Are all pregnant women prescribed folic acid? Folic acid: rules for taking, dosage, risks of developing cancer. Useful information about vitamin B9
Future mothers begin to take care of their baby even before his birth. Proper, fresh air, giving up bad habits - everything is aimed at ensuring that he appears on time and is healthy. A prerequisite this is the intake of folic acid during pregnancy.
A must-have nutritional package for everyone would be incomplete without folic acid or vitamin B9. Women were convinced that it provides beauty and health to hair, skin, nails. Many products contain derivatives of this substance - folates. But during pregnancy there are too few of them. Therefore, folic acid preparations are useful for all expectant mothers.
Artificial vitamin B9 takes an important part in the creation of blood cells. In the body, it is also absorbed with the formation of folate. Its deficiency means the occurrence of anemia, in which there is a lack of red blood cells, or they do not function. And this is a reason not only for feeling unwell, but also serious problems with other body systems, which will experience oxygen starvation, and many metabolic processes are disturbed.
Another important role of folates is to stimulate the formation of DNA and RNA, which are present in all cells of the body, being their main component. That is, their normal division and tissue renewal without vitamin B9 are excluded. Therefore, its importance during pregnancy, especially at its early stage, can hardly be overestimated.
Why folic acid for pregnant women
folic acid on early dates pregnancy is involved in many processes. It plays the most important role in the formation of the embryo and the tissues that ensure its viability, therefore, at this stage, a lot of substances are consumed for:
- Bookmarks and development nervous system baby
- Growth of vessels of the placenta;
- Formation of bone and connective tissues;
- Sufficient mental development of the child;
- Restoration of muscle tissue in the mother's body and blocking their degeneration into cancer;
- Normal pregnancy.
The most significant amount of folic acid is required in the construction of the fetal nervous system. Cell division occurs with doubling of DNA chains in the nucleus of each. For it to be complete, anyone must receive a complete human genome. And this is only able to provide folic acid. Such a division continuously occurs not only in the nervous, but in all systems of the fetus. The number of cells in the early period increases weekly. It is possible to ensure the quality of the process only with sufficient blood supply to the embryo and surrounding tissues.
If she's missing
Any failure caused by a lack of folic acid responds with irreparable defects in the baby, the most likely of which are:
- Defects of the brain, in particular, the absence of some of its lobes. This forces the woman to terminate the pregnancy, because such a newborn would not be viable. A defect in the bones of the skull is also possible, in which the membrane of the brain or its section extend beyond their limits;
- Anomalies in the formation of the spine, when many of its components are simply not there. The spinal cord remains fully or partially open. The viability of the newborn depends on the degree of the defect. Most of babies die, others remain disabled, have problems with the urinary system and independent movement when growing up;
- Uncompensated intellectual and mental underdevelopment. And the reason for this is oxygen starvation of the brain due to a lack of folic acid at the initial stage of fetal development. Due to its involvement in cell division, it takes part in the formation of the placenta that provides it with food.
A lack of vitamin B9 in a woman makes it more possible for premature birth and early termination, the death of the fetus in the womb due to oxygen deficiency. So the answer to the question of whether folic acid can be ignored in early pregnancy is obvious. There is no substitute for this substance. And most importantly, not all fetal defects that occur due to vitamin B9 deficiency can be tracked at an early stage of its development.
In a pregnant woman at the initial stage of the situation, a lack of folic acid provokes:
- A noticeable decrease in immunity, which is fraught with viral diseases, problems with the skin and mucous membranes;
- Increased toxicosis;
- Depression or increased anxiety.
What leads to deficiency
Seriously, the volume of folic acid can be affected by the diet of a woman and her inherent bad habits. The absence or small amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet, excess sugar, do not contribute to the filling of cells with it. In heat-treated foods, vitamin B9 is practically absent, as it does not tolerate high temperatures and is destroyed.
The medicines used by the woman that interfere with her absorption contribute their share:
- Antibiotics. The drugs, together with the pathogenic flora, destroy beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which prevents the absorption of beneficial elements, including vitamin B9. Sulfonamides do not allow the intestinal mucosa to synthesize folic acid, which is normal for the body;
- Hormonal drugs, including contraceptives, lower its concentration;
- Antiepileptic drugs, since most of them are potentially toxic.
There are also genetic features that are quite rare, but interfere with the formation of folates. We are talking about the absence in the body of enzymes required for this, which provokes heart problems, the development of tumors and miscarriage. Then taking folic acid supplements will not help either. in large numbers. But even in this almost unique case, the situation is not hopeless, because there are agents that can replenish the amount of folate in the tissues.
How to make up for a vitamin deficiency
It is advisable to find out how much folic acid is needed during pregnancy in the early stages even before conception. Then the woman will have the opportunity to prepare for everything that awaits her, that is, include in the diet:
- Spinach, other fresh herbs;
- Carrots, beets;
- Rye bread;
- Nutritional yeast;
- Eggs;
- Cottage cheese, cheeses;
- Green vegetables;
- beef liver;
- Citrus.
And do not use in large quantities, which reduce the concentration of B9 in body tissues. Another enemy is smoking. Largely due to the effect on folic acid volume, experts urge not to become pregnant immediately after stopping use. birth control pills and antibiotics. This will be a good prevention of a deficiency of a substance, will restore its synthesis by the intestines. This preparation will take at least 3 months. But even with adequate nutrition of the amount of folic acid received with it, with early pregnancy not enough. It is necessary to continue the use of products containing it, supplement them with appropriate drugs. And do this immediately after the establishment of pregnancy, since the nervous system of the embryo is formed very early.
Folic acid preparations and how to take them
The use of synthesized vitamin B9 is mandatory due to the 50% increase in the need of the pregnant woman's body for it. With all the desire to get an adequate amount from food, it will not work.
How to drink folic acid in the early stages is largely determined by the presence of diseases in the expectant mother. Serious neurological ailments and elevated blood sugar dictate the need to increase the daily amount to 1 mg and 4 mg, respectively. Diseases of the liver and urinary system in the mother are forced to reduce the volume of the vitamin and monitor the condition of the woman by specialists. In such circumstances, exceeding a safe amount of a substance can cause the same negative effect as deficiency.
The dosage of folic acid in early pregnancy in healthy women is usually 400-800 micrograms per day. This does not include the amount that the expectant mother should receive with food. There are several pharmaceuticals that are used to replenish the supply of a substance:
- Valens;
- Blagomin B9;
- Solgar;
- Naches Bounty.
There are also many preparations of domestic and Belarusian manufacturers, produced under the general name Folic acid. The difference between them is only in the amount of substance in each tablet. It has already been mentioned how important the dosage of folic acid is in the early stages under various circumstances, so it is very important to monitor this in the diseases mentioned.
If a woman has a genetic indigestibility of vitamin B9, drugs are prescribed that contain its derivatives, in particular metafolin. This is a well-known drug Fembion, manufactured in capsules and tablets. With the above features of the body, the dose of folic acid in the early stages of pregnancy cannot exceed one piece per day in morning reception food. There are 400 micrograms of folate per tablet and there are other B vitamins.
