Benefits of folic acid before pregnancy
The mother should start taking folic acid before pregnancy. Even when not trying to conceive, Where folic acid helps reduce the risk of giving birth to a child with birth defects known as neural tube defects, and it can also help reduce the risk of other types of birth defects, and reduce the risk of miscarriage.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2018 indicated that taking folic acid along with vitamin supplements before and during pregnancy helped reduce the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder in the fetus. However, it is worth noting the need to consult a doctor before using supplements. Including vitamins, herbs, and other nutritional supplements.
General benefits of folic acid
Folate is known as one of the forms of vitamin B9 that the body needs to maintain red and white blood cells, convert carbohydrates into energy within the body, in addition to its importance in the manufacture and repair of DNA and other genetic materials, and cell division.
For more information about the benefits of folic acid, you can read the article What is folic acid?
Folic acid damage
Safety of folic acid
Folic acid consumption Mostly safe In most people, as adults do not suffer from any side effects when taking a dose of less than one milligram per day; except if Potentially insecure Take it by mouth in large doses and for a long period of time, although doses of up to 5 milligrams per day have been used safely in some research.
However, it should be noted that doses of folic acid that exceed one milligram per day may cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, skin rashes, irritability, confusion, nausea, stomach disorders, behavioral changes, skin reactions, in addition to seizures. And gases, and other symptoms, and eating large amounts of folic acid for a long period of time can lead to the emergence of serious symptoms.
Contraindications for the use of folic acid
Caution should be taken when using folic acid in the form of food supplements in the following cases:
- Who will perform operations to widen narrowed arteries: Or what is known as angioplasty (in English: Angioplasty), the use of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 intravenously or orally may exacerbate the problem of narrowed arteries, and therefore it is advised to avoid the use of folic acid supplements by people who are recovering from this procedure .
- Those with a history of cancer: Research has shown that taking a dose ranging from 800 micrograms to one milligram on a daily basis may lead to an increased risk of cancer, and therefore people with a history of cancer are advised to avoid consuming high doses of folic acid, but more research is still needed to confirm this. .
- Heart patients: Some research indicates that taking folic acid along with vitamin B6 can increase the risk of heart attack in people with a history of heart disease.
- People who live in areas where malaria is common: Research has shown that taking folic acid with iron can increase the risk of death or the need for hospitalization in parts of the world where malaria is common.
- Patients with anemia resulting from vitamin B12 deficiency: Taking folic acid may mask anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Which delays the appropriate treatment.
- People with seizures: Taking high doses of folic acid supplements might worsen seizures in people with seizure disorders.
Drug interactions with folic acid
Folic acid supplements may interact with some medications. Of which we mention the following:
- Capecitabine medicines.
- Fosphenytoin drugs used to treat seizures.
- Methotrexate drugs.
- Phenobarbital medicines used to treat seizures.
- Phenytoin drugs.
- Primidone medicines.
- Pyrimethamine medications used to treat fungal infections.
Recommended doses of folic acid before pregnancy
All women of childbearing age should get up to 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. This is to help reduce the risk of some birth defects. It should also be noted that daily doses of folic acid higher than 400 micrograms are not necessarily better for reducing the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus. Unless the doctor orders higher doses due to other health conditions.
Food sources of folic acid
Here are some food sources of folic acid:
- Lentils: One cup, or 198 grams, of cooked lentils contains about 358 micrograms of folate.
- eggs: One large egg contains about 22 micrograms of folate.
- beetroot: One cup, or 136 grams, of raw beetroot contains about 148 micrograms of folate.
- orange: One large orange contains about 55 micrograms of folate.
- wheat germ: 28 grams of wheat germ contains about 78.7 micrograms of folate.
- Papaya: One cup, or 140 grams, of raw papaya contains about 53 micrograms of folate.
- the banana: One medium-sized banana contains about 23.6 micrograms of folate.
- Asparagus: One cup of cooked asparagus contains about 268 micrograms of folate.
- Spinach: One cup of cooked spinach contains about 263 micrograms of folate.
- Green soybeans: 100 grams of green soybeans, or what is known as edamame, contain about 311 micrograms of folate.
- broccoli: One cup of cooked broccoli contains about 168 micrograms of folate.
- Avocado: One avocado contains about 163 micrograms of folate.
- manga: One cup of mango contains about 71 micrograms of folate.
- Lettuce: One cup of lettuce contains about 64 micrograms of folate.
- sweet corn: One cup of cooked sweet corn contains about 61 micrograms of folate.
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