Importances of Folic Acid for Pregnancy
Monday, December 6th, 2010
Pregnant women or women who are trying to conceive are advised to consume folic acid in sufficient quantities. Why is folic acid so important for pregnant women?
Quoted from babycenter, there is good reasons for pregnant women and women who are trying to become pregnant to take folic acid.
Importance of Folic Acid
1. Folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects (neural tube defects / NTDs), such as defects in the spinal cord (eg spina bifida) and brain (anencephaly).
These defects occur at very early stages of fetal development, even before Much of women realize that she was pregnant. By taking folic acid one month before pregnancy and during the first trimester can reduce the risk of defects by 50-70 percent.
Some research shows folic acid may also help reduce the risk of infant defects, such as cleft lip, cleft defects in the ceiling and some types of heart defects.
2. The body needs Folic to help make red blood cells are normal, so as to prevent anemia.
3. Folic is essential for process improvement, production and function of DNA. So getting enough folic acid is essential for cell growth of the placenta and the development of the baby.
4. Some studies show folic acid can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, which is a complex disorder that can affect the health of pregnant mothers and their babies.
Where folic acid obtained in addition to drugs?
Some foods naturally rich in folic acid such as peas, lentils, dark green vegetables (eg broccoli, spinach, asparagus) and fruits and orange juice.
But sometimes this natural folic acid can be lost during storage or damaged when cooked, hence needed, such as folic acid intake from supplements or milk.
But pregnant women should be careful in reading labels, it is important to know whether Folic acid intake is sufficient, or not excessive. Because if too much folic acid can also lead to hidden conditions such as pernicious anemia.
For that every pregnant woman attempted to get an adequate intake of folic acid, because the signs of folic acid deficiency are very subtle and invisible even if only slightly. Unless a significant number of shortcomings, may experience diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, sore tongue, heart palpitations and irritable.
Another thing to note by pregnant women is always birth control regularly, so that development and growth of the fetus can be monitored well.