Who needs loading doses of folic acid
In addition to the already mentioned problems with blood glucose, neurological ailments, an increased dose of vitamin B9 is required by the body of those expectant mothers who previously had:
- miscarriages;
- premature birth;
- Not the only one;
- Children with previously described malformations.
All of the above are signs of a persistent deficiency of a substance in the body. With it, folic acid during early pregnancy needs significantly more than other women. You can detect a deficiency using a blood test (the norm of the substance is 3-17 ng / ml). Then it will become clear that you should start replenishing vitamin B9 at least 12 weeks before the expected pregnancy. Women with this history are prescribed:
- Folacin, which has an increased volume of the substance. There is a packaging in which 1 tablet contains 5 mg of folic acid. Taking Folacin significantly reduces the risk of abortion and premature resolution from it;
- Folio. In addition to vitamin B9, the drug contains iodine, which is no less important for a pregnant woman with a deficiency of nutrients.
Can folic acid harm?
The likely risk of folic acid overdose in early pregnancy has been studied many times, but in each case the results are controversial. It was believed, and some experts continue to be confident, that the regular excess of the accepted amount entails risks diabetes and obesity for the newborn, as well as the likelihood of developing allergic and asthmatic manifestations in him.
Currently, it is indisputable only that folic acid is soluble in water, therefore, excreted in the urine. Therefore, women who have problems in this area should be especially attentive to the dosage of vitamin preparations.
Some also need to drink other medicines at the initial stage of pregnancy and later. Therefore, the amount of funds with folic acid in specific circumstances is selected by a specialist, and may exceed the average values even in the absence of its deficiency. But those who are prescribed vitamin B9 in prophylactic doses should not increase them arbitrarily. The body will absorb exactly as much as it needs. The rest, if it does not bring noticeable harm, will turn into money thrown to the wind and will make you feel unpleasant symptoms:
- Taste of metal in the mouth and bitterness;
- Increased irritability, insomnia;
- Strengthening the manifestations of toxicosis;
- Skin rashes;
- Difficulty breathing due to bronchospasm.
Carrying a child is hard and responsible work. He has not yet been born, and so much is already needed: micro and macro elements, minerals, a lot of organic acids. Folic during early pregnancy can generally decide his fate. But in fact, taking vitamins and managing your health are not such big sacrifices for the opportunity to have a healthy baby.
Before using any drugs, you should consult a specialist doctor. There are contraindications.
The article discusses folic acid during pregnancy. We tell you why it is needed, when and how to take the remedy, the recommended dosage. You will find out the reviews of pregnant women about the use of folic acid, whether it is possible to drink it in the early stages, what contraindications exist and how an overdose of tablets manifests itself.
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is one of the most important vitamins for the human body. It is involved in metabolic processes and the formation of red blood cells, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and has a beneficial effect on the nervous, cardiovascular and immune systems.
Appearance (photo) of folic acid
According to statistics, from 20 to 100 percent of the world's population are deficient in vitamin B9, it is especially common in children and pregnant women. The lack of this substance can be asymptomatic. But over time, it manifests itself in the following signs:
- loss of appetite;
- irritability;
- fast fatiguability;
- diarrhea;
- vomit;
- tendency to thrombosis;
- depression;
- decreased immunity;
- memory impairment;
- fainting;
- dysfunction of the central nervous system;
- the formation of ulcers in the oral cavity;
- hair loss.
Severe folic acid deficiency leads to the development of megaloblastic anemia, which in some cases is fatal.
Causes of Vitamin B9 Deficiency
The main reasons for the lack of folk in the body are:
- insufficient intake of the vitamin in the body along with food;
- chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines, which lead to problems with the absorption of the vitamin;
- genetic disorders due to which the body lacks enzymes that affect the conversion and absorption of folates;
- the use of alcoholic beverages.
Why do pregnant women need folic acid?
Vitamin B9 is necessary for every expectant mother. This is the only substance whose importance and usefulness is not denied even by the most ardent opponents of artificial vitamins.
All the processes that take place with the participation of folic acid in the formation of the fetus, the laying of its organs, mental and physical health, occur in the early stages of pregnancy, when a woman does not yet know about her pregnancy. interesting position. On the 16th day after conception, the neural tube begins to form. This process is especially important, and vitamin B9 plays a huge role in it, so it should be enough in a woman's body. It is recommended to take it during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. But it's best to take.
In the event that you found out about your interesting position a little later, do not despair. The neural tube undergoes various changes during the entire first trimester, so the drug is at the recommended dose.
Lack of vitamin B9 during pregnancy is accompanied by:
- the appearance of gestosis;
- spontaneous abortions;
- premature detachment of the placenta;
- intrauterine fetal death;
- miscarriage.
A useful vitamin can be found not only in pharmaceutical preparations, but also in food products, which we will discuss below.
Folic acid in food
Folic Acid Products
Vitamin B9 is found in the following foods:
- wholemeal flour;
- spinach;
- parsley;
- salad;
- Brussels sprouts;
- asparagus;
- broccoli;
- green pea;
- citrus;
- carrot;
- yeast;
- bananas;
- cottage cheese;
- liver;
- eggs;
- melon;
- pumpkin;
- beans;
- fish;
- meat.
If you are not deficient in folic acid, then in your case it is enough to take a multivitamin for pregnant women prescribed by a gynecologist. In all other cases, try to eat more of the foods that we talked about above - this will help to avoid a lack of vitamin B9.
How to take folic acid during pregnancy
Vitamin B9 is produced in tablets in pure form, in combination with vitamin C or with cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12). In preparations, the dosage is 400-1000 mcg.
Popular products with folic acid in the composition:
- Foliber;
- Mamifol;
- Askofol.
Various vitamin complexes and biological supplements containing this vitamin are also produced. The tablets should be taken with or without food, with plenty of water and without chewing.
When to start drinking
Taking folic acid at the planning stage and early pregnancy helps to avoid various complications during childbearing.
WHO recommends taking iron and vitamin B9 supplements for all pregnant women. Depending on the characteristics of the body and the presence of certain ailments, the gynecologist determines the required dosage of folic acid. According to studies, taking vitamin B9 in the first trimester reduces the risk of developing CNS malformations in the fetus by 70 percent.
How long to take the drug
Many pregnant women are concerned about how much to drink folic acid. Experts recommend taking folic acid without fail from the moment of conception and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. At the end of this period, the vitamin can be stopped if there is no deficiency, and also provided that the expectant mother does not want to continue taking it in the second and third trimester.
The norm of vitamin B9 differs at the stage of planning and pregnancy
Dosage
According to the instructions for use, the scheme for taking folic acid looks like this:
- when planning pregnancy, the recommended daily dosage is 400 mg of the drug;
- the daily intake of vitamin B9 in the first trimester is 600-800 mcg;
- from 13 weeks until the very birth, you should drink 800 mcg of folic acid per day;
- when breastfeeding, the norm of the drug is 400-600 mcg.
