Folic acid is essential for the development of the fetus. The problem is that you have to take it before pregnancy. In Poland, many women give birth to unplanned pregnancies. Therefore, even when a woman is not planning a pregnancy but has sex, she should reach for folic acid. Why is folic acid important before and during pregnancy?
Folic acidshould be taken by every woman who mayget pregnantand want to give birth to a he althy child. Supplementation with folic acid is also recommended by specialists to all womenpregnantuntil the end of the 12th week.
What do we know about folic acid
As the body does not synthesize folic acid itself, it must be supplied with food. Folates (the natural form of folic acid) are found in a variety of foods, both of plant and animal origin. Green leafy vegetables (Brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, lettuce), whole grains, legumes (beans, green peas), asparagus, broccoli, bananas and orange juice are particularly rich sources. The liver also contains a large amount of folic acid (however, it should not be consumed during pregnancy). Nevertheless, our diet contains too little folate, in addition, they are very sensitive to sunlight and high temperatures - cooking, baking (losses range from 50 to 90% of the initial content of this vitamin), and their digestibility from food reaches only 50%. Hence, it is necessary to supplement the diet with folic acid of synthetic origin.
Products containing folic acid
What are the consequences of a folate deficiency?
Pregnant women are particularly sensitive to insufficient supply of folic acid. Since it is necessary for cell growth and reproduction, its deficiency may affect the formation of central nervous system defects and the underdevelopment of the placenta. It can also cause spontaneous miscarriage and reduce the birth weight of newborns.
Congenital neural tube defects
Congenital neural tube defects occur too often in Poland - we are among the infamous European leaders - there are 1-2 cases per 1000 babies born. Children with a neural tube defect are born to he althy parents (in 90% of cases), in families where a child with such a defect has never beforeIt was not born. The neural tube is the nucleus of the human nervous system. It has the form of a tube, hence its name. It is formed in the very early stage of embryo development (in the 2nd-4th week of pregnancy), then closes and later transforms into the spinal cord and the brain. When there are disturbances during the closing process - problems arise that stop the development of the brain and spinal cord as a result of further contact of these organs with the amniotic fluid. The most common consequences of this condition are anencephaly, spina bifida, and a cerebral hernia.
Folic acid will avoid the disadvantages
The best prevention is taking folic acid, the deficiency of which leads to neural tube defects. This has been confirmed by studies - daily intake of low doses of folic acid (0.4 mg / day) by women significantly reduces the risk of folic acid occurrence in the offspring. It is extremely important that a woman, before becoming pregnant, regularly supplies the body with an adequate amount of acid. Even when she is not planning a baby in the near future. Over half of pregnancies in Poland are unplanned, accidental. That is why it is so important for women to take prophylactic preparations with folic acid as soon as they begin sexual intercourse. A woman usually finds out about her pregnancy in 4-6 weeks. week of its duration, and then it may be too late (a defect could have occurred).
Prevention programs
In many countries, including Poland, special preventive programs are implemented. Already in 1997, a team of experts appointed by the Minister of He alth and Social Welfare issued the first recommendations, incl. that "all women of reproductive age in Poland who may become pregnant should consume 0.4 mg of folic acid daily in order to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects in their offspring."
See which vegetables contain the most folic acid!
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