Content

Vitamin B9 is a biologically inactive substance, so it is obtained artificially for medical purposes. Fresh vegetables are rich in folic acid, especially spinach, meat and liver, but in some situations this is not enough for normal life. It is taken by ingestion of tablets or the contents of ampoules.

How to drink folic acid

Once in the human body, folic acid is converted to a biologically active form, similar to enzymes. This produces amino acids. It is also necessary to take the drug for:

• normal functioning of blood cells;
• DNA synthesis;
• anemia treatment;
• antimicrobial therapy;
• cancer prevention;
• proper growth of the fetus during pregnancy.

The question of how to take folic acid is of concern to many. The average rate of vitamin intake is 1.5-3 mg per day for an adult per month (the intake is divided into 3 parts) and up to 200 mcg for children, consumed once. You can take the drug in the form of tablets, powders or ampoules. The latter form of release is used as an injection and externally.

Indications for taking B9 are:

• pregnancy;
• treatment of leukopenia and anemia;
• treatment of tropical diarrhea, intestinal tuberculosis, chronic gastroenteritis;
• against hair loss;
• for skin beauty;
• for the effect of weight loss.

Contraindications for the use of the drug:

• a long course of administration - to prevent a decrease in the concentration of vitamin B12;
• kidney disease;
• allergy;
• violation of iron metabolism;
• bronchial asthma.

Of the side effects note:

• bitterness in the mouth, nausea;
• bloating;
• itching, skin rash;
• asthma attacks.

Daily folic acid intake for women

For the normal functioning of all body systems, an adult woman should receive 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, but almost always this amount is obtained from food. When planning a pregnancy, 600 mcg is required daily a couple of months before conception, but you can take this amount only after consulting a doctor. For nursing mothers, the recommended dose of the drug is 500 mcg daily, while an overdose is unlikely.

Daily dose of folic acid for men

B9 is also useful for men to drink. This raises the question of how to take folic acid. In the male body, folic acid affects the quality and quantity of sperm, so you need to drink it before conception to prevent the risk of reducing sperm quality. If the body of the future father does not have enough vitamin, then the child may develop schizophrenia, epilepsy, and even Down syndrome. To prevent this, before conception, a man should take the drug according to the instructions at a dosage of 400 mcg for 100 days.

Adolescent boys need the drug to regulate normal spermatogenesis. If their body lacks B9, then growth retardation, memory impairment, loss of appetite are noticeable. You need to get folic acid from green vegetables, offal, fish, dairy products. To prevent deficiency, it is recommended to take 1 mg per day for a course of 2-5 days according to the instructions.

When doing bodybuilding, the need for a vitamin increases, because its deficiency leads to overeating, lack of muscle gain due to the reduced ability of the body to synthesize new cells. Athletes need a remedy for protein formation, muscle preservation and recovery after heavy loads. The recommended rate is 600 micrograms, which can be increased to 1000 micrograms in some cases.

How to drink folic acid for children

Already inside the mother's womb, the child needs B9, which enters his body through the placenta. After birth and up to 3 years, the vitamin is needed for the active growth and development of most organs and systems. Children under 12 months of age may not be given the drug if the mother is well fed and has a balanced diet. The need for a vitamin has the following dependence on age in mcg:

• up to six months - 25;
• up to a year - 35;
• up to 3 years - 50;
• up to 6 years - 75;
• up to 10 years - 100;
• up to 14 - 200;
• up to 18 - 200.

You need to take the drug in tablets according to the instructions. One dosage contains 1 mg or 1000 mcg of the vitamin, therefore, to measure the daily dose, pediatricians are advised to dissolve the tablet in water and draw the indicated amount with a measuring syringe. Tablets can be avoided if the child eats the required amount of green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, eggs, cod liver or chicken, beef.

How to use folic acid during pregnancy

An important period of pregnancy involves taking vitamin B9, because it takes part in the formation of the neural tube of the unborn child, ensures the normal functioning of the placenta and its health, and reduces the risk of miscarriage. If you do not receive the remedy in the right dosage, the child may develop:

• hydrocephalus;
• delayed brain activity;
• delayed muscle development.

