Folic acid for what it is pregnant. What is folic acid and why do pregnant women need it. Side effects and contraindications

Folic acid during pregnancy is a necessary substance for a woman's body and gestation.

Deficiency of folate compounds or vitamin B9 is dangerous and leads to a change in the blood composition of the expectant mother and child, disorders in the development of the placenta. The result is the birth of premature babies or children with developmental pathologies.

Folic acid is found in foods:

broccoli;
green pea;
carrot;
bananas;
citrus;
leafy greens;
yeast;
bread products, etc.

A balanced diet is necessary to obtain the required amount of B9. But even in this case, the development of vitamin deficiency is possible.

The reason is the rapid destruction of folic acid during storage of products. Moreover, the body's need for a pregnant woman in the vitamin increases significantly.

Other causes of folic acid deficiency:

low intake from food;
genetic diseases (there are no enzymes in the body for the absorption and processing of folates);
chronic diseases of the intestines or stomach (normal absorption of the substance is disturbed);
passion for alcoholic beverages;
the use of certain drugs - sulfonamides, oral contraception, anticonvulsants, antacids, anti-tuberculosis drugs.

folic acid during pregnancy

Vitamin B9 deficiency is a scourge among pregnant women these days. If the expectant mother has constant weakness, fatigue, anemia, dizziness and headaches, irritability - perhaps the reason is precisely the deficiency of folic acid.

The value of the vitamin in the body is enormous for the production of proteins and nucleic acids. It is necessary for the regeneration of cells and tissues, maintaining the normal state of all organs, and preventing the transformation of cells into cancerous ones.

An even greater role of folic acid during pregnancy. It ensures normal growth and development of the fetus.

Sufficient folate content is important in the 1st trimester. During these months, all the organs and systems of the embryo are laid, and most importantly, its nervous tissue and blood vessels of the placenta.

Why is a deficit dangerous?

The main danger of vitamin B9 deficiency during pregnancy is the insufficient development of the neural tube in the embryo.

This leads to such malformations:

fading of pregnancy, that is, the death of the fetus in utero;
hydrocephalus, or dropsy of the brain;
anencephaly, that is, the embryo completely lacks a brain;
spina bifida;
hernia of the brain;
impaired mental function;
physical underdevelopment.

The importance of folic acid for the vascular system in the uterus is great. Consequences of a lack of a substance:

premature detachment of the placenta;
spontaneous abortion.

Folate deficiency affects the well-being of a pregnant woman. The manifestations are:

toxicosis in the early stages;
rapid fatigue;
weakness;
loss of appetite;
digestive disorders;
headache and dizziness;
leg cramps.

For this reason, doctors recommend drinking folic acid already at the planning stage of pregnancy. In fact, women often find out about conception for a period of 5-6 weeks, and it is during this period that the embryo is especially susceptible to vitamin deficiency.

How to use?

Folic acid is produced in the form of tablets in its pure form or in combination with cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) or ascorbic acid. They also produce vitamin complexes and biological supplements with B9 in the composition.

Tablets are drunk without chewing and washed down with plain water. Reception regardless of food.

When to start?

It is better to start drinking folic acid even before conception. This will prevent possible pathologies.

WHO - The World Health Organization recommends that all pregnant women take folic acid and iron supplements. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor leading the pregnancy. Be sure to take into account the history of the woman, the presence of any chronic diseases.

How long to drink?

Folic acid during pregnancy is especially important in the first trimester, that is, from conception to 12 weeks.

Then you can refuse to take the drug, provided that there are no manifestations of its insufficiency. In some cases, a woman is prescribed a vitamin and then - in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

It is advisable to start drinking folic acid when planning pregnancy, then until childbirth and the completion of breastfeeding.

The dosage varies depending on the timing:

Conception planning period - 400 mcg daily.
First trimester of pregnancy - 600 - 800 mcg.
From the 13th week until the end of pregnancy - 800 mcg per day.
During breastfeeding - 400 - 600 mcg per day.

