Folic Acid During Pregnancy
Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010
by healthconscious
http://www.4d-ultrasoundscan.co.uk/
Some women especially those who are pregnant find themselves hard to realize that that there are several simple things that they can do in order to prevent pregnancy complications and fight off the side effects of pregnancy. One of these simple changes is to take vitamin supplements such as folic acid. How does folic acid make you feel good and healthy during pregnancy ?
Folic acid is a B-vitamin also known as folate and could be found in leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans, peas and nuts. This is also found in vitamin supplements and folic acid-fortified foods such as bread and cereals.
The importance of folate to pregnancy is being recognized worldwide by health experts as it helps prevent developmental problems, in particular with the neural tube development. Additionally, it helps prevent congenital heart defects by 20%.
Recommended daily intake is 400 mcg of this vitamin and the maximum is 1000 mcg. There is no risk of over dosage as it is water soluble vitamin and the excess could be removed from the body through the urine. However, recent studies show that there is a link between folic acid over dosage while pregnant and the occurrence of respiratory problems in new born babies. In view of this, the FDA posed this limit of 1000 mcg maximum intake of folate per day.
Folic acid is essential to repair DNA cells and helps in cell division. When it is lacking especially at the time of conception, it can result to problems in the development of the neural tube resulting to brain and the spine complications such as spina bifida and anencephaly. The neural tube development happens two weeks when you get pregnant. Also, folate helps minimize the possibility of miscarriage and anemia during pregnancy.
If you are a woman who is trying to get pregnant, folic acid should be included in your diet. ask your doctor what supplements you can take to have a happy and healthy pregnancy .
Riza C. Belgira is health enthusiast and an advocate of strengthening women's health and well-being through informative health resources and articles.
Visit her web site and explore informative and useful tips on pregnancy, dieting and weight loss at http://www.4d-ultrasoundscan.co.uk/ .
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