If pregnancy is planned, then you need to take the vitamin in advance, but if it is not planned, then you can drink it immediately, as the woman realized that she was pregnant. In the first trimester, the doctor prescribes a pregnant woman 400 mcg twice a day, the vitamin should be taken at the same time, before meals, with water. In the second trimester, the dose of a pregnant woman is prescribed up to 600 mcg per day, and in the third - up to 800.

Any amount is prescribed by the doctor after a thorough examination. The intake rate of B9 for a pregnant woman can be increased for the following reasons:

• the active substance is quickly excreted from the body;
• ultrasound revealed the risk of developing fetal defects;
• genetic defects in parents;
• diseases of the stomach, intestines, bladder;
• constant vomiting.

FOLIC ACID (acidum folicum) is a water-soluble vitamin of group B (vitamin B9), necessary for the formation of red blood cells, promotes protein metabolism. The body receives it both from food and in a synthetic form (in the form of tablets). It is indispensable in planning pregnancy and breastfeeding for women, useful for anemia, necessary for the formation of red blood cells. The vitamin found in fruits and vegetables is destroyed if these foods are stored at room temperature. Folic acid has the ability not to accumulate in the body, so its reserves must be replenished frequently, because. it is spent at a high rate. Folic acid is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin in the human body.

daily requirement

Folic acid is necessary for normal development in childhood, providing the processes of growth and development, protein metabolism. Premature, weak babies need this acid more. It is also needed in the womb, starting from the 3rd week of fetal development, so women start drinking folic acid even during pregnancy.

It contributes to the normal development of the placenta and brain. It is also useful for low hemoglobin levels. Part of the acid the child teaches with breast and cow's milk and other foods. For a fetus receiving folic acid from the mother, the risk of developing Down syndrome is reduced. For a pregnant woman, the likelihood of miscarriage and severe pathologies in the baby is reduced. For the normal functioning of a person, about 400 micrograms of this vitamin per day is needed. When playing sports, the need increases slightly.

Acid in foods is very poorly absorbed, so children, pregnant and lactating women need to resort to the use of synthetic acid. The diet of children should be monitored especially carefully, adding acid in the form of a powder to the most favorite dishes: porridge, mashed potatoes or cottage cheese. Acid in the form of vitamins is absorbed much better than from food. With dysbacteriosis and a number of other diseases, the acid begins to be absorbed worse, so gastritis, colitis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract must be carefully treated. When taking folic acid, it is necessary to exclude alcohol consumption to a minimum.

What is folic acid for?

Folic acid is necessary for the formation of red blood cells, for the normalization of digestion, in the production of DNA. It is very necessary during pregnancy and lactation, helping the normal development of the baby. It helps to improve mood, increase immunity, improve the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, liver. Synthesizes proteins and nucleic acids, provides a good mood, optimism, cheerfulness. Helps in planning pregnancy and throughout it, helping the proper development of the fetus in the womb. Helps relieve depression after childbirth and give birth to a healthy full-term baby.

Sources of Folic Acid

Folic acid is found in a large number of foods. This is the liver, and caviar, and greens, and cabbage. But basically, 90% of all the acid contained in the listed products is destroyed during heat treatment. Therefore, you need to eat not only liver and meat rich in this vitamin, but also raw vegetables and herbs: cabbage, spinach, green onions, dill, tomatoes, as well as cottage cheese, cheese.

Attention! With prolonged storage of vegetables and fruits at room temperature, a significant part of folic acid is lost. Therefore, it is important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

Foods containing folic acid

Product
spinach leaves
parsley leaves
onion leaves
White cabbage	10-31 (depending on the type)
Lentils
Mineol (hybrid of mandarin and lemon)
Walnut
Corn
Grain bread
Beef, chicken liver

What diseases from a lack of folic acid

With a lack of folic acid, anemia develops. If a pregnant woman does not take enough folic acid, this can lead to severe irreversible consequences for the fetus, such as spinal hernia, insufficient development of the baby's nervous system, growth retardation and fetal development. Also, with a lack of this acid, even rectal cancer can occur. From a lack of folic acid, depression, insomnia develop, the activity of the brain worsens, and insomnia may occur. Eczema and reddening of the skin may occur.