If necessary, the gynecologist can increase the daily dose:

With miscarriages, fetal fading, the birth of children with malformations - 4 mg per day.
With diabetes mellitus or epilepsy in a woman - 1 mg.
When taking certain drugs - 800 mcg - 4 mg per day (anticonvulsants, sulfonamides, alcohol-based medicines, anti-tuberculosis, etc.).

Preparations

Folic acid is produced both in pure form and in the form of preparations:

Folic acid tablets. Contains 1 mg of vitamin B9. For prevention, the recommended dosage is 1 tablet per day.
Folio. Contains 400 micrograms of folate combined with 200 micrograms of iodine. Reception prevents the lack of B9 and iodine in the body of a pregnant woman.
Folacin. The content of the active substance in the tablet is high - 5 mg. Therefore, it is used not for prevention, but for the treatment of deficiency.
Gendevit. Polevitamin in the form of a dragee. One contains 300 micrograms of folic acid.
Compliment Mom. Multivitamin complex. One capsule contains 400 mcg of the vitamin.

Contraindications

Folic acid during pregnancy is contraindicated in the following cases:

allergic reaction or individual intolerance to folic acid;
oncological diseases in close relatives;
vitamin B12 deficiency;
chronic pyelonephritis;
bronchial asthma.

Video about folic acid

Consequences of an overdose

An overdose of vitamin B9 during pregnancy is difficult to achieve, as it is a water-soluble substance. Its assimilation by the body occurs only in the right amount, and the excess is excreted through the kidneys.

However, the symptoms of a folic acid overdose are as follows:

causeless irritability;
disorders of the digestive system - nausea and vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, lack of appetite;
insomnia;
dysfunction of the kidneys.

An overdose of folic acid is said to occur if a daily dose of more than 15 mg enters the body.

Folic acid during pregnancy is a vitamin necessary to maintain the body of the expectant mother and the proper development of the fetus. B9 deficiency leads to irreversible consequences in the form of defects in the embryo. To prevent complications, it is advisable to start taking folic acid already at the stage of pregnancy planning and continue up to 12 weeks, and even better until childbirth and the end of breastfeeding.

Folic acid during pregnancy is necessary for both the expectant mother and the baby. And only she is assigned to every non-idle woman. All about the benefits of folic acid during pregnancy and at the planning stage - in this article.

Hello everyone, dear subscribers and readers of my blog. Svetlana Morozova is with you. Today I will tell you about the main, perhaps, vitamin for expectant mothers - folic acid. You will find out why women need it, how it affects the fetus and the body of the pregnant woman herself, what products it contains, and other useful facts. Go!

Friends! I, Svetlana Morozova, invite you to mega useful and interesting webinars! Host, Andrey Eroshkin. Health Recovery Expert, Certified Dietitian.
Topics for upcoming webinars:
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Folic acid during pregnancy: benefits for the baby

(aka vitamin B9) is needed for the work of many structures in the body: the formation of DNA in new cells, hematopoiesis, the synthesis of amino acids and hormones, the immune response, proper digestion, and the prevention of cancer. In the body, it is produced in an extremely small amount in the intestines, so we must consume vitamin B9 daily with food.

With the onset of pregnancy, folic acid becomes necessary more than 1.5 times. Already in the early stages, when the fact of pregnancy may not yet be established, this vitamin is actively involved in the construction of vital organs and systems of the fetus. Therefore, even when planning, both spouses are recommended to take vitamin B9.

What effect does folic acid have on the fetus?

Participates in the formation of the placenta and its blood supply;
Stimulates the formation of healthy nervous tissue, brain, spine, digestive and urinary organs of the crumbs;
Protects the fetus from external teratogenic (causing deformity) factors;
Prevents chromosomal abnormalities and developmental delay.

Until what time is the lack of folic acid most critical: the peak of importance is up to 12 weeks, then up to 16. But it is advisable to take it throughout pregnancy and after, during breastfeeding.

