|
|
It's suggested the Centers for Disease
Control, the March of Dimes and United States Department of Public Health that women who have the potential of getting pregnant add a
supplement of 400 mcg of folic acid a day to prevent birth defects of the brain
and spinal cord called neural tube defects (NTDs). Studies have shown that
folic acid may help prevent some other birth defects as well, including cleft
lip and palate. Folic acid is recommended for all women of childbearing age
because most pregnancies in this country are unplanned. Folic acid has not been
determined to have an impact on fertility. Those who previously had a child with
neural tube defect should take 4 mg folic acid per day. Folic acid only works if
it's taken before pregnancy and in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Since most
malformations originate in the first month of pregnancy, before many women know
they are pregnant, it is important for a woman to have the folic acid in her
system before conception.
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate which is a B vitamin that is found
naturally in a variety of foods, including green leafy vegetables such as
collards, turnip greens, and Romaine lettuce; broccoli and asparagus, liver,
beans, citrus fruits and juices, whole-grain products, and wheat germ. Folic
acid is important for the formation of both red and white blood cells. The average
folate contained in a regular well-balanced diet is about 200 mcg, but a large
amount of it is not absorbed by your body, and the amount of folate in your diet
is not sufficient to fill your needs before and during pregnancy - for example,
1/2 cup of
vegetables and beans contains only 30-150 micrograms of folate.
Therefore, women of child-bearing age who have the potential to get pregnant need to supplement their
diet with additional folic acid if they want to decrease their risk of having a
baby with neural tube defect and other malformations. Because the neural tube
develops very early in the embryo's life, usually within 2-4 weeks after
conception, defects can actually occur in an embryo before you miss your period
or realize that you are pregnant.
Carefully read the ingredients of any vitamin supplements you
take. Most prenatal vitamin supplements have at least 400 micrograms of folic
acid, and many have more than that. You shouldn’t exceed 1000 micrograms (1
mg) of folic acid a day, as it has the potential to mask certain blood problems. Read the labels
of cereals that you eat. Nutrition information on food and dietary supplement
labels can help you determine whether they are getting enough folic acid. Taking
an adequate amount of folic acid daily will help you decrease the risk of many
birth defects.
|
