Pregnancy is a period in which nutritional and energy requirements increase and diet plays a crucial role in the baby development.
Deficiency or excess of some nutrients during pregnancy can have consequences for the baby in the short and long term. One of the nutrients we are going to talk about in this publication is folic acid. Do you want to know why it is so important?
What is folic acid?
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is found in many supplements and fortified foods. This is the synthetic form of folate. Our body uses folic acid to make new cells and maintain them. It is required for normal growth and development during life, and is especially important in pregnant women.
Why is folic acid important before and during pregnancy?
Vitamin B9 is an essential nutrient that we cannot synthesize, but we have to incorporate it through diet. In pregnancy it is very important to consume enough folic acid as it helps the fetus to prevent neural tube defects (NTD). NTDs are congenital defects of the brain, spine and spinal cord that occur in the first month of pregnancy. The two most common DTNs are spina bifida and anencephaly. In the spina bifida, the fetus spine and spinal cord do not form properly. In anencephaly, much of the brain and skull does not develop.
It has also been shown that folic acid intake decreases the rate of cleft lip (a cleft upper lip) and congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease occurs when the heart or blood vessels do not grow normally before the baby is born.
In which foods can I find it in?
Folate can be found in some foods such as:
- Legumes
- Green leafy vegetables such as cabbages, spinach ...
- Nuts
- Cereals
- Yeasts
The Ministry of Health recommends the intake of foods containing folic acid, such as those mentioned above. In addition, they also advise taking a folic acid supplement of 0.4 mg a day to every woman who is planning a pregnancy. If you have a history of DTN, the dose increases to 4 mg / day. Folic acid supplementation is considered the most important and effective intervention for the reduction of congenital defects.
