1. A B Vitamin
Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps the body produce new and healthy cells. It is also known as Vitamin B9, folacin or folate. All humans need an adequate amount of folic acid, but it is particularly important for pregnant women. Some recent studies suggest folic acid may be helpful in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers also say it may help prevent, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. The recommended daily allowance is 400 mg.
2. Eat Your Greens
You can get folic acid from many foods. Leafy, green vegetables, such as spinach, turnip greens, broccoli and romaine lettuce, fruits, nuts and dried beans all have good amounts of folic acid. Frozen orange juice from concentrate contains folic acid. Many breakfast cereals are also fortified with folic acid. However, most people find it impossible to get as much folic acid as the body requires. They add a multivitamin supplement to their daily diet, since most multivitamins contain about 400 mg of folic acid. But check the label. There are some multivitamins that don't have it.
3. Feeling Tired?
You can develop anemia in you don't get enough of this important supplement. Extreme tiredness is usually the first symptom. You may also experience a rapid heart beat, weight loss and general body weakness. Your doctor will perform blood tests to see if you are anemic. He will most likely recommend folic acid supplements to get your folic acid level restored.
4. Moms-to-be Listen Up
All women who are planning to become pregnant should make sure to get adequate amounts of folic acid. You can substantially reduce the risk of major spine and brain defects, also called neural tube defects, in your unborn child when you take folic acid. Spina bifida often results from a less than adequate intake of folic acid in the mother. New research suggests that folic acid may also be important for men who are planning on fathering children. Women who get extra folic acid just before and during early pregnancy reduce the risk of neural tube defects by about 70 percent. Folic acid may also reduce your chance of miscarriage.
5. Double the Dose
Women who are of childbearing age should increase their intake of folic acid the months before actually becoming pregnant. It is also extremely critical in the first few months of pregnancy. Most doctors recommend increasing the 400 mg of folic acid to about 800 for newly pregnant women.
Member Comments