What is Folic Acid?
The importance of folic acid during pregnancy
Folic acid, or folate, is one of the only nutrients that has been shown to lower the risk of neural tube birth defects (NTD’s). Folic acid can reduce certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord by more than 70 percent. If you are trying to conceive, the CDC suggests you start taking a folic acid supplement before you become pregnant. In fact they suggest all women of childbearing age take folic acid. These devestating birth defects develop in the first 4 weeks after conception. Most women do not even know they are pregnant until after 28 days and by then it may be too late. Researchers have confirmed that there are birth defects that do not respond to folic acid but may respond to Inositol, it is suggested you take a high quality prenatal vitamin that has an abundance of both nutrients. A folic acid supplement should not be a replacement for a proper diet rich in folic acid. Folic acid obtained from food sources, especially green vegetables like broccoli help protect against breast cancer, prostate cancer and childhood cancers. Folic acid is also beneficial in preventing heart disease, strokes,and some types of cancers.
What are the best food sources of folic acid?
- Raw spinach
- Romaine lettuce
- Avocado
- Cooked asparagus
- Collards
- Oranges
- Blackberries
- Sunflour seed
- Chicken liver
- Lentils
- Broccoli
- Papaya
- Enriched grains, cereal, pasta and rice
How much folic acid should I take while pregnant?
Before you start trying to conceive it is suggested that you take 400 mcg of folic acid. Your physician or midwive will up your dose to 600+ mcg once you become pregnant. If you have a history of birth defects your physician will prescribe a separate folic acid in the dosage of 4 mg/day from 1 month before conception through your first trimester. Eating a diet rich in folate and adding a high quality prenatal vitamin will ensure you get a sufficient amount of folic acid for you and your developing baby. Folic acid is a water soluable vitamin so if you consume too much your body will simply flush out what it does not need.
The Best Prenatal Vitamins
Based on expert and consumer reviews here are the Top 2 Prenatal Vitamins of 2010! Before you buy prenatal vitamins we suggest you consult with your physician. Next to your physician,PrenatalVitamins.net is your #1 source for the best prenatal vitamins.
Trimedisyn® is the #1 prenatal vitamin recommended by doctors, prenatal experts, and of course moms across the globe! Aside from the standard vitamins and nutrients we look for in prenatal vitamins, Trimedisyn also contains a powerful Probiotic Blend, Brain Boosting formula, clinically proven, patented ingredients and 23 essential pregnancy vitamins and nutrients. Trimedisyn contains a number of very effective and expensive ingredients in their clinically proven amounts. Trimedisyn did not cut any corners when they formulated the #1 Prenatal Vitamin, you and your baby will get nothing less than superioir health benefits from this high-end prenatal vitamin.
- 200 mg of CoQ10 per day lowers your risk of developing pre-eclampsia by 10%
- Probiotics reduce the risk of childhood eczema by 58% and the frequency of gestational diabetes by 20%
- Folic Acid reduces your risks of neural tube defects by 70% and Pre-eclampsia by 60%
- Choline affects children's lifelong learning and memory.
- DHA significantly improves visual, cognitive, and motor development in babies
- Vitamin D significantly reduces your risk of developing pre-eclampsia
- Ginger Root and Vitamin B6 alleviate severe nausea and vomiting
- Probiotics reduce the risk of childhood eczema by 58% and the frequency of gestational diabetes by 20%
- Folic Acid and Inositol protect against neural tube defects like Spina bifida and Anencephaly
- Choline affects children's lifelong learning and memory.
- DHA significantly improves visual, cognitive, and motor development in babies
- Iron reduces fatigue and prevents anemia, pre-term labor, and low birth weight babies
- Ginger Root and Vitamin B6 alleviate severe nausea and vomiting
- ChromeMate curbs cravings and regulates blood sugar
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