In some cases, the dose of folic acid may be doubled. Namely:
- if the expectant mother has diabetes mellitus and epilepsy, the dosage of vitamin B9 is increased to 1000 mcg (1 mg);
- if a pregnant woman has a history of spontaneous miscarriages with malformations or children were born with mental retardation, neuropsychiatric disorders, then in this case the daily dosage of the drug is increased to 4000 mcg (4 mg).
In all other cases, the exact dosage will be called by a specialist.
The benefits of vitamin B9 for a child
Each human body in the normal state of the intestinal microflora is able to produce a certain amount of vitamin B9. But this volume is not able to cover the needs for folic acid, so it is important to additionally take vitamin complexes or products containing folk.
Vitamins B9 and B12 are needed for cell division, which is especially important for tissues that are actively dividing (during the formation and growth of the embryo). Vitamin B9 is important in hematopoiesis, important for the formation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), which are involved in the transmission of hereditary traits.
Folk plays an important role in the formation of the neural tube of the fetus. Lack of vitamin B9 leads to the development of serious malformations in the fetus:
- hydrocephalus;
- anencephaly;
- delayed physical and mental development;
- congenital deformities;
- cerebral hernia;
- stillbirth;
- spinal disorders;
- termination of pregnancy before the due date.
Therefore, it is important to take folic acid both at the planning stage of conception and during childbearing in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Contraindications
You should refrain from taking folk in the following cases:
- individual intolerance;
- bronchial asthma;
- lack of vitamin B12;
- family history of oncology;
- chronic pyelonephritis;
- pernicious anemia.
An excess of vitamin B9 is manifested by the following symptoms:
- bitterness and metallic taste in the mouth;
- sleep problems;
- irritability and marked excitability;
- loss of appetite;
- nausea and vomiting;
- stomach upset;
- bloating;
- lack of vitamin B12 and zinc in blood tests;
- malfunction of the kidneys.
The likelihood of an overdose of folic acid during pregnancy is quite small, since it is a water-soluble component and is absorbed by the body only in the required amount. Its excess is partially deposited by the liver, the rest of the excess is excreted from the body through the kidneys.
Usually, an overdose of the drug with its toxic effect on the body of a woman and fetus is possible in the case of a daily intake of vitamin B9 over 15 mg (25-30 tablets), as well as in the presence of severe renal and hepatic disorders.
Important: In Norway, it was held Scientific research, in which scientists found that women with an increased level of vitamin B9 in the blood were 1.5 times more likely to have children with a tendency to asthmatic ailments. At the same time, scientists did not name the exact dosage at which an excess of folk occurs in the body.
As a rule, after taking folk side effects are not observed.
Useful information about vitamin B9
Below we will share some secrets regarding folic acid:
- Removal of folk from the body during pregnancy is accelerated.
- Strong tea promotes the rapid removal of substances from the body.
- As with any medication, an allergy can occur to folic acid.
- Lack of vitamin B9 is transmitted from mother to fetus or newborn as a result of insufficient folic acid during pregnancy in the body of the expectant mother or a lack of vitamin B9 in breast milk.
- Folka is found most in raw or steamed vegetables.
- The need for a useful component is increased by some drugs: antacids (Almagel), estrogens, anticonvulsants (Phenytoin) and zinc preparations.
- Vitamin B9 is used to “repair” and replace approximately 70 trillion mother cells due to their constant renewal.
Folic acid is good to drink throughout pregnancy
Price
The cost of preparations containing folic acid is low. average price ranges from 30 to 150 rubles per pack. Also in the pharmacy you can find products with vitamin B9, the cost of which exceeds 600 rubles, for example, Solgar "Folic Acid". The price of such a drug is 642 rubles for 100 tablets and 1400 rubles for 250 tablets.
For women planning a child, or already in a position, doctors prescribe vitamin B9 (folate, folacin) to drink. What is it, what does it give, what does it look like in the photo and why is it useful to take folic acid during pregnancy?
Folacin is a water-soluble vitamin that is actively involved in the fundamental processes of the body. It is synthesized by bacteria that live in the intestines in small quantities. Therefore, the basic need can only be satisfied from the outside.
Prescribe acid with a shortage in the body. With a deficiency, the processes of hematopoiesis, the formation of leukocytes, platelets, erythrocytes, and the absorption of iron are disturbed. The substance is involved in the synthesis of amino acids RNA and DNA, helps the egg to mature, supports optimal level homocysteine, responsible for heart health.
At the beginning of gestation, acid is prescribed to prevent the development of defects in the fetal nervous system; in the later stages, it helps the expectant mother to normalize the functioning of the body. Such is the valuable effect of this vitamin.
The benefits and harms of folic acid during pregnancy
If prescribed, then it is not enough
At the beginning of gestation, an intensive division of the neural tube of the embryo occurs, and the spinal cord and brain are formed. A woman may not know that she has conceived, but important processes of the birth of a new life are already taking place in her body.
At the beginning of gestation, acid is especially useful. Its intake prevents a child from spinal fissures, congenital absence of the spinal cord or brain, cerebral hernia.
Lack of vitamin B9 is harmful because:
- increases the likelihood of mental retardation in a child;
- violates the formation of the placenta, provokes detachment, causes spontaneous abortion;
- leads to congenital malformations, fetal deformities, pathologies of the cardiovascular system, the formation of a cleft lip and a cleft palate (cleft palate).
Need to take folacin later dates. A sufficient amount of it prevents the development of postpartum depression, reduces apathy, improves lactation.
Problems can be minimized even when planning pregnancy and during the period of bearing a baby, if you take acid preparations. After all, it is impossible to create its stock, and it is difficult to get it from food.
According to statistics, folate deficiency is observed in 50% of women. Studies have shown that their regular intake during planning and at the beginning of pregnancy reduces the risk of fetal defects by 80%. In large doses, acid is harmful. Therefore, it should be taken according to the doctor's recommendations.
Symptoms of excess and lack of folic acid during pregnancy
B9 deficiency is developing rapidly. The first symptoms appear within a week, and a monthly lack of acid leads to a critical condition:
- pallor of the skin;
- irritability;
- nervousness;
- fatigue;
- low performance;
- impaired memory, attention;
- the appearance on the skin of age spots, acne;
- drastic weight loss.
These signs are nonspecific and may indicate stress or be a variant of the norm during pregnancy. But if you do not make up for the lack of acid, it is fraught with dangerous consequences for the fetus and expectant mother.
You can accurately determine the level of folacin in the body by passing a blood test. Normal values range from 7–45 nmol/l.
Very useful for the child
Instructions for use of folic acid
Vitamin B9 in tablets is the same drug as the rest. Therefore, it should not be taken without a doctor's prescription. The instructions of official manufacturers contain recommended daily and single doses, methods of taking acid, how long to use, how to use it correctly. Therefore, it is a must read for all women.
According to clinical guidelines by order 572n, the daily intake of folacin is 0.4 mg. According to other sources, in order to maintain pregnancy in the first months, it is necessary to take 0.8 mg per day. The doctor decides whether it is a lot or a little.
