How much folic acid should pregnant mothers take every day? Everyone's situation is different, so please consult a doctor

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is an essential substance for fetal growth. It is a nutrient in the vitamin B group and is water-soluble, so it cannot accumulate in the body. The following is a look at how much folic acid pregnant mothers should take every day. Each person's situation is different, so please consult a doctor.

How much folic acid should pregnant mothers take every day

Pregnant women need much more folic acid than ordinary people, and need to supplement about 600 micrograms per day, including folic acid from folic acid tablets and food. Because each pregnant woman has a different constitution, it is best to consult a doctor before supplementing folic acid to choose the most appropriate method of folic acid supplementation to avoid excessive or insufficient folic acid supplementation.

Which foods contain folic acid?

1. Cereals and root vegetables

Including some soy products such as soybeans, and whole grain foods such as barley, wheat, etc., as well as popular nuts such as chestnuts, pine nuts, walnuts, etc.

2. Vegetables

Among the vegetable family, dark-colored ones are the best, such as aloe vera, green coconut flowers, spinach, etc., which have better effects when taken.

3. Meat

Eggs, chicken, beef, mutton, etc. and animal offal (chicken liver, pork liver, etc.).

4. Fruits

Including some delicious ones like grapes and lemons, appetizing bayberries, and bowel-moistening bananas, etc.

5. Oils and fats

Nuts, such as walnut oil.

The role of folic acid in pregnant women

In recent years, with the promotion of eugenics and the general improvement of people's living standards, it is no longer a new thing for pregnant women to supplement folic acid. We all know that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is one of the things that expectant mothers must do to have children.

1. Prevent anemia in pregnant women: Pregnant women need folic acid to produce normal red blood cells. Surveys show that the prevalence of anemia among women of childbearing age in China is 20.6%. Insufficient folic acid intake may also cause anemia in pregnant women.

2. Prevent congenital malformations in babies: Reduce the risk of birth defects in babies. Taking folic acid tablets can prevent birth defects such as heart defects and cleft upper lip.

3. Prevent the incidence of congenital defects in newborns: Neural tube defects are common congenital malformations in newborns in China. If women take the recommended dose of folic acid every day at least one month before conception and in the first three months of pregnancy, the risk of neural tube defects in babies can be reduced by 50% to 70%.

4. Promote placental development: Folic acid affects the basic structure of DNA and cells. Getting adequate folic acid during pregnancy is particularly important for the rapidly growing placenta and baby.

5. Preventing preeclampsia in pregnant women: Taking multivitamins containing folic acid can reduce the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women.

Are high-dose folic acid supplements safe?

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin. Generally, it will not cause poisoning if it exceeds the minimum requirement of adults by 20 times. The excess amount of folic acid is excreted in the urine. There are also many studies that show that no adverse reactions are found in daily supplementation of 4mg or 5mg of folic acid, which is safe for pregnant women and offspring.

Although some studies suggest that folic acid supplementation may increase the risk of colon cancer, autism in children, asthma, etc., there are also studies that do not support these conclusions. Overall, there is not enough evidence for the adverse reactions of folic acid supplementation.