You are having a baby or planning a pregnancy. Learn what you need to know about folic acid.
Having a healthy baby means making sure you're healthy, too! One of the most important things to help prevent serious birth defects in the baby is to get enough folic acid every day — especially during preconception and early pregnancy.
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Folic acid (also known as folate or vitamin B9) is a vitamin which plays an important role in the production of RBC or Red Blood Corpuscles for increasing Hemoglobin count in the blood, DNA repair(chromosomal repair, to put it in a simpler way) and help baby’s neural tube development into brain & spinal cord.
Sources of Folic Acid:
Folic acid naturally occurs in a wide variety of foods like:
Dark leafy greens for an immediate boost in folic acid like spinach, turnip, broccoli, okra (bhindi), cauliflower, beetroot, carrot, corn etc. These contain good amount of folic acid so regular consumption of these vegetables is required. But don’t overcook these vegetables because folic acid is heat sensitive and can get destroyed by cooking.
Many fruits contain folic acid, but citrus fruit ranks the highest. Orange is a rich source of folic acid (1 orange=50mcg- micrograms). Some other sources are: grapes, avocado, papaya and strawberries.
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Under this group Sunflower seeds, flax seeds, peanut, walnut, til/gingelly seeds, almond, etc. are known for the Folate content. Flax seeds have an appreciable content of folic acid and, it can be used by sprinkling on salads, cut fruit platters, curry, can be mixed into dough doughs while making Indian breads (chapathis) or Dosa, buttermilk, or can be taken as whole nuts in roasted or soaked form.
The requirement of folic acid as per RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance), 2010 are:
Examples of common food to meet the RDA of folate in pregnancy
Ingredients Amount(gm) Folate(mcg)
Raw spinach 100 263
Orange 100 50
Flax seeds 15 54
Sunflower seeds 15 82
Peanut 15 52.9
Total 502.9
(Source: RDA, 2010)So, if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, consult your healthcare provider and start taking folic acid supplements in addition to eating a healthy diet regularly.
Must Read : Indulge Yourself In Preconception Nutrition For A Healthy Pregnancy
Yes, you can, but with a doctor’s prescription. Many gynaecologists prescribe folic acid once they know you are planning a pregnancy. Folate is essential for the baby’s neural development, which happens within the first month of pregnancy. So starting on folic acid even before confirming pregnancy can prevent any folate deficiency, which may impact the baby.
You can start taking folic acid even 3 months before conception. It is recommended to start the supplement a month before conception, especially if your diet cannot provide enough folate. Your doctor will guide you on how much and how long to take folic acid. Self-medication should be avoided at all costs, as excess folate is also not recommended.
Folic acid is essential for the baby’s neural development. The neural tube that develops within the first month of pregnancy becomes the baby’s brain and spinal cord. A folate deficiency at this stage increases the risk of neural tube defects and other brain development issues. Taking folic acid during the preconception stage can drastically reduce this risk.
Different brands come in different combinations. It is advisable to choose active, bioavailable forms of folic acid rather than the synthetic form. You can also boost your folate intake by making dietary changes, such as adding more lentils, citrus fruits, or leafy greens. Discuss with your doctor and choose the supplement that best suits your needs and is considered safe by your doctor.
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