Healthy eating is not only associated with prolonged life but also with a life that is balanced and optimized. Pregnancy is one such time in a woman’s life when she needs extra care and attention and thus consumption of folic acid becomes an absolute necessity.
Thus today we have compiled some of the basic information in this regard.
What is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is a more known and easy available version of Vitamin B folate. Folic acid or folate is highly essential for pregnant women because it is needed by the body for the formation of red blood cells. In addition to all this, it is also needed for the development of the nervous system of the baby such as the brain and spinal cord. Keto complete reviews chemist warehouse
Why is Folic Acid Important?
It is not only pregnant women that need to consume folic acid, everyone is entitled to take folic acid. This is because folic acid is necessary for proper and optimized growth and development of the human body.
But there is an ongoing stretch on the consumption of folic acid for pregnant women. It is an absolute necessity for the proper development of the baby’s organs and system.
How Much Folic Acid Should Women Take?
Now a normal query here is how much is the right amount of folic acid that women need to take in order to stay healthy and active. According to the best gynecologist in Karachi, women who are of reproductive age should start taking 400 micrograms of folate on a daily basis.
If you are relying on multivitamins then you need to ensure that it has a justified amount of folic acid in them. And if you are not a fan of multivitamins then you should only settle for folic acid pills because they are sure to make up for the deficient amount in your body.
But if there is a pregnant woman, here is the needed amount of folic acid that she should take:
- If you are trying to conceive then you should take 400 mcg
- If you are in the first trimester then you should take 400 mcg
- If you are in the last trimester then you should take 600 mcg
- If you are a breastfeeding mother then you should take 500 mcg
But this amount can fluctuate if you are battling with one of the following health complications then needs to be catered to immediately:
- Sickle cell disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Certain medications
- Diabetes type 2
- Asthma
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Epilepsy
How Long Does it Take Women to Get Pregnant if they are Taking Folic Acid?
In case you are trying to conceive then it is high time for you to start taking folic acid. Doctors are known to recommend folic acid in younger girls as well who have just started getting their periods.
It is important for women to realize that the concepts of fertility and infertility may differ from person to person. Folic acid is an important vitamin that is needed by the body not just when it is bearing the burden of life but also when a girl is on the verge of embracing her womanhood.
Therefore, women need to be extra attentive towards such matters of eating right and beneficial as it promises to yield good and healthy results.
Is it Possible to Get Enough Folic Acid from Foods?
Leafy greens such as beets, spinach, kale and Brussel sprouts are some of the best food options for a healthy supply of folic acid to the blood. Furthermore, it is not just the leafy greens that promise folic acid, fortified breakfast cereals also do the same.
But keeping track of whether you are getting the right amount of folic acid from food or not is why taking help from a supplement becomes primary.
Moreover, if you are dealing with nausea during pregnancy then you should up your intake of folic acid.
But remember that pregnant women should not take more than 1000 mcg of folic acid per day from all the assigned sources such as vitamins, foods or cereals.
What are the Health Benefits of Consuming Folic Acid for Pregnant Women?
When there is a sufficient amount of folic acid in the body it protects the child from the given below health complications such as:
- Infertility in the womb
- Reduced chances of losing the baby during pregnancy
- Premature birth or birth before the due date
- Miscarriage
- Cleft lip and palate
- Low birth weight
Good levels of folic acid in pregnant women also secures the mother’s health from the following problems such as:
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Complications of pregnancy
- Digestive problems
The Bottom Line
Folic acid is one of the most important things for pregnant women. That is why they need to consult with their gynecologist regarding the needed levels of folic acid for a healthy pregnancy.
