Folic acid \u2013 those of us who are pregnant, or even planning on getting pregnant, know it\u2019s definitely one of the most critical and essential vitamins for our body\u2019s proper functioning. In this article we\u2019ll shed light on the way that it helps build cells and the importance of taking it before getting pregnant and during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The importance and necessity of folic acid during pregnancy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Folic acid belongs to the group of vitamin B and is also called vitamin B9. Generally, it plays an essential role in building and creating new cells and preserving them and is especially essential during pregnancy and fetus growth, in which the cells our body rapidly split. The role of folic acid during pregnancy is in fact preparing your body (even when you\u2019re planning of getting pregnant) during the pregnancy itself and after it. Folic acid is important for the proper development of the fetus\u2019 nerves system in the first three months, and it\u2019s therefore important to take especially in the first trimester and even before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The necessity of folic acid had already been tested and proven with global health organizations and was found to significantly contribute to the proper development of the fetus\u2019 brain, nervous system and various bodily systems during pregnancy. They also found that taking folic acid during pregnancy contributes to the prevention of eclampsia as well as significantly reducing congenital defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fetus\u2019 organs develop in the first few weeks of the pregnancy, among them the brain and spine. A congenital defect of single cells at this early stage of the pregnancy \u2013 even before the mother knows she\u2019s pregnant \u2013 might cause defects in entire systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notice \u2013 <\/strong>you should keep taking folic acid throughout the pregnancy for proper fetus development and its growth, as well as preventing anemia in the mother. Since the pregnancy is unplanned in many cases, it\u2019s recommended that you take folic acid every day throughout your fertile years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, you should take folic acid naturally by eating certain foods: green vegetables and leaves such as spinach, lettuce, parsley, dill, broccoli, mangold and beets; legumes such as peas, beans and lentils; citrus; chokeberry; nuts and seeds. The form of folic acid in food is folate, which is the natural and most available form for absorption, without having to further convert it by the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it\u2019s not easy consuming the amount of folic acid necessary for pregnancy only through food, which is why you should take supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recommended dosage of folic acid for fertile women is at least 400mcg per day. Women who\u2019d given birth to a baby with a congenital defect in the past and have a history of it in the family, suffer from diabetes or overweigh, should get a physician\u2019s reference to take folic acid supplements up to 5mg per day \u2013 this dosage will of course be determined by a certified gynecologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many options and yet we have to choose one. We recommend taking folic acid in its folate derivative. Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Folate is the active and natural derivative of folic acid. The name folate is from the Latin word Folium<\/em>, which means leaves, since natural folic acid is highly concentrated in leaves. Folic acid in nature comes in \u201cfolate\u201d form and its advantage is by allowing it to come \u201creadymade\u201d without the body having to convert it, providing it with the effective and optimal absorption<\/strong>, just like it is in nature. This is in contrast to regular folic acid, which is the synthetic lab-produced form that should be converted. This conversion depends on an enzyme in the body called MTHFR in order to make it an active derivative and optimally absorb it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the population lacks the enzyme that has to do with the methylation process, due to genetic defect, and since it\u2019s not easily tested, you should take the active folate form, quickly absorbed and considered safer. How can you tell?<\/strong> Look for the name methyl-folate in the ingredient list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re all skeptical about taking supplements that cause side effects, it\u2019s understood. The great thing about folic acid, unlike other supplements, is that is side effects free, and you have nothing to fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In conclusion, folic acid during pregnancy is necessary for a proper process, both for the fetus and the mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a great and healthy pregnancy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You\u2019ve probably heard the two words \u2018folic acid\u2019 more than once during your pregnancy. But why is it so essential? And why is it important to take even before getting pregnant and during? You can find all the answers here!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":46026,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50,99],"tags":[37,49,55],"custom_type":[42],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is folic acid?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From dreaming of being pregnant all the way to breastfeeding your baby<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Women are recommended to take folic acid before getting pregnant and especially during the first three months of pregnancy, while they\u2019re fertile. Why is that?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How should you take folic acid?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Folic acid dosage during pregnancy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are so many types of folic acid, how do I choose?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No fear of side effects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n