The intake of vitamin B9 in full greatly reduces the risk of such fetal defects as:

Hydrocephalus;
Anencephaly (underdeveloped brain);
Spina Bifida (protrusion of the spinal cord from the spine);
intrauterine hypoxia;
Pathology of the spine, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract;
malformations of the fetus;
Congenital hernia of the brain;
intrauterine growth retardation;
Frozen pregnancy (fetal death).

The influence of folic acid is felt not only by the baby, but also by the expectant mother herself. More on this later.

The value of folic acid for the health of a pregnant woman

Folic acid is one such vitamin that is sure to be prescribed to all pregnant women. I spoke about the indispensability for the intrauterine development of a healthy baby above, and what B9 is needed for the body of the pregnant woman herself:

Controls, prepares the body for the onset of pregnancy, and then helps to avoid miscarriage, missed pregnancy;
Protects a pregnant woman from anemia;
Prevents or significantly alleviates the symptoms of toxicosis;
Maintains the normal emotional state of the expectant mother, protects against anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, tearfulness,;
Provides complete nutrition of the brain, which helps to maintain efficiency and clarity of mind, avoid bad memory, absent-mindedness, lethargy and drowsiness.
Preserves the beauty of a pregnant woman: maintains the tone and elasticity of the skin and muscles, serves to protect hair from brittleness, loss and loss of color, prevents muscle pain and spasms (they like to take B9 in bodybuilding for this), helps to avoid stretch marks (stretch marks), and after childbirth is necessary for rapid weight loss and return to shape;
Strengthens the walls of blood vessels, reduces the load on the heart, helps to avoid varicose veins, thrombosis, pain in the legs and spasms of the calf muscles;
Participates in maintaining normal digestion of a pregnant woman, prevents constipation and nutrient absorption disorders;
Helps to avoid edema and kidney failure;
Provides a strong

If at normal times the need for vitamin B9 is about 200-400 mcg per day, then in pregnant women this figure increases to 600 mcg.

folic acid in food

The meaning of the name of the vitamin lies in the Latin "folium" - "leaf". And for good reason: the main source of folic acid is leafy vegetables and greens. There are also many folates in animal foods.

So, here is a list of products with B9:

Vegetable:
Vegetables: cabbage (all kinds), spinach, celery, lettuce, parsley, dill, cilantro, basil, turnip, pumpkin, carrot, corn;
Fruits: bananas, kiwi, avocado, melon, pomegranate, apricots;
Nuts, seeds;
Cereals, especially buckwheat;
beans;
Yeast;
Rye and buckwheat flour;
Cereals, bran, whole grain bread;
Mushrooms;
Animals:
Beef and pork meat;
Offal, especially liver;
Fish: salmon, cod, caviar, cod liver;
Eggs;
Milk and (cheese, cottage cheese, kefir).

Vitamin B9 is absorbed from food much better than from vitamin-mineral complexes. However, food sources of folic acid are very capricious and do not always convey the vitamin to us in full. So, with heat treatment in food, 50-90% of folates are destroyed, and when stored for more than 1 day (even in the refrigerator), foods lose about 70% of the vitamin. Or strong tea, drunk shortly after a meal, reduces the absorption of the vitamin and accelerates its excretion.

Therefore, all women who are expecting a baby are shown to drink preparations with folic acid.

What you need to know about taking folic acid

The standard dosage for expectant mothers is 400-500 mcg per day. How many tablets it is depends on the form of release and the composition of the complex. The price also depends on this - from 30 to 1000 rubles.

They may prescribe complex preparations, for example, Foliber, or folic acid separately. What is better and how to take - the doctor decides.

With diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, or if a woman has already had children with malformations, the dosage may be increased. But only after a full examination and under the careful supervision of physicians.

An overdose happens if you use increased doses of a vitamin for a long time.