The medication is started 6 months before the planned conception, and the optimal duration is up to 12 weeks of gestation. In the last trimester, doctors also often advise you to consume acid.
Usually, the entire dose is given at one time. This should be done in the morning a quarter of an hour after breakfast, drinking water. Do not take folacin before meals, as it increases acidity on an empty stomach, causing problems with the gastrointestinal tract. And in pregnant women with toxicosis, it can lead to nausea, vomiting.
Doses higher than prophylactic, the doctor prescribes to pregnant women with an established deficiency of vitamin B9, as well as in the following cases:
- the presence of factors that increase folate intake or accelerate its excretion;
- high risk of anomalies of the nervous system (epilepsy, diabetes mellitus in a pregnant woman);
- the presence of malformations in a family history;
- violation of the stomach, intestines.
Reception strictly according to the prescription
What is the dosage of folic acid for pregnant women
Folacin deficiency is especially critical in the earliest stages, in the first 2 weeks. Therefore, doctors recommend starting taking it at the planning stage. But there is no definite answer for how long you need to drink the drug. Some prescribe it even in the later months of pregnancy.
Doctors insist that a woman drink vitamin B9 in the first trimester. During this period, it has a maximum value, even a small lack of it can adversely affect the fetus.
Many pregnant women are advised not to stop taking all 9 months. This is especially true for women with pathologies or twins. Here, folacin in the second and even last trimester will not hurt.
Prophylactic doses according to the instructions:
- minimum - 400 mcg (0.4 mg) / day;
- maximum - 800 mcg (0.8 mg) / day.
If the deficiency is pronounced, a dosage of 5 mg is needed. Unauthorized use of such an amount of vitamin is contraindicated, as it can be dangerous.
Can be prescribed for prevention
Acid tablets are available in 100, 400, 1000, 5000 mcg. For the prevention of deficiency, capsules containing 400–1000 mcg are prescribed in the amount of 1 piece daily. The dose of 0.5 mg is therapeutic. Often folacin is prescribed with vitamin E. Substances potentiate each other's action during gestation.
When to stop taking folic acid
The question, until what week they drink folacin, is individual. The term of cancellation is decided by the doctor.
Consultations with a doctor are required
What is the best folic acid to drink during pregnancy
Most often, women are prescribed complexes. These are preparations containing prophylactic doses of vitamins, minerals (E, folacin, ascorbic acid, iodine, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium). Here are their names and photos:
- Folio;
- Elevit;
- Pregnavit;
- Spirulina;
- Multitabs;
- Centrum.
When taking any of these drugs, the body is replenished with the necessary daily intake of vitamin B9, as well as other trace elements. The advantage of complex remedies is that you do not need to purchase different medicines, since all substances are contained in one tablet.
Folacin monopreparations are often prescribed in conjunction with other drugs: Omega-3, Iodomarin, Vitamin E. The patient and the doctor decide which method and regimen to choose.
Rich in vitamin B9
List of folic acid foods for pregnant women
If a woman prefers to use natural sources of folate instead of drugs, you need to know which foods are high in folate. This is:
- cereals: rice, buckwheat, oatmeal;
- vegetables: carrots, tomatoes, asparagus, beets;
- walnuts;
- cottage cheese;
- powdered milk;
- beans;
- green pea;
- egg yolk;
- wholemeal bread;
- beef liver.
These foods must be included in the daily diet to prevent folate deficiency.
Folic acid has no analogues
Folic acid analogues
Those who are allergic to folacin are interested in how to replace it in order to ensure the health of the unborn baby? There are no analogues of vitamin B9. The only way out is to give up drugs based on it and get the required daily amount with food.
Allergy to folic acid during pregnancy: symptoms and treatment
Signs:
- widespread rash, accompanied by itching, burning, urticaria;
- Quincke's edema - mucous, skin or fiber, poses a threat to life if it spreads to the larynx;
- anaphylactic shock;
- eczema;
- bronchial asthma.
If a woman notices symptoms, as in the photo, while taking vitamin B9, what should I do? You must stop taking the medicine and consult a doctor. Usually, antihistamines and enterosorbents are prescribed for the treatment of allergies.
Causes allergies in the form of acne and swelling
What is dangerous overdose
An overabundance of the vitamin can lead to:
- increased excitability: a woman becomes irritated, prone to insomnia, frequent mood swings;
- digestive disorders: nausea, a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, stool disorders appear;
- functional changes in the kidneys;
- allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, urticaria.
In pregnant women, an overdose can be recognized by an excessive increase in fetal weight. There is a risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma, a tendency to allergies in a child.
To achieve an excess of acid is difficult, since its excess is excreted in the urine. Usually a lot of it happens with pathologies of the kidneys, liver.
Adverse reactions are rare, folacin preparations are well tolerated, with the exception of people prone to allergies. For them, the remedy can be dangerous.
Beware of an overdose
Should I take folic acid after a missed pregnancy?
When the fetus dies, a balanced diet and vitamins, including folacin, must be observed to ensure a normal next pregnancy. This will help improve the body, restore immunity and hormonal levels.
How much does folic acid cost for pregnant women: price in pharmacies
You can buy vitamins with folate content at the following cost:
- Acid in tablets - 38 rubles;
- Folacin - 130 rubles;
- Folio - 690 rubles;
- Elevit - 580 rubles;
- Spirulina - 1115 rubles;
- Centrum - 514 rubles.
Folic acid throughout pregnancy: reviews
Xenia Sumskaya.
I took Elevit. It contains folk too. The gynecologist canceled at 20 weeks. Said it was good for the baby.
Oksana Surova.
I don't trust doctors. They gave birth before without all these dietary supplements and vitamins. And nothing. And in order for the folk to be in the body, you need to eat buckwheat, eggs and beef liver.
: Borovikova Olga
gynecologist, ultrasound doctor, geneticist
Thanks
The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!
general information
About the benefits folic acid(vitamin B 9) people have known for a long time, but only in the last 10 years, doctors have begun to actively promote preventive courses of folic acid intake for pregnant women and those suffering from iron deficiency anemia.Folic acid is involved in metabolism, in the production of DNA, plays an important role in the synthesis of immune blood cells, and normalizes the function of the digestive tract. For pregnant women, folic acid is essential because it plays an important role in the development of the neural tube of the fetus. With a normal level of vitamin B 9, the likelihood of malformations in the fetus is significantly reduced. In addition, it is necessary for the normal growth and development of the placenta.
Discovery history
In 1926, microbiologist V. Efremov discovered a specific form of anemia in pregnant women - megaloblastic anemia. Then vitaminology developed rapidly, many scientists conducted research in this area of knowledge. Most attention was paid to the nutritional factor. Efremov accurately determined the presence of a certain anti-anemic factor in the liver tissue - significant improvements were observed in patients who received food from the liver.In 1932, the British physician Wils, who worked for many years in India, found that some pregnant women suffering from megaloblastic anemia did not improve when using a purified extract of liver cells. However, these women recovered completely after consuming the crude extract. From this, Wills deduced that some important factor causing recovery was destroyed during the cleansing. This substance was soon isolated and named the Wills factor. Later it was called vitamin M. In 1941, it was found that spinach and parsley leaves are rich in this substance - therefore it was renamed folic acid (translated from Latin folium - leaf).
