Ginger & Folic Acid

Ginger and folic acid have different sources and different uses. Folic acid is a vitamin, while ginger is a root used as a seasoning or for medicinal purposes. However, used properly, each is a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle. Ginger with folic acid is an especially useful combination in pregnancy.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B-9, one of the B-complex vitamins. These vitamins work together to turn dietary carbohydrates -- the food you eat -- into the glucose your body uses as fuel. They are also essential to production of the body's genetic material, DNA and RNA; proper nervous system and brain function; and growth and development. Folic acid deficiency has been linked to heart disease, depression and cancer, although these relationships are not fully understood. In food sources, folic acid or B-9 is known as folate. Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach, asparagus, beets, Brussels sprouts, salmon and milk are excellent sources of folate.

Ginger

Ginger is the rhizome, or root, of the plant Zingiber officinale. It has a long history of use as a cooking spice and a medicine for immune support and gastrointestinal upset. It is often used as a remedy for stomach upset due to motion sickness and chemotherapy. Ginger may also have anti-inflammatory properties. A 2001 study published in "Arthritis and Rheumatism" showed that patients with osteoarthritis required significantly less pain medication when taking ginger extract supplements than the control group.

Ginger and Folic Acid in Pregnancy

A good-quality prenatal vitamin will contain sufficient folic acid. This vitamin is essential during pregnancy since it helps prevent birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly. Women who take folic acid before and during pregnancy reduce the risk of having a child with neural tube defects by between 72 and 100 percent, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Folic acid can also help prevent pregnancy-related anemia. As for ginger, it is an effective natural remedy for pregnancy-induced nausea, also known as morning sickness.

Dosage and Use

Healthy adults should get about 400 mcg of folic acid a day. Pregnant women and women hoping to conceive should take 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid daily. Once you are pregnant, ask your doctor about the right dose for you. Continue with a dose of 500 mcg while breastfeeding, and eat folate-rich foods. If you're afflicted with morning sickness, take 250 mg of ginger extract four times a day. For non-pregnancy-related nausea, a tea made with 2 to 4 g of fresh shredded root may be helpful. You may also chew a piece of fresh ginger. For cold and flu symptoms and menstrual pain, make a tea of 2 tbsp. of shredded ginger steeped in hot water two to three times a day.