What may be the subsequent manifestations of child:

Diabetes;
Obesity;
Asthma;
Allergy;
Disorders of the immune response.

And how might this affect mothers:

mental disorder;
Violation of social functions;
Increased risk of breast cancer.

What can be the side effects of this:

Redness and rashes on the skin;
Itching of the skin and mucous membranes;
Bronchial spasms and cough;
The appearance of spider veins throughout the body;
Fever.

With these signs, the drug is canceled - urgently see a doctor!

Perhaps that's what I told you all about the role folic acid plays during pregnancy.

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Women who take folic acid supplements increase their risk of breast cancer by 20-30%, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The researchers collected data on the consumption of this substance by women from multivitamins over a 10-year period. In the end, they found that women who took multivitamins containing this element were more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those who did not.

A previously published study found a 163% increased risk of prostate cancer in men taking folic acid supplements. A new meta-analysis of such supplements and risk of colorectal cancer found that those who took it for more than three years increased their risk of colorectal adenoma by 35%. In the United States, Canada, and most recently Chile, colorectal cancer rates have increased following the introduction of mandatory fortification of flour with this element.

Another new study found that folic acid supplementation by pregnant women increased the risk of childhood asthma by 26%, and another study linked folic acid supplementation during pregnancy to an increase in infant respiratory infections, especially those that result in hospitalization.

Last month in Norway, where flour is not fortified with this substance, researchers conducting a six-year study on the homocysteine-lowering effects of vitamins in patients with heart disease made a surprising finding: patients whose supplements included folic acid had a higher risk of cancer and death. From him. These patients were 43% more likely to die from cancer.

Most disturbing were the results of another study comparing women who took it during pregnancy with those who didn't. Thirty years later, women who received a hefty dose of the substance during pregnancy were twice as likely to die from breast cancer. Shocking, right?

If folic acid is so dangerous, why is it included in multivitamins, prenatal vitamins, and fortified grain products? Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a member of the B vitamin family involved in DNA synthesis and DNA methylation, which essentially turns genes on and off. Because of these significant functions, it is of great importance in the development of the fetus and the health of the nervous tissue, as well as the initiation and progression of cancer. In the past, much attention has been paid to the protective effect of folate against neural tube defects (NTDs).

Unfortunately, this knowledge and public attention has not led to a US government campaign encouraging women to get plenty of natural dietary folate from vegetables. Instead, pregnant women were pushed to take its synthetic replacement. However, it is chemically different from dietary folate, resulting in differences in absorption and processing of the two by cells in the intestinal wall. Some of the folic acid is chemically modified to be closer to natural folate, but the modifying abilities of the intestinal cells are limited. An excess of this element often enters the bloodstream unchanged.

Scientists do not yet know the effects of circulating synthetic folic acid. Many Americans, through the use of multivitamins and fortified foods, take excessive amounts of it and thus may be able to have it unmodified circulating in the blood, which may contribute to cancer-promoting effects.

The recommendation to pregnant women to take folic acid supplements is of particular concern - these women could safely increase their folic acid status and prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) by eating green vegetables, but instead they are instructed to take it, which puts them at risk of breast cancer. later in life.

Children are also at risk - women who supplement with it as a substitute for good nutrition are unable to provide their unborn children with additional nutrients in foods containing folate. Maternal nutrition is a critical determinant of child health, and there is an inverse relationship between maternal vegetable consumption and childhood cancer.

Unlike synthetic substitutes, folate from dietary sources, especially from green vegetables, appears to protect against breast and prostate cancer.

Ironically, in people who do not take such supplements, there is an inverse relationship between dietary folic acid intake and breast and prostate cancer. It is an essential nutrient with life-important functions. It is likely that its levels must be tightly regulated by the body, since its timing and doses are an important factor in determining whether it has a positive or negative effect. The effect of this substance on DNA may prevent the onset of cancer, but may also promote the proliferation of tumor cells that may already be present.