A lack of folic acid leads to a decrease in hemoglobin, and this is fraught with hair loss, exfoliation of nails, decreased appetite, the occurrence of gastric ulcers, inflammation of the peripheral nerves, apathy for everything, and decreased performance. With a lack of folic acid, the skin becomes pale, fainting and difficulty breathing may begin, insomnia, nervous and mental disorders, and weight loss may occur.

How to determine the lack of folic acid

Signs of a lack of folic acid in the body are:

• lethargy, drowsiness;
• depression;
• sense of anxiety;
• distraction;
• improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• anxiety;
• inflammation in the mouth;
• anemia (lack of iron);
• loss of appetite;
• memory impairment;
• inflammation on the lips;
• red tongue.

The listed signs should be a cause for concern and contact a doctor who, when taking the necessary tests, will determine the required dose of folic acid.

How to increase the level of folic acid in the body

To increase the level of folic acid in the body, you need to eat. But often such products do not contain enough acid, so it is necessary to use synthetic folic acid in the form of tablets. This is especially necessary during stressful situations, with high mental stress, exams, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What threatens an overdose

An overdose of this vitamin is extremely rare. An excess dose of the drug can be excreted in the urine without causing any harm to the body. But folic acid poisoning is still possible with the appointment of large doses of the drug, especially during pregnancy. When taking repeatedly high doses of this drug, children are born who are prone to frequent colds, as well as to bronchial asthma. For older people, there is a risk of developing myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease. In childhood, excessive activity, dyspepsia may occur. But for this it is necessary to repeatedly exceed the dose of the drug. Long-term use of an increased dose can lead to the latent development of the disease, it is not so noticeable.

In case of an overdose, there is a metallic taste in the mouth, digestive problems: increased gas formation, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions, insomnia, hallucinations. When taking an increased dosage, the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases.

Prepared by "Person Sport.ru"

Vitamin B9 (folic acid) is a water-soluble element that is destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet rays and high temperatures.

Folic acid is involved in the oxidation and reduction processes of the body. This vitamin is actively involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, has a positive effect on the functioning of the liver and intestines.

• Supports the body's resistance to viral diseases;
• Promotes the formation and normal functioning of blood cells;
• Promotes the proper development of the nervous system in the fetus during the gestation period;
• Prevents termination of pregnancy in the late and early stages;
• Helps women cope with postpartum depression;
• Prevents the formation of precancerous cells (in the presence of a precancerous condition);
• Slows down the onset of menopause and relieves its symptoms;
• Corrects delayed sexual development.

Folic acid is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells, so it is very important to include foods rich in this element in the daily diet for young children and pregnant women.

Sources of Vitamin B9

Folic acid is found in foods of plant and animal origin. Mostly green vegetables and meat are rich in this element. About 90% of vitamin B9 is lost due to the heat treatment of food. Vegetables and meat lose 70 to 90% of folic acid when cooked, 95% when frying food, and 50% when boiling vegetables in their skins.

plant sources

• Vegetables - leafy green vegetables, pumpkin, carrots;
• Fruits - bananas, melon, apricots, oranges, dates;
• Legumes - beans, peas;
• Cereals - oatmeal, barley, bran, buckwheat;
• Mushrooms, yeast, root crops.

Animal sources

• Meat - beef, lamb, pork, chicken;
• Offal - beef liver;
• Fish - tuna, salmon;
• Dairy products - milk, cheese;
• Egg (egg yolk).

Daily Value of Vitamin B9

The daily requirement for folic acid varies depending on the age and lifestyle of a person. This element is needed by the body in small quantities - about 200 mcg per day, but regularly. A lack of vitamin B12 interferes with the absorption of folic acid, and an excess of methionine, which is rich in cheese and meat products, contributes to its rapid consumption.

