Blog post from February 29
Early pregnancy
Folic acid deficiency in pregnancy
Beware of folic acid deficiency in pregnancy. Do you know what it can cause?
During pregnancy, the requirements for macronutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, and proteins increase, as do the requirements for micronutrients, i.e. minerals and vitamins. Folic acid is particularly important for the healthy development of the child. Why focus on sufficient folic acid intake and how does folic acid deficiency manifest itself?
What is folic acid and why is it important in pregnancy?
Many women ask if they need to take folate or folic acid for pregnancy. The answer is both. Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a naturally occurring B vitamin. Folate and folic acid are often confused, but they are not the same. They are different forms of the same vitamin, namely vitamin B9.
Folic acid performs several functions in the body, together with vitamin B12 it is involved in blood formation. It is also important in the process of cell division and the formation of nucleic acids, which carry genetic information. Last but not least, it is crucial for the proper growth and development of the fetus.
What are the symptoms of folic acid deficiency?
How can you tell if you don't have enough folic acid? Symptoms include fatigue, impaired fetus growth and decreased blood formation. Indigestion and changes in the mucous membranes may also occur. Other possible symptoms include weakness, paleness, forgetfulness and mood swings.
Folic acid in pregnancy
As we have already outlined above, folic acid deficiency in pregnancy is very dangerous since it can damage the fetal nervous system and its growth. So, what is the best time to take folic acid during pregnancy? Experts agree that it is ideal to start taking folic acid supplements when you are preparing for pregnancy. Adequate folic acid intake in the first trimester of pregnancy is essential.
What happens if you don’t take folic acid during pregnancy?
The critical period of fetal development occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. One of the first structures to begin to form is the neural tube. It is flat at first, but just a month after conception it coalesces into a tube to subsequently become the brain and spinal cord. Without enough folic acid in the body, the cells in this structure cannot function and grow properly. The baby's spine, skull and brain can thus be affected by abnormalities.
Adequate folic acid intake during pregnancy and ideally even before conception is therefore essential for the healthy development of the child. Studies show that it can prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, which include, for example, the relatively common spina bifida.
How to supply the body with sufficient folic acid?
Folate, the natural form of folic acid, is available in common foods. It is mainly found in green leaves, so foods high in folate include spinach, broccoli, cabbage, kale, but also beetroot, chicken liver, whole cereal grains, nuts, or yeast.
In general, 200 milligrams of folic acid per day should be taken, but during pregnancy the need for folic acid increases up to twice as much. It is therefore necessary for women to reach for folic acid supplements in pregnancy.
TIP: Mabelle dietary supplements
The increased need for folic acid and other nutrients in pregnancy can be effectively resolved by Mabelle dietary supplements. They are designed to meet the needs of the body at different stages of pregnancy, i.e. during the planning of pregnancy as well as during the first, second and third trimesters and during breastfeeding.
Is it possible to take too much folic acid during pregnancy?
If you exceed your daily dose of folic acid, there is no need to worry. Folic acid, like other B vitamins, is water-soluble. Excess folic acid that is not absorbed by the body is consequently excreted in the urine.
Therefore, before conception and during pregnancy, consume an increased amount of folate-rich foods and, above all, take appropriately selected supplements.
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mabelle 2 · EARLY PREGNANCY
Provides your body with important substances that your body needs specifically during the first trimester of pregnancy (… read more [+]
Provides your body with important substances that your body needs specifically during the first trimester of pregnancy (until the end of the 12. week). Supports your health and a healthy development of your baby.
Supplementation with folic acid is recommended to all women during pregnancy to reach a protective folate level in order to reduce risk factor of baby’s neural tube defects.