Mechanism of action
Once in the body, vitamin B 9 is converted into tetrahydrofolate, which serves as a component of many enzymes, and also participates in a number of biochemical reactions, such as protein metabolism. As a result, the body synthesizes amino acids necessary for the formation of proteins, epinephrine and some other factors. Also, vitamin B 9 has an effect similar to estrogens - it determines the correct development of the woman's reproductive system.It is well known that the first and most important step in the division of any cell is the division of the DNA molecule. It is in the process of DNA replication that vitamin B 9 takes an active part. In addition, it plays an important role in the synthesis of RNA, amino acids, and improves the absorption of iron. Therefore, the lack of folic acid is primarily dangerous for rapidly dividing cells.
Mood also depends on the level of folic acid. It is involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and adrenaline, which have a significant impact on the functioning of the nervous system.
Folic acid stimulates appetite and is involved in the release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Need for folic acid
The human liver usually contains some folacin, which can prevent hypovitaminosis for 3-6 months. The body of an adult needs 0.4 mg of folic acid per day, during pregnancy and lactation - 0.4-0.6 mg, a child of the 1st year of life - 0.04-0.06 mg. In the normal state of the intestinal flora, vitamin B 9 can be produced endogenously.Folic acid and pregnancy
Daily maintenance of normal folic acid levels in the months before pregnancy helps to reduce the risk of congenital malformations of the fetus. Clinical studies have shown that 80% of cases of malformation can be prevented if a woman begins to compensate for the lack of vitamin B 9 before pregnancy.AT Russian Federation It is generally accepted that the need for pregnant women without symptoms of deficiency of this micronutrient is 0.4 mg per day. During breastfeeding, the need is 0.6 mg per day.
During pregnancy, a woman's body consumes much more folic acid than before pregnancy. Vitamin B 9 is not stored in reserve, so it is important to get it daily from external sources. It is very important to maintain the required level of folic acid in the first trimester, when the fetal nervous system develops.
The most important role of vitamin B 9 for the fetus is the development of the neural tube. She also takes part in the renewal and mitosis of the cells of the mother's body, in particular cells internal organs which must be constantly updated.
Already in the second week of pregnancy, the brain begins to actively develop in the embryo. It was at this time that even a short deficiency of vitamin B 9 threatens with serious, often irreparable consequences. Since this micronutrient is necessary in the process of mitosis, which is extremely important for rapidly dividing and developing cells (these primarily include neurons and other cells of the nervous tissue), its deficiency primarily affects the developing nervous system.
Folic acid is involved in the production of the main blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets), which is important for both the mother and the fetus.
For the normal course of pregnancy, maintaining the health of the woman and the fetus, doctors recommend starting taking folic acid in the form of tablets 2-3 months before the planned pregnancy, and continuing until childbirth. When using vitamin B 9, you must adhere to the doses recommended by your doctor, since an excess of this micronutrient is just as dangerous as its deficiency.
Vitamin B 9 is the only micronutrient whose role during pregnancy is not underestimated even by opponents of synthetic vitamin preparations and medicines in general. Therefore, even if you avoid any medicines during pregnancy, do not refuse a course of vitamin B 9, at least for prevention purposes - this will save you and your child from a number of unjustified risks. Although sometimes it is necessary to compare the dosage prescribed by the doctor with the body's needs for folic acid.
Folic acid deficiency and its consequences
During heat treatment of food, up to 90% of vitamin B 9, which is part of raw foods, can be lost. For example, when frying meat, up to 95% of vitamin B 9 is destroyed, when cooking meat and products plant origin- from 70 to 90%, when boiling eggs - about half.Vitamin B 9 deficiency can develop due to its low content in the diet, impaired absorption of micronutrients in the intestine, or with an increase in the need for this substance (pregnancy, lactation).
A common cause of this hypovitaminosis is the regular use of alcoholic beverages.
Folic acid deficiency is the most common symptom in pregnant women and infants. Vitamin B 9 deficiency in the fetus develops as a result of its lack in the mother's body, and in infants - due to its insufficient content in breast milk.
Folic acid deficiency in the body of a pregnant woman can serve as a factor in the whole a number of serious violations:
- miscarriage;
- congenital malformations;
- mental retardation;
- malformation of the neural tube;
- spina bifida (in the fetus);
- malformations circulatory system;
- cleft lip or cleft palate;
- anemia.
Lack of vitamin B 9 is not always accompanied by obvious symptoms. At the same time, according to research results, a lack of folic acid is present in 20-100% of people, depending on where they live. This is one of the most common hypovitaminosis. However, even in the absence of certain clinical symptoms, the likelihood of heart attack and stroke increases significantly, immunity decreases.
Folic acid deficiency often leads to the development of pernicious anemia in premature babies. An increase in the need for vitamin B 9 occurs in a number of pathologies: leukemia, hemolytic anemia, chronic infectious diseases, carcinomatosis.
First of all, with a lack of vitamin B 9, megaloblastic anemia develops. With this type of anemia, not only does the content of erythrocytes in the blood fall, but their activity is also disrupted, since most of them do not mature in the bone marrow. If at the same time you do not make up for the lack of folic acid, symptoms such as loss of appetite, nervousness, loss of strength develop. Later, vomiting, diarrhea, alopecia join. Possible morphological disorders of the skin, the appearance of ulcers in the oral cavity and pharynx. If not treated promptly, megaloblastic anemia can lead to death.
AT last years a number of clinical trials were conducted, as a result of which it was found that vitamin B 9 deficiency, disrupting the metabolism of sulfur amino acids, leads to a delay in the blood of the amino acid homocysteine. Homocysteine has a negative effect on the intima of blood vessels, which leads to the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Violation of the absorption of vitamin B 9 can occur with diseases of the stomach, gastrectomy, when the body is deficient in anti-anemic factors (Castle factors) synthesized in the stomach. Folic acid can enter the bloodstream only by combining with antianemic factors, respectively, when they are deficient, the level of folic acid in the blood drops.
In addition to folic acid, the Castle factor carries cyanocobalamin into the blood. Therefore, prolonged use of vitamin B 9 preparations in an increased dosage can lead to a lack of cyanocobalamin.
Also, a lack of vitamin B 9 is observed in severe liver pathologies. It is in the liver that the vitamin is transformed into tetrahydrofolate, which takes part in biochemical reactions. Folic acid in its primary form is useless for the body.
If the body is deficient in vitamin B 9, the hematopoiesis system may be disrupted: red blood cells do not mature, and defective cells that are not able to transport oxygen are released into the blood. This is one of the reasons for the malformation of the nervous system in the fetus, since neurons cannot fully grow and develop under conditions of hypoxia.