Daily Value for Children

To ensure normal development and growth, the child's body needs a daily intake of folic acid. An additional dosage is necessary for mobile children, as well as those who like to sunbathe in the sun. Vitamin C is essential for better absorption of vitamin B9.

• 0-6 months - 40 mcg;
• 6-12 months - 60 mcg;
• 1-3 years - 100 mcg;
• 4-6 years - 200 mcg;
• 7-10 years - 200 mcg.

Daily Value for Men

Persons who use alcoholic beverages, diuretic herbs and bactericidal drugs need additional vitamin B9 intake. The daily requirement of men for folic acid is satisfied by taking 200 mcg of the vitamin per day.

Daily Value for Women

Women need a daily intake of vitamin B9 in the body, in the amount of 200 to 400 micrograms, depending on lifestyle. Folic acid can be called a "female" vitamin, since its effect on the body of the fair sex allows you to cope with many ailments and diseases (PMS, toxicosis during pregnancy, prevention of problems during pregnancy, menopause, etc.). Pregnant women need vitamin B9 in the amount of 300 micrograms per day, and lactating women need 260 micrograms.

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Signs of vitamin B9 deficiency

The lack of folic acid in the body is expressed by the following symptoms:

1. "Red" language;
2. Anemia;
3. Apathy, insomnia and fatigue;
4. Indigestion;
5. feeling of anxiety;
6. White hair;
7. Slow growth and development;
8. Labored breathing;
9. offspring defect;
10. Memory impairment.

Vitamin B9 overdose

Long-term use of large doses of folic acid can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency in the blood. Large doses of this compound can cause dyspepsia in childhood, excitability of the central nervous system, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of epithelial renal tissue.

Folic acid is a particularly oxidatively sensitive B vitamin, also known as folacin and vitamin B9. Its main task is to produce red blood cells, maintain an optimal level of amino acids and prevent changes in DNA.

Vitamin deficiency can lead to elevated homocysteine ​​levels, headaches, and a risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. At the same time, an excessive amount can cause nausea, bloating and sleep disturbance.

Folic acid got its name from the Latin word "folium", which means tree leaf.

Biological role

Folic acid takes an active part in the formation of new cells, so when planning and in the early stages of pregnancy, when the uterus begins to grow and the thickness of the placenta is constantly increasing, it is extremely important to maintain the optimal amount of vitamin in the body.

An increased risk of developing a neural tube defect and brain disorders in the fetus occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy. By this time, there are signs of the formation of all organs of the unborn child, including the respiratory and central nervous systems, in the formation of which folic acid is involved.

Daily intake of 400 micrograms (mcg) of the vitamin should begin 2 to 3 months before conception.

In addition to reducing the risk of developing diseases in the unborn child, folic acid consumption helps pregnant women cope with anemia and reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. However, Dr. Ulrika Erickson from the Swedish University of Lund found that a certain proportion of pregnant women are, on the contrary, at risk of developing breast cancer when they consume a synthetic version of the vitamin:

“10% of the women studied inherited a particular enzyme variant that affects the body's use of folic acid. As a result, the use of vitamin pills or dietary supplements led to the development of breast cancer, instead of the opposite effect.

According to the expert, resorting to synthetic versions of folic acid should be done only in special cases: during an attempt to get pregnant or for people suffering from anemia.

In the USA, Canada, South Africa and Australia, according to WHO recommendations, in order to prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age, they have recently begun to enrich corn and wheat flour with folic acid. In the United States and Canada, after the introduction of such norms, the birth of children with a neural tube defect has decreased by a third.

The use of folic acid when planning pregnancy is indicated not only for women, but also for men. After taking dietary supplements in various combinations of zinc and folic acid, sperm production increased significantly, according to a published 2002 study from the Medical Center Nijmegen.

The experiment involved 112 patients, most of whom had problems conceiving a child. The first group received daily zinc in the amount of 66 mg, the second placebo group and the third group received a combination of zinc (66 mg) and folic acid (5 mg).

