You may be trying to conceive or are already pregnant, your doctor will definitely recommend you folic acid supplements. Have you wondered why? Well! Before we move onto the benefits of using folic acid, let us first know what folic acid is.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which is also known as folate and is a family member of vitamin B. Our body cannot make folate or vitamin B9 on its own and therefore we need to eat folic acid rich food items or consume dietary folic acid supplements.
Foods That Are A Rich Source Of Folic Acids:
- Fruits like bananas, melons, oranges, avocados and lemons
- Green and leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach, asparagus and okra
- Nuts, dried beans, and peas
- Whole wheat bread, cereals, lentils and other grain products
Along with foods rich in folic acid and iron, doctors always suggest consuming Folic Acid capsules or tablets, as these supplements contain the right amount of vitamin that is needed for a woman’s body who is trying to conceive or is pregnant. A woman should consume folic acid for pregnancy as per the guidance of her doctor. However, normally the recommended daily dosage of folic acid includes 400 to 800 micrograms until a woman is 12 weeks pregnant. It is advised to consult an obstetrician, before trying to conceive, as doctors usually prescribe a 90 days course of folic acid.
Directions To Consume: You can consume 1 tablet of folic acid after lunch along with water.
Recommended Dosage:
- The recommended dosage of folic acid tablets before pregnancy is 400 micrograms.
- The recommended dosage of folic acid tablets for pregnant and lactating mothers is 800 micrograms.
Why Is Folic Acid Important For A Woman?
The presence of folic acid in your body will help in preventing any kinds of birth defects related to the baby’s brain and spine. The birth defects due to deficiency of folic acids are termed as neural tube defects or NTDs. Usually, these defects are formed during the first week of pregnancy and therefore doctors always prescribe folic acid tablets to women, even before they start planning their family, to avoid deficiency.
Other Benefits Include:
- Help to generate more red blood cells
- Can improve symptoms of depression
- Helps in improving metabolism
- Helps in reducing levels of homocysteine, that is related to kidney problems
- Helps in reducing the side effects of methotrexate treatment
- Known to help people with autism
- Can help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Brands For Buying Folic Acids:
Some of the brands for buying the best folic acid tablets include INLIFE, Natures Velvet, Biotrex, GNC, and Purayati. All these are renowned brands, which you can find online on apps like HealthKart.
Conclusion: It is hard to get all the nutrients required by your body from eating food and therefore you need to consume folic acid supplements. However, try to consult a gynaecologist before starting a folic acid tablet. Also, do not exceed the dosage of the supplement that is prescribed to you. Stay healthy and happily embrace motherhood.