Together with erythrocytes, the synthesis of leukocytes and platelets is disrupted, which can provoke a decrease in immunity and disrupt blood clotting. In pregnant women, vitamin B 9 deficiency may be accompanied by an iron deficiency. This increases the risk for both mother and baby.
Vitamin B 9 deficiency can develop with a lack of vitamins in the diet, fasting, following unbalanced diets for weight loss. However, the most common vitamin B 9 deficiency factor is dysbacteriosis. Dysbacteriosis develops as a result of prolonged, often uncontrolled intake of antibiotic drugs, incl. without a prescription from a doctor.
In the United States, there is a law requiring manufacturers to add a certain amount of vitamin B 9 to flour in order to prevent consumers from becoming deficient in this substance. In the USA, the prophylactic dose of vitamin B 9 is twice as high as in the Russian Federation.
Foods containing folic acid
Vitamin B 9 is part of all tissues of humans, animals, plants and microorganisms. Human body unable to produce folic acid. Therefore, it is obtained from food, or is produced by the microflora of the colon. Therefore, in violation of the functions of the intestine or dysbacteriosis, the production of vitamin B 9 may be insufficient. In such situations, an additional source of this micronutrient is needed.Vitamin B 9 is found in large quantities in plant foods: spinach, onions, dill, parsley, beans, peas, buckwheat, oats, bran, bananas, Walnut, grapefruit, dried apricots, melon, yeast, pumpkin, mushrooms, beets, turnips, etc.
Also, a source of folic acid is meat and animal products: beef, lamb, pork, liver, kidneys, poultry meat, milk, eggs, trout, perch, cheese, etc.
A plate of cereal porridge with milk and a glass of orange juice fill 50% of the body's daily requirement for vitamin B 9 .
The use of bifidobacteria stimulates the endogenous formation of folic acid in the intestine.
Vitamin B 9 decomposes quite quickly under the influence of sunlight and simply during prolonged storage of food, as well as during thermal processing of products. The most rapidly destroyed folic acid contained in plant foods. Folic acid in meat is more stable.
Therefore, in order to preserve the vitamin in foods, it is recommended to consume raw foods. Vegetables are best consumed in the form of raw salads. In such a salad, it is best to add garden cabbage, parsley, dill, beet, mint or dandelion leaves. It is also useful to add young nettles to the salad. Of the juices, it is better to drink orange and tomato - they contain the most folic acid.
Among meat products, the most folic acid is found in the liver. The liver can be lightly fried and boiled for a short time - while vitamin B 9, which is part of it, is not destroyed.
Medicines containing folic acid
folic acid tablets- the most convenient dosage form for dosing (one tablet contains 1 mg of the substance). In addition, today it is the most economical option. To fully compensate for the deficiency of a pregnant woman in vitamin B 9, it is enough to take 1 tablet per day. However, given the prevalence of folic acid deficiency, which may not manifest itself externally, 2-3 tablets per day can be taken 2-3 months before pregnancy and in the first trimester. This dosage is recommended by doctors, since an overdose from such an amount of the drug is impossible, and the consequences of a lack of folic acid are extremely dangerous. In this situation, doctors resort to justified reinsurance.Folic acid is available as a drug Folacin. One tablet of the drug contains 5 mg of vitamin B 9. This is much more than the daily allowance, even for a pregnant woman. Excess folic acid has neither positive nor negative effects, but is simply excreted from the body. 1 tablet Apo Folica also contains 5 mg of vitamin B 9 . Given the increased content of the substance in the tablet, Folacin and Apo-Folic are used only for acute and severe vitamin deficiency. In order to prevent these drugs are not recommended.
In one tablet of the drug Folio contains 0.4 mg of vitamin B 9 and 0.2 mg of iodine. The advantage of this dosage form is that it contains two micronutrients, so there is no need for additional use of iodine preparations. The dose of vitamin B 9 in one tablet is low, so it is recommended as a prophylactic drug. Folio is not prescribed for acute deficiency or increased need for folic acid.
Vitamin B 9 is part of multivitamin preparations for pregnant women. The content of folic acid in one tablet each drug is different:
- Materna - 1 mg;
- Elevit - 1 mg;
- Vitrum prenatal - 0.8 mg
- Vitrum prenatal forte - 0.8 mg
- Multi-tabs perinatal - 0.4 mg
- Pregnavit - 0.75 mg.
Vitamin B 9 is absorbed much better from drugs than from food.
In addition to pharmaceuticals, folic acid can be obtained from dietary supplements.
Indications
Folic acid is indicated for the following conditions:- folate deficiency anemia;
- anemia as a complication after gastrectomy;
- sprue (tropical diarrhea);
- chronic inflammation of the intestine;
- intestinal tuberculosis;
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- vitamin B deficiency 9.
- if there are pronounced signs of folic acid deficiency (in this case the dosage is calculated by the attending physician individually);
- if there are factors that increase the need for vitamin B 9, or stimulate its excretion from the body.
- use of combined oral contraceptives before conception;
- the use of Maalox or Phosphalugel;
- taking anticonvulsants during the planning period and during pregnancy;
- protein diet before conception;
- lack of plant foods in the diet;
- disruption of the digestive tract;
- vomiting during pregnancy.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that vitamin B 9 may have a positive effect in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. In persons with this pathology, as a rule, the content of folic acid and cyanocobalamin in the blood is reduced.
Dosage and administration
If a woman has any of the above factors, then during pregnancy planning and in the first trimester, it is necessary to consume 2-3 mg of vitamin B 9 per day. Also, taking the drug in an increased dosage is necessary with a high probability of a violation of the development of the neural tube. Such a risk is present in women with epilepsy, diabetes, as well as in the presence of similar disorders in relatives in a direct line.The need for folic acid during pregnancy is 0.4 - 0.8 mg per day. However, in a deficient state, the dosage is significantly increased in order to compensate for the lack of a vitamin. The neural tube of the embryo begins to develop at 3-5 weeks of gestation. At this time, a woman may not know about pregnancy, and may not complete a timely course to compensate for folic acid deficiency. Therefore, vitamin B 9 must be taken 1-3 months before the expected pregnancy. It is most important to maintain the required level of folic acid in the first trimester.
Folic acid must be taken during lactation in the amount of 0.3 mg per day (possible in the form of a multivitamin complex). This serves as a preventive course for both mother and child. If you use the drug in high doses (for example, 1 mg), then the excess amount of the vitamin is simply excreted from the woman's body without harming either her or the baby.
It is important to observe the regularity in the use of vitamin B 9. However, given that any drug contains a dose that exceeds the daily requirement for a vitamin, skipping one dose should not be a cause for concern.
- Atherosclerosis. 5 mg of vitamin B 9 per day for two weeks, then - 1 mg. It is recommended to use in the form of a B-group vitamin complex.
- Aphthous stomatitis. As a rule, aphthae (sores on the oral mucosa) appear along with cracks in the lips with a deficiency of vitamins and micronutrients involved in hematopoiesis. Among them: vitamin B 9, iron and cyanocobalamin. The recommended dosage is 5 mg of vitamin B 9 3 times a day and 10 mg of iron glycinate for 120-180 days. Once every 30 days, inject cyanocobalamin - 1 mg. During treatment, it is necessary to regularly check the level of cyanocobalamin.
