Pregnant women and those trying to become pregnant are often told to get plenty of folic acid into their daily diet. Although it's common advice, few women understand how and why folic acid aids the fetus during development, what it does in the body, and how to get it into their diet (in addition to a daily prenatal vitamin). This all-important vitamin can aid both mother and baby during development, and deserves all the attention it receives.
What Is Folic Acid?
One of the B vitamins, folic acid (or folate) is found in leafy green vegetables, oranges, and whole grains. Inside the human body, folic acid is used to make red blood cells and help to prevent anemia by aiding iron absorption. It helps to produce and repair DNA, which leads to rapid cell growth of the placenta and fetus during pregnancy. Some research has found that taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid will also reduce the mother's chance of preeclampsia during the pregnancy (Baby Center).
In terms of fetal development, folic acid is essential. Studies have shown that adding folic acid daily reduces the chances of neural tube defects by 50 to 70% (Baby Center). Neural tube defects include spina bifida (a defect of the spinal cord) and anencephaly (development problems with the brain).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 400 mg daily up to one month before a woman becomes pregnant and then throughout the pregnancy. Many suggest that "all women of childbearing age" get enough folic acid, since only about half of pregnancies are planned (Kids' Health).
Where to Get Folic Acid
Doctors agree that the best source of folic acid is a prenatal vitamin, since many people do not get enough from their daily diet. Still, adding other sources of the vitamin is particularly a good idea during the first three months of pregnancy. Eating spinach and kale and drinking orange juice is a good place to start, but there are other ways to up the daily intake.
Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration has mandated that folic acid be added to enriched grain products (Kids' Health). Check the ingredients of breakfast cereals, breads, pastas, and rice for the percentage of recommended daily folic acid allowance to be sure which products are best.
It's important to keep eating healthy throughout pregnancy, since a prenatal vitamin is meant as a supplement and not a replacement for a healthy diet.
References:
- Baby Center. "Folic acid: An important way to prevent birth defects."
- Kids Health. "Folic acid and Pregnancy."
Stephanie Haddad - Stephanie Haddad is a freelance writer living in the Boston area with her husband, their dog, and their new daughter. She focuses her work ...
