Can men take folic acid? Do men need to take folic acid to prepare for pregnancy?

Now with the popularization of scientific methods of preparing for pregnancy, everyone knows that folic acid is needed during the process of preparing for pregnancy. So, does the father need to take folic acid tablets? Today, let's introduce to you whether men can take folic acid and whether men should take folic acid tablets during the process of preparing for pregnancy.

If a man does not have enough folic acid in his body, it may reduce the concentration of semen and even cause abnormal chromosome separation in sperm. Therefore, it is necessary for men who are preparing to become fathers to take folic acid tablets.

However, it is best for men to take folic acid tablets together with women three months before pregnancy, because the cycle from sperm production to ejaculation usually takes three months. Couples taking folic acid tablets together before pregnancy can more effectively prevent congenital neurological diseases in newborns. Once a woman successfully becomes pregnant, the man can stop taking folic acid tablets.

Folic acid tablets are a type of vitamin over-the-counter drug, the main ingredient of which is folic acid, and the auxiliary ingredients are starch, lactose, magnesium stearate, etc. Folic acid tablets are usually suitable for women preparing for pregnancy, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, etc. in clinical practice, mainly used to prevent congenital neural tube defects and other diseases in the fetus.

Whether men or women, when taking folic acid tablets, they should understand that folic acid supplementation should be done in moderation. It does not mean that the more you consume, the better. Instead, you should consult a professional doctor or pharmacist based on your actual situation, and then take folic acid tablets as instructed.

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin and an indispensable nutrient for fetal growth and development. It exists in all life systems, from viruses and bacteria to humans. Because it was originally extracted from spinach leaves, it is called folic acid.

In addition to preventing neural tube malformations and birth defects, folic acid can also reduce the incidence of spontaneous abortion, alleviate pregnancy reactions, and promote fetal growth. Of course, taking folic acid is not just for women. As the other half of the offspring, the nutrition of the father is crucial to the future health of the child.

Men often have the habit of smoking and drinking, which is not only harmful to the body, but also easily causes the loss of many nutrients. In addition, men tend to eat more meat and less vegetables and fruits, which has a negative impact on the body and then affects the fetus. Although the child is conceived in the mother's body, the quality of the offspring depends largely on the quality of the fertilized egg.

Therefore, it is necessary for men to take folic acid before pregnancy.

Before becoming pregnant, almost every woman is told: "Take some folic acid supplements quickly to prevent birth defects in your child." But on March 19, the U.S. "Health Day" website and many other media focused on the role of folic acid for prospective fathers: A recent U.S. study showed that folic acid is of great significance to male sperm, and its intake may also affect the health level of newborns.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, analyzed the sperm quality of 89 healthy men and recorded their daily intake of zinc, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. The results showed that men with the highest folic acid intake had the lowest chance of sperm abnormalities. "That is, if you take 722-1500 micrograms a day, the risk factor will be reduced by 20%-30%." Brenda Eskenach, one of the researchers and a professor at the Children's Environmental Health Center of the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, said that low folic acid levels in men will cause the number of chromosomes carried in semen to be either too many or too few. If the egg combines with these abnormal sperm, it may cause newborn defects, such as Down syndrome, and increase the chance of miscarriage in women.

In recent years, the medical community has been paying attention to the relationship between dietary nutrition and the health of newborns. This study in the United States has opened up a new field. "According to the results of this study, men who want to be fathers can supplement folic acid appropriately, such as eating more green leafy vegetables, fruits, and legumes; and men whose wives are already pregnant do not need to be overly nervous, because even men with insufficient nutrition still have 99% normal sperm."

Do men need to take folic acid? - Expectant fathers also need to supplement folic acid. It has always been believed that expectant mothers only need to supplement folic acid. In fact, expectant fathers cannot ignore the supplement of folic acid. Folic acid itself is an essential nutrient for the human body. Pregnant mothers have a large demand for folic acid. For expectant fathers, folic acid is an important substance for improving sperm quality. When folic acid is insufficient in the male body, the concentration of semen and sperm activity will decrease, which will reduce the chance of conception.

The above article has introduced in detail that it is necessary for men to supplement folic acid. So when expectant mothers take folic acid tablets, they can share them with expectant fathers, so that they can conceive a healthy and happy baby as soon as possible.