As a result, the participants of the third group managed to increase sperm fertility up to 74% during the 26 weeks of the experiment. The results of the participants in the other two groups remained at the level of the beginning of the experiment.

Daily intake of folic acid

According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the daily dose of folic acid for women from the moment of trying to get pregnant and up to twelve weeks of pregnancy should be 400 micrograms or 0.4 mg.

Women with a neural tube defect diagnosed in the fetus, as well as women who have previously given birth to children with this pathological disease, should take 5 mg of folic acid daily during the periconceptional period.

Daily requirement of folic acid for other populations:

• Children 1 to 3 years of age: 150 mcg daily;
• Children 4 to 8 years old: 200 mcg daily;
• Children 9 to 13 years old: 300 mcg daily;
• Adolescents 14 to 18 years of age: 400 mcg per day;
• Adult men and women: 400 micrograms per day.

Insufficient folic acid can be associated with poor diet, smoking, chronic and intestinal diseases, alcohol abuse and indigestion.

Too much folic acid

There is an upper limit for the recommended daily intake of folic acid: 800 micrograms.

Having too much vitamin B9 in the body can lead to unpleasant consequences: digestive problems, loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen and stomach, flatulence, bad breath, sleep disturbances, depression, excessive arousal and irritability. More serious symptoms include: mental disorders, pain in the mouth, weakness, impaired attention, fatigue, and even convulsions. An allergic reaction to folic acid can cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, or a skin rash.

Sources of Folic Acid

Large amounts of folic acid are found in beef liver and green leafy vegetables such as asparagus, beets or Brussels sprouts. Pregnant women should consume beef liver in limited quantities. This is due to its vitamin A content, which can cause various birth defects in a child.

Folic acid is also found in egg yolk, beans, lentils, walnuts, codfish, and some fruits. Cooking foods can reduce their vitamin content, so fresh fruit and vegetables are recommended. As part of a healthy eating program, folic acid is found in cereal products and breakfast cereals.

Fruits and vegetables

Most fruits fortified with folic acid are citrus fruits.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, 100 grams of pink grapefruit contains 10 micrograms of folic acid and about 25 micrograms in one glass of freshly squeezed juice. Approximately 8% of the daily value of the vitamin is found in one small orange, while a glass of orange juice contains twice as much folic acid - 75 micrograms.

Lettuce, turnip greens, mustard, broccoli, Chinese and Brussels sprouts are good sources of folic acid. But unlike animal products, the vitamin content of vegetables can be reduced by up to 40% during their preparation. 100 g of fresh Brussels sprouts contains 61 micrograms of folic acid.

Other vegetables and fruits high in folate include asparagus, artichoke, okra, corn, cauliflower, potatoes, and beets. Tomato juice, melon, avocado, and soy milk also contain this important vitamin.

Beans and legumes

All plants of the legume family should be included in the diet of expectant mothers. Beans, chickpeas (chickpeas), sunflower seeds, black beans, and boiled lentils are good sources of folic acid. There are 47 mcg of vitamin B9 in 100 g of cooked beans.

Fortified food

According to World Health Organization research on folic acid and its impact on fetal development, some countries have passed legislation requiring fortification of grains and cereal products. This category includes: pasta, white rice and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. During the intake of fortified foods, no side effects were recorded.

Table of folic acid content in products

Research

Researchers from Newcastle University examined blood samples from 988 pregnant women for the effect of folic acid on the baby's body weight at birth. Conclusion: Women with low levels of vitamin B9 had low birth weight babies during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.

In another study, experts at the Teleton Institute of Pediatrics in Western Australia found a link between folic acid and brain cancer in future babies. Between 2005 and 2011, scientists were able to collect information on 327 children diagnosed with a brain tumor. For completeness of information, children without this disease were included in the study.

As a result, experts concluded that taking folic acid during planning and possibly in the first weeks of pregnancy reduces the risk of developing a brain tumor in an unborn child by about 32%. In addition, most mothers took other vitamins along with folic acid, which could support the effect of healthy fetal development.

