormality characterized by underdeveloped brains and unformed skulls.
A study shows that if all women took 400 mcg of synthetic folic acid, neural tube defects would be reduced by 50-70 percent.
Research shows that folic acid may also prevent birth defects of the heart, limbs, and face. Some studies suggest that it may protect men and women from developing heart disease, uterine, colon, and breast cancers.
Required quantity
All pregnant women should take a multivitamin that contains 400 mcg of folic acid every day and follow a healthy diet. The diet should include foods rich in folic acid - such as fortified cereals (muesli, oatmeal), beans, green leafy vegetables and orange juice.
When should I start taking folic acid?
At first, you often don't know if you're pregnant. Sometimes it can be weeks before you find out. But you need to take folic acid at least a month before you get pregnant.
If you take a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day (even if you are not pregnant), you can reduce the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects.
Where can I get folic acid?
It is recommended that you take a multivitamin every day and eat a healthy diet, including foods rich in folic acid. This is the only sure way to get the folic acid and minerals you need.
What else do I need to do to have a healthy baby?
See your doctor. Don't smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs. Eat healthy foods. Maintain a healthy weight. And start taking care of yourself immediately as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
Folic acid and folate – what's the difference?
Folic acid is a B vitamin that is of great importance for normal growth and proper development.
Folate is another form of the B vitamin folic acid that is naturally available in food.
There are two main differences between folic acid and folate:
Where to find it? Folic acid is the synthetic form of the vitamin, which is used in supplements and fortified foods. Folate is found naturally in foods such as beans and other legumes, green leafy vegetables, and orange juice.
How does the body use them? Since the body almost completely absorbs folic acid, it only partially uses natural folate.
Folic Acid 400 µg is a dietary supplement in tablet form containing folic acid.
Recommended use: 1 tablet daily, after meals, or as recommended by a doctor.