- Viral hepatitis. Folic acid is used as an aid. It is recommended to take 5 mg 3 times a day for 10 days, then 5 mg once a day.
- Gingivitis and periodontitis. Take orally 1 mg of vitamin B 9 times a day, rinse the mouth 2 times a day for one minute with a 1% vitamin solution for 60-70 days.
- Depression. Often seen in individuals with folic acid deficiency. Take 2-5 mg every day in combination with B-group vitamins.
- Osteochondrosis. Vitamin B 9 is involved in the formation of a framework from collagen, on which calcium salts accumulate. Without a collagen framework, the bone does not acquire the necessary strength. The recommended dosage is once a day 5 mg of vitamin B 9, 50 mg of vitamin B6, 50 mg of B-complex vitamins.
- Tumor of the large intestine. If any of your relatives in a straight line had this oncological disease, it is strongly recommended to take 1-5 mg of vitamin B 9 and 100 mg of B-complex vitamins once a day.
- Spasm of the colon. It manifests itself in the form of alternating constipation and diarrhea, colic and bloating. Lack of vitamin B 9 can lead to chronic constipation, which leads to spasm of the colon. It is necessary to start with 10 mg of the vitamin once a day. If no progress is observed after 15-20 days, the dose should be increased to 20-60 mg per day until a positive effect occurs. Further, the dosage is gradually reduced. At the same time, it is recommended to take 0.1 g of B-complex vitamins once a day. During the course, it is necessary to regularly check the level of cyanocobalamin. It is recommended to include oat bran in the diet, which contains water-soluble fiber. wheat bran in this case they are not suitable, since their fiber is insoluble.
- Epilepsy. After an epileptic attack, the level of vitamin B 9 in the brain decreases. Anticonvulsants also reduce its plasma concentration. As a result, seizures become more frequent. Usually, epilepsy is prescribed 5 mg once a day. However, the drug should be taken only after consulting a doctor.
Overdose
Overdose happens very rarely. To do this, the body must receive hundreds of times more than the required amount of folic acid (20-30 mg). With a slight excess of the required amount of the drug, the excess folic acid is excreted without causing any harm to the body. However, like any medication, vitamin B 9 preparations can cause allergies.A serious disadvantage of long-term use of vitamin B 9 preparations is that it hides the symptoms of megaloblastic anemia, but does not stop the neurological disorders characteristic of this disease. Therefore, with prolonged use of vitamin B 9 preparations, a latent progression of severe neurological disorders due to a lack of cyanocobalamin is possible. Just 10 years ago, it was generally accepted that there was no overdose of this micronutrient. However, studies are now known that indicate that pregnant women who have been taking vitamin B 9 preparations at an increased dosage for a long time give birth to children with weak immunity, a tendency to bronchial asthma and colds.
Hypervitaminosis
High doses of vitamin B 9 can cause dyspepsia or irritability in a child. Prolonged use of the vitamin at an increased dosage is not recommended, as this can lead to a drop in the blood content of cyanocobalamin.Side effects
Depending on individual tolerance, folic acid preparations can cause allergic manifestations, bronchospasm, skin redness, hyperthermia, rash.Vitamin B 9 does not have a toxic effect on the human body. Clinical studies have been conducted on the long-term use of vitamin B 9 at a dosage of 15 mg per day (40 times the daily requirement of the body). According to the results of studies, the drug did not have any toxic effect. However, prolonged intake (more than 90 days) of vitamin B 9 at an increased dosage can lead to a drop in the level of cyanocobalamin in the blood, which can cause anemia. Increased doses of the vitamin can provoke disorders of the digestive tract, increase excitability, and cause an imbalance in the functioning of the kidneys.
Some drugs reduce the content of vitamin B 9 in blood plasma. Among them:
- acetylsalicylic acid (at an increased dosage);
- nitrofurans (taken for urinary tract infections);
- combined oral contraceptives;
Folic acid and men's health
Vitamin B 9 is necessary for both women and men. With chronic vitamin deficiency, men can develop a number of pathologies, including infertility and megaloblastic anemia. Taking folic acid in a therapeutic dosage eliminates such complications.The main indicator of men's health is considered to be the state of spermatozoa. Spermatozoa are the same cells, their synthesis requires protein and nucleic acids. In the absence of vitamin B 9, sperm synthesis is impaired. With a lack of a vitamin, the concentration of spermatozoa decreases, and their condition worsens: spermatozoa may have an unnatural shape or not have a tail, which reduces their mobility. But the worst thing is that such spermatozoa may have the wrong number of chromosomes, and this is the main factor in hereditary diseases in children (eg Down's syndrome).
Vitamin B 9 and the hormone testosterone determine the normal development of spermatozoa. Folic acid is extremely important for men in puberty, since it is one of the factors in the development of secondary sexual characteristics (coarsening of the voice, facial and body hair, intensive growth).
Folic acid in the treatment and prevention of cancer
Vitamin B 9 prevents cancer. But if the disease has already begun, then the drug should not be used, since folic acid will promote the division of cancer cells. In such situations, drugs are used that inhibit the activity of vitamin B 9, such as methotrexate. This slows down the growth of the tumor. In order to prevent metabolic disorders, a drug is prescribed that replaces vitamin B 9 - folinic acid. Given the higher risk of cancer in older people, they are advised not to take folic acid supplements without a doctor's recommendation.Leucovorin - medicine based on folinic acid, successfully used as part of chemotherapy oncological diseases. It reduces the severity of intoxication after the use of cytotoxic drugs (vomiting, diarrhea, hyperthermia, bone marrow damage).
Recent studies by scientists in the United States have proven the relationship between taking vitamin B 9 preparations and the progression of colon tumors.
Since 1980, Harvard has conducted a survey every 2 years, in which approximately 90,000 women with children participated. The questions concerned nutrition and, separately, the intake of vitamin complexes. In 1994, the collected information was carefully examined for the incidence of colon cancer, the third most common cancer among women in the United States. Survey data showed that women who took sufficient amounts of vitamin B 9 - more than 0.4 g mg per day, were least likely to suffer from this disease.
Scientists concluded: 75% of cases of colon tumors in women can be avoided if prophylactic doses of vitamin B 9 are consumed throughout life.
Research has led to another important conclusion. Least of all, a tumor of the large intestine occurred in women who regularly consumed vitamin complexes over the past 10-15 years.
Folic acid and prevention of atherosclerosis
AT recent times doctors are increasingly inclined to believe that folic acid is effective in the prevention of atherosclerosis - the main factor in diseases of the cardiovascular system.Today, a new theory of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is popular in Western countries. According to this theory, the main reason for the progression of atherosclerosis is the high level in the blood of cholesterol, which is not known to everyone, but another bioactive factor - homocysteine.
