All women of childbearing age (menstruating women) should take the recommended amount of folic acid. Even if you're not planning to get pregnant, your body needs folic acid to make new cells every day. Most importantly, getting enough folic acid protects your baby from neural tube defects and reduces the risk of developing them. The most common congenital anomaly in our country and in the world is neural tube defect. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They change the shape or function of one or more parts of the baby's body and can cause serious lifelong problems for a baby.
What is the difference between folic acid and folate?
Folic acid and folate contain vitamin B9. Folic acid is a handmade chemical type of vitamin B9 that is used in vitamin supplements and added to some foods. Folate is the natural type of vitamin B9 found in green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, peas and hazelnuts. The biggest difference between folic acid and folate is that the body uses folic acid more easily than folate. Since folic acid is used more efficiently by the body, folic acid is used in the first stage.
How much folic acid does my body need?
Folic acid is measured in micrograms (mcg). The World Health Organization has determined the recommended daily intake for women of childbearing age as 400 micrograms. Folic acid can be added to the diet of many foods rich in folic acid to ensure that individuals' diet is adequate.
Folic Acid Requirement During Pregnancy
The reason for the increase in folate requirement during pregnancy is tissue synthesis in both the fetus and pregnant women. . They are known as physiological changes. Since it is not possible to meet the increased folate requirement with diet alone, folic acid supplementation in pregnant women is recommended all over the world. NTD, anemia, etc. during pregnancy, if possible before. In order to prevent health problems, WHO recommends that every woman consume 400 mcg/day or 2800 mcg of folic acid once a week and consume foods rich in folic acid. For women who have faced NTD problems in previous pregnancies, 4-5 mg/day folic acid supplementation, which is described as a medication dose, is among the recommendations to reduce this risk in subsequent pregnancies. Pregnancy with a planned pregnancy It is necessary to start folic acid supplementation (400 mcg/day) beforehand and continue using it throughout the first trimester. It is known that support should be started 2.5-3.5 months before pregnancy. It has been reported that in folate deficiency, men also have a decrease in sperm count and poor quality.
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