Fortunately, getting folic acid exclusively from food ensures that we don't get too much of it. It comes naturally balanced with other micronutrients and the body regulates absorption.

Rich sources of dietary folate

Spinach, raw 843
chicory endive 835
romaine lettuce 800
asparagus, cooked 750
mustard greens, raw 700
kale, raw 550
okra, cooked 520
Chinese cabbage, raw 500
broccoli, raw 375
colza, raw 340
artichokes, cooked 330
Brussels sprouts, cooked 300
broccoli, cooked 300
cauliflower, raw 300
red leaf lettuce 225
celery, raw 225
edamame 225
tomatoes, yellow 200
tomatoes, orange 180
chickpeas 150
red pepper, raw 150
peas, raw 100
common pumpkin 100
papaya 90
tomatoes, red 85
strawberry 75
oranges 70
blueberries 55
beets, cooked 50
avocado 50
sunflower seeds 40
quinoa, cooked 35

Obviously, we don't need synthetic supplements to meet our daily folate requirement.

For 2 months in 1961, hematologist Victor Herbert ate only boiled chicken and apple juice. He claimed that a deficiency of a vitamin called folate causes anemia, and he was right. His health deteriorated to such an extent that he was bedridden by malaise, and it was only after he began to eat vegetables that he recovered.

Thanks in part to Herbert's experiment, as well as other studies, scientists now know perfectly well that everyone needs vitamin B9, but pregnant women especially need it. Folate is found in fruits, dried beans, peas, and green vegetables such as spinach. The word "folate" comes from the Latin word "foliage", which means "leafy".

A form of molecular utility, folate is involved in the formation of red blood cells and also interacts with other vitamins to help the body use dietary protein. DNA cannot replicate without folate, so this vitamin is especially needed for fetal development. A lack of folate in a woman's body before and during pregnancy can cause abnormal development of the embryo.

To prevent such problems, many countries have laws that allow women to get free folic acid. This ingredient is often found in breakfast cereals, egg noodles, rice, bread, and other foods. These measures have significantly reduced the risk of developing neural tube defects in newborns.

Scientists believe that folate supplements may help fight a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's, heart disease, and cancer. However, too high doses of folate can trigger the development of cancer. Recently, a group of researchers proved that the body cannot transform synthetic folic acid into biologically useful molecules as efficiently as previously thought.

Folic acid, or synthetic folate, is used in fortified cereal products because it has a longer shelf life than regular folate.

Vitamin B9 is known mainly under the name folate or folic acid, and belongs to the group of vitamins B. If folates are found in natural plant foods, such as green leafy vegetables, peas, seeds, etc., then folic acid is called synthetic a form of folate found primarily in fortified foods such as morning cereals and dietary supplements. In this text, we will call them by the common name folic acid.

Folic acid is needed by the body:

To obtain offspring, normal development of the fetus and ensure the health of unborn children,
- for protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism,
- for the normal functioning of the nervous system,
- for the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which is important for the process of growth and reproduction of body cells,
- for the formation of red and white blood cells,
- for the proper functioning of the brain, which is important in terms of mental and emotional health,
- to reduce cholesterol in the blood and improve the efficiency of the liver.

During pregnancy and lactation, the need for folic acid increases to 500 mcg per day. If a pregnant woman does not get enough folic acid, then the fetus may develop palatal deformities, hernia, brain damage, babies may be born prematurely or have low birth weight, the child's development may be slow and learning ability is less. Since many pregnancies, especially during adolescence, are not planned, every woman of reproductive age should receive 400 micrograms of folic acid per day with food, because the foundations of the child's nervous system are laid already in the first weeks of fetal life, when a woman can also not know about your pregnancy.

The best sources of folate are the green parts of plants, legumes such as lentils, peas and beans.

60 g wheat germ,
- 75 g of beans,
- 150 g wheat bran,
- 265 g fresh asparagus cabbage,
- 350 g fresh cauliflower,
- 840 g strawberries.