Homocysteine is an endogenous amino acid. Under the influence of enzymes in the body, it is transformed into the essential fatty amino acid methionine, which is involved in the production of protein. If the body is deficient in the appropriate enzymes, homocysteine accumulates in the blood and destroys the walls blood vessels causing inflammation. Cholesterol is involved in this process at later stages. Supporters of the new theory argue that without homocysteine, even with an elevated level of cholesterol in the blood, atherosclerosis does not progress.
What is the role of folic acid in this vein? The fact is that it is it that is necessary for the synthesis in the body of enzymes that transform homocysteine into methionine. Deficiency of vitamin B 9 causes a deficiency of the corresponding enzyme. As a result, excess homocysteine accumulates in the blood, which leads to the progression of atherosclerosis, and then to its complications - ischemia of the heart muscle, heart attack, stroke.
Before use, you should consult with a specialist.Folic acid is a synthetic vitamin recommended for pregnant women.
It is required for the stable course of various processes and the functioning of the intestines and stomach, immune, nervous and other systems.
If the intestinal microflora is normal, the body itself can produce a small percentage of such acid, which needs to be replenished. A deficiency of such a vitamin can contribute.
Folic acid refers to water-soluble vitamins, the content of which is required for the stable development of the circulatory system and immunity.
The derivatives of the substance include di-, tri- and polyglutamates, united by the name folacin.
Folic acid was isolated in 1941 from spinach. This discovery was preceded by research by Lucy Wills. She concluded that the use of yeast extract leads to.
This observation led researchers to the need to isolate and identify vitamin B9. A group of scientists succeeded in chemically synthesizing acid in 1945.
The biological role of folic acid is to design healthy cells and maintain them in a normal state.
The vitamin is especially useful for intrauterine development of fetal tissues and cells.
The norm of folic acid for women is 250 mcg per day. Pregnant women require much more of the specified component.
Importance of taking folic acid during pregnancy
The need to take folic acid is not challenged even by those who are against synthetic vitamins.
When ingested, the acid is converted into tetrahydrofolate, which is recognized as the most important component of enzymes and participates in biochemical processes.
Tetrahydrofolate helps the body produce the amino acids that make up proteins.
Folic acid is responsible for the division of molecules that are required for the transmission of hereditary traits.
Its reception is relevant for pregnant women, because the cells of the fetus must constantly participate in the process of division to ensure its stable development. The appointment of acid during this period is due to its participation in the structure of the placental layer.
During embryonic development, vitamin B9 is actively used for hematopoiesis.
This element is necessary for a woman to maintain.
Folic acid is always prescribed in early pregnancy. In the second week, the place where the future brain of the baby will develop is already revealed in the embryo.
The sooner a woman begins to use a synthetic vitamin, the less likely the pathologies of the baby's nervous system.
The neural tube is formed on the sixteenth day after the conception of a child. To stabilize this process, the inclusion of folic acid in the diet is required. Otherwise, the following defects in the neural tube of the fetus will appear:
- Hydrocephalus.
- and anemia.
- Manifested hernia of the brain.
- Spina bifida process.
- Anencephaly (no brain).
Other consequences include:
- Cleft lip and palate.
- Explicit development of malformations of the cardiovascular system of the baby.
- Violation in the formation of the placenta,.
- , stillbirth.
- Inhibition of fetal development.
It is important for pregnant women to prevent acid deficiency, because it has a beneficial effect not only on the fetus.
Folic acid can lead to the production of substances that are required for the normal functioning of the nervous system of the female body.
Vitamin is responsible for the normal secretion of gastric juice and the natural functioning of the digestive system.
Apathy, constant weakness throughout the body, sudden mood swings - all this can be triggered by the lack of a normal amount of acid in the body.
If you do not use the vitamin in a timely manner, you can cause the active progression of megaloblastic anemia, which often causes the death of an infant.
Dosage
Women carrying a child require a higher dosage of folic acid - from 400 to 800 mcg per day.
If a deficiency in vitamin B9 is found after the examination, it will be necessary to increase the dosage in accordance with the requirements of the attending physician.
It has been mentioned that it is very important to start taking folic acid in the first weeks of pregnancy. The dosage in the first trimester should be 3 tablets per day, especially if there are clear signs of vitamin B9 deficiency.
There are factors that affect the rapid elimination of folic acid from the body or increase its intake.
These include: a diet on protein foods or a lack of plant foods, vomiting.
In the second trimester and in the later stages, the dose may be reduced to a tablet per day, provided that the normal content of vitamin B9 is restored. The natural consumption rate in the third trimester should not exceed 300-350 mcg per day.
Basic preparations with folic acid
- Folacin.
This is a vitamin preparation with folic acid as an active ingredient. The drug is available in tablets of 5 mg. Folacin is required to prevent defects in the fetal nervous system and alimentary acid deficiency. The recommended dosage is 0.0004 g per day.
Folacin is prescribed in the first months of gestation.
- Folic acid tablets.
Tablets are a dosage form of folic acid. The content of the active substance in one tablet is 1 mg or 1000 mcg.
Overdose when using folic acid in its pure form is excluded. Tablets are indicated in the treatment of megaloblastic anemia, maintaining the normal condition of a pregnant woman and fetus.
- Folio.
Represents vitamin complex that can compensate for the lack of folic acid and iodine deficiency in the body.
It can be attributed to the group of biologically active additives.
Folio should also be taken during pregnancy and lactation.
The drug regulates production processes, participates in the synthesis of nucleic acids, preventing the development of fetal neural tube defects.
- Folic acid in multivitamins
Folic acid is included. Here are the main ones:
- Elevit.
- Materna.
Vitamin B9 in this preparation contains 1 mcg. Assign 1-2 tablets, depending on the content of folic acid in the body of a pregnant woman. It is recommended to take vitamins in the morning on an empty stomach.
Per tablet - 800 micrograms of vitamin B It is best to take no more than one tablet per day.
- Compliment Mom.
The tablet contains 400 micrograms of folic acid. It is better to take 2 tablets, depending on the content of the vitamin. If there is a deficiency, an increase in dose is likely.
- Capsules Pregnavit.
One capsule - 750 mcg. The correct dosage is a capsule per day.
- Alphabet "Mom's Health".
Contains 300 micrograms of vitamin B. 2 tablets per day are allowed - in the morning and evening hours.
- Multitabs Perinatal.
Folic acid in food
The list contains products with the highest content of the component. The concentration per 100 g of the product is indicated:
Contraindications and side effects
Many women in the position are worried about an overdose of folic acid preparations. But this happens extremely rarely - you need to drink about 20 tablets in order for an overdose to occur.
In exceptional cases, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, diarrhea may occur. Such symptoms require a visit to the doctor.
Contraindications include:
- Bronchial asthma.
- Oncological diseases (inevitably leads to the growth of malignant tumors).
- and other kidney diseases
The use of special products with a very high content of vitamin B9 is recommended. You should adhere to the dose prescribed by a medical specialist. Acid deficiency should not be allowed already at the initial stage of pregnancy.
Excess vitamin can be excreted in the urine, which prevents its side effects from manifesting itself.
Flaw useful acid can lead to significant disruption in further development fetus, abortion.