Study leader Professor Elizabeth Milne noted the link between the presence of folic acid in the body of pregnant women and the formation of a brain tumor in the fetus: "Folic acid supports healthy DNA formation and is involved in the development of fetal brain cells, which is extremely important for the unborn child."

Answers on questions

Question: Why should folic acid be taken when planning a pregnancy?

Answer: Most birth defects in the fetus occur due to a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body of the expectant mother in the first weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, in order to protect the unborn child from a neural tube defect and other diseases, it is important to start taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily 2-3 months before planning a pregnancy.

Question: My first child was born with a neural tube defect. Should I take specific steps to prepare for my next pregnancy?

Answer: Women whose first pregnancy was abnormal should first contact their doctor. Usually in such cases, a daily intake of folic acid is prescribed a month before pregnancy planning in the amount of 4.0 mg. It is no longer worth taking because of the risk of developing other fetal diseases.

Question A: I can't swallow large pills. How else can I take vitamins with folic acid?

Answer: Today, folic acid multivitamins can be chewy and liquid, round or oval, chocolate or fruit flavored. In addition, folic acid-fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, can be taken instead of the vitamin.

Question: How to force yourself to take vitamins with folic acid every day?

Answer: Take vitamins daily at the same time. For example, after brushing your teeth or with breakfast. Set an alarm on your phone as a reminder, or if you already have kids, take vitamins with them.

Question: What other health benefits does folic acid have?

Answer: Folic acid helps prevent some other birth defects such as cleft palate and certain types of heart disease. In addition, folic acid fights other diseases, but the effect of the vitamin on them is not fully understood. In any case, adult men and women should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.

Question: Can I take more folic acid?

Answer: If your doctor does not prohibit, then you can.

Question: What is "synthetic" folic acid?

Answer: Synthetic folic acid is a man-made form of folic acid found in most multivitamins and food supplements. Typically, such a product is labeled "fortified." The words "folic acid" and "synthetic folic acid" mean the same thing.

Most often, folic acid deficiency is due to three reasons:

• Insufficient intake from food. It should be borne in mind that up to 90% of the folic acid contained in raw food is destroyed during heat treatment, but nevertheless, it is not difficult to ensure a sufficient amount of folic acid from food. In addition to the leaves of garden greens, it is also found in liver, meat, cheese, caviar, egg yolk, legumes, tomatoes, sunflower seeds,
• Increased need. The need for this substance increases when rapid growth and tissue renewal prevails: during a period of rapid growth in young children and adolescents, with severe oncological diseases, anemia, skin diseases, etc. The need for folic acid in pregnant women increases with the growth of the fetus. During breastfeeding, the need for this vitamin is also increased, as well as the need for other vitamins.
• Violation of the absorption of folic acid in the intestine. Diseases of the stomach and small intestine can lead to deficiency due to insufficient absorption, while with a normal composition of the intestinal microflora, the body can synthesize folic acid on its own.

Folic acid contained in medicinal preparations is absorbed much better than its natural counterpart.

Mechanism of action of folic acid

As you know, in order for any living cell to enter into the process of division, its genetic material, enclosed in a DNA helix, must double. It is in the process of DNA doubling that folic acid takes an active part. In addition, it is involved in the synthesis of RNA (ribonucleic acid), amino acids, and contributes to better absorption of iron.

Accordingly, the deficiency of this factor is especially dangerous for actively proliferating cells. Folic acid is necessary for the growth and development of all organs and tissues, the normal development of the embryo, and hematopoiesis processes. In the early stages of pregnancy, this is especially important, because already in the 2nd week from conception in the embryo, you can determine the part from which the brain begins to develop. It was during this period, despite the fact that the woman is still unaware of her pregnancy, even a short-term deficiency of folic acid is fraught with the development of defects in the development of the nervous system in the fetus.

