Folic acid benefits in Pregnancy
Pregnancy and Folic Acid
Our body has the capability of producing various nutrients from the food we eat. Most of what we eat is converted to assist in our body functions and give us energy and keep us healthy.
For a pregnant woman, folic acid – a B vitamin – is a necessary nutrient. It is called food for the brain and is required to produce energy and to form red blood cells. It also helps in fortifying our immunity by assisting in the production and enhancing the performance of white blood cells.
The key function of folic acid during pregnancy is being the catalytic co-enzyme in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, aiding in the process of cell division and replication. Folic acid helps in metabolizing complex proteins and is used to treat folic acid anemia. It has also been known to help cure anxiety and depressive disorders as well as in uterine cervical dysplasia treatments.
During pregnancy, folic acid is prescribed to help in the regulation and formation of fetal and embryonic nerve cells, which aid in the normal development of the fetus.
A great number of birth defects pertaining to the brain and spinal cord can be avoided by starting on a proper folic acid regimen prior to and in the initial weeks of pregnancy. Neural tube defects like anencephaly and spina bifida – which are spinal cord defects, as well as premature birth, can be prevented by starting on the folic acid regimen early on. Neural tube defects originate in the first month of pregnancy.
It is known that critical processes in the development of the fetus take place during the first six weeks of pregnancy. For optimum results, the course of therapy of folic acid should commence even before conception and should be maintained over a period of the first trimester of pregnancy, without even waiting to confirm the pregnancy.
Since almost half the women of childbearing age have unplanned pregnancies, it is strongly recommended that these women must ensure there is always a sufficient amount of folic acid in her system prior to becoming pregnant.
Spina bifida, caused by lack of folic acid in a mother-to-be could lead to other dangerous conditions like paralysis of the lower body in a child, or even a miscarriage or stillbirth. Bowel control and bladder incontinence, as well as cleft palate and lip could also be the result of low or lack of folic acid.
Folic acid is naturally available in foods such as kidney beans, lentils, citrus fruits, whole wheat bread, spinach, and broccoli. However, if you plan to get pregnant you should start taking vitamins containing folic acid about three months before getting pregnant.
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