In addition to participating in the creation of fetal cells, this vitamin is used to replace the cells of the body of a pregnant woman, as human cells are constantly updated. Folic acid is involved in the formation of all blood cells. In addition, it provides a good mood, participating in the exchange of biologically active substances serotonin and adrenaline, which largely affect the state of the nervous system, stimulates appetite at the sight of food, participating in the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach,

During pregnancy, folic acid deficiency leads to the formation of neural tube defects: the absence of the brain, hydrocephalus (hydrocephalus), the formation of cerebral hernias, spina bifida, in addition, the formation of malformations of the cardiovascular system and splitting of the lip and palate (cleft lip and cleft palate). With a lack of this vitamin, the formation of the placenta is disrupted, the likelihood of miscarriage, partial placental abruption, stillbirth, and fetal growth retardation increases. Studies have shown that about 75% of these defects can be prevented if a woman starts taking folic acid supplements before pregnancy.

It is important to continue the use of folic acid during breastfeeding, when the need for it even exceeds the need for a pregnant woman. Folic acid deficiency has a significant impact on the formation of postpartum depression, apathy, weakness, and causes a decrease in the amount of milk. In addition, a deficiency of this vitamin in a nursing mother leads to its low content in breast milk and, as a result, to its deficiency in a child. In children with folic acid deficiency, in addition to anemia, there is a lag in weight, a delay in psychomotor development, a decrease in immunity, and disruption of the intestines.

Dosage of folic acid during pregnancy

The minimum daily requirement for folic acid in the normal state is 50 mcg, but with increasing needs, for example during pregnancy, it can increase several times. In Russia, it is believed that the need for folic acid in pregnant women without signs of deficiency of this vitamin is 400 mcg per day. In nursing mothers, this need is 600 mcg per day. Considering that folic acid deficiency is especially dangerous in the first weeks of pregnancy, this vitamin is recommended to be taken in the process of preparing for pregnancy (at least three months), as well as during the entire period of bearing a baby. The standard folic acid tablet contains 1 mg, the folic acid content of multivitamins ranges from 300 micrograms to 1 mg. Thus, taking one tablet of folic acid per day or a multivitamin containing, among others, this vitamin covers the daily requirement for it by 100-200%. Taking such doses of folic acid is safe.

In women with a therapeutic purpose, the dose can be increased to 5 mg per day. The course of treatment is 20-30 days. High doses of folic acid in the period of preparation for pregnancy and in the first third of it are also prescribed to women who have already had cases of the birth of children with folate-dependent malformations.

Safety of Folic Acid

Folic acid is not toxic to humans. There are studies on the long-term use of 15 mg of folic acid per day (exceeding the daily dosage by 40 times), which did not reveal any toxic effects of this drug. However, long-term use (over 3 months) of high doses of folic acid can help reduce blood levels of vitamin B 12, which can lead to anemia. Large doses of folic acid sometimes cause gastrointestinal disorders, increased nervous excitability, and functional changes in the kidneys.

Contraindications to the use of folic acid are cases of an individual allergic reaction to the drug.

It is important to take folic acid regularly. However, given that any folic acid preparation covers the daily requirement for it, you should not worry if you missed the next dose. Just take the drug when you remember it.

Many medications can affect the absorption, utilization, and storage of folic acid in the body. Folic acid is best taken together with vitamins B 12 and C. Additional intake of bifidobacteria increases the synthesis of folic acid in the large intestine.

On the contrary, when taking alcohol, antacids (drugs that neutralize hydrochloric acid, - ALMAGEL, MAALOX etc.), sulfonamides, antiepileptic drugs, the absorption of folic acid in the intestine is significantly reduced. Reception ASPIRINA in high doses, nitrofuran drugs (prescribed for urinary tract infections), oral contraceptives, corticosteroid hormones reduces the concentration of folic acid in the blood.

Verified: no risk!

In the United States, there is a law requiring manufacturers to add fairly high doses of folic acid to flour in order to prevent a deficiency of this vitamin in the population. In addition, in the United States, the prophylactic dosage of folic acid is 2 times higher than in Russia. No negative effects on the genotype of folic acid doses used in Russia have been identified.