Contents
- 1 How to take folic acid and its importance to be more fertile
- 1.1 FOLIC ACID, THE KEY VITAMIN FOR FERTILITY
- 1.2 Why to take folic acid in pregnancy?
- 1.3 What are the benefits of folic acid before pregnancy?
- 1.4 What is the best source of folic acid?
- 1.5 Is it appropriate to take folic acid supplements before pregnancy, or is it enough with food?
- 1.6 What folic acid supplement is recommended for pregnancy?
- 1.7 What type of folic acid is best for pregnancy?
- 1.8 How long before pregnancy do you have to take folic acid?
- 1.9 What can decrease folic acid levels?
How to take folic acid and its importance to be more fertile
FOLIC ACID, THE KEY VITAMIN FOR FERTILITY
Why to take folic acid in pregnancy?
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is an essential nutrient to improve fertility and to prepare pregnancy with greater guarantees of success.
For many specialists, it is considered that this is the most important vitamin in the preparation diet of a pregnancy, both for men and for women.
Green leafy vegetables are very rich in folic acid
What are the benefits of folic acid before pregnancy?
Folic acid has the following functions before pregnancy:
- Improves the quality of genetic material, both for men and women.
- Increase fertility
- It decreases homocysteine, whose high levels are a risk factor for pregnancy.
- During the first days after conception, the fetus requires adequate levels of this vitamin to multiply
How to get this important vitamin? Is the supplement adequate before pregnancy? What type of vitamin B9 supplement is best? All these doubts resolved below:
What is the best source of folic acid?
The best way to get folic acid is through foods rich in folic acid, as these foods are also rich in other essential nutrients during pregnancy, such as vitamin A (beta carotene), calcium, zinc, vitamin E and antioxidants.
For this reason, the first advice to be more fertile and ensure a good pregnancy is to increase the consumption of vegetables, legumes and fruits: lentils, chickpeas, spinach, carrots, mangoes, kiwis, broccoli, carrot cream, sautéed spinach, bean green, spinach tortilla, etc. (Diet rich in folic acid)
Undoubtedly, a diet with insufficient consumption of vegetables, fruits and legumes will most likely be insufficient in folate (folic acid), in addition to other health problems.
Is it appropriate to take folic acid supplements before pregnancy, or is it enough with food?
Although it is not mandatory, some experts recommend taking folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy. If the diet is adequate, folic acid supplements are not necessary before pregnancy, although they do not have any risk or contraindication.
These supplements can be taken to prepare the conception if the specialist deems it more convenient.
In contrast, taking supplements does not replace the advice that you should follow a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and legumes to improve health and seek a successful conception.
What folic acid supplement is recommended for pregnancy?
Folic acid supplements are non-toxic and can be taken with ease before and during pregnancy. If supplements are taken, the recommended daily dose is about 400 mcg of folic acid per day. Being a water-soluble vitamin, in case of excess, it can be easily eliminated in the urine without problems.
What type of folic acid is best for pregnancy?
In general, all supplements on the market that contain folic acid are valid. However, there are those who prefer to advise a special type of vitamin B9, called 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF or methylphenol) (see label).
It is an active form of vitamin B9, which is more effective in fighting against high levels of homocysteine. The biggest drawback is that its price is a little more expensive than the “normal” vitamin B9. For example, it would be especially advisable for ex-smokers, in case of kidney problems, and other special situations, but it can be taken by everyone.
In addition, when pregnancy has not yet occurred, it makes sense that man also take this supplement, as it can improve fertile quality.
Summary of the main properties of folic acid before pregnancy. It has benefits in both men and women. It is found in fruits, vegetables and legumes. Supplements can also be used but they do not replace folic acid intake trough food
How long before pregnancy do you have to take folic acid?
There is no stipulated time to take folic acid before pregnancy, since conception normally occurs spontaneously. Having good levels of this vitamin is enough, therefore supplements can be taken in a complementary way to the diet, every day, or every two or three days while you are looking for pregnancy.
What can decrease folic acid levels?
It must be borne in mind that the consumption of certain substances, such as tobacco or alcohol, decreases the reserves of folic acid in the body. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid the consumption of toxins during the preparation of pregnancy, both men and women. Woman, moreover, can not drink alcohol during pregnancy.
* Related information:
More information on vitamins.
| Vitamin B1(Thiamin) | Vitamin B2(Riboflavin) | Vitamin B3(Niacin) |
| Vitamin B5(Pantothenic acid) | Vitamin B6(Pyridoxine) | Vitamin B7(Biotin) |
| Vitamin B9(Folic acid) | Vitamin B12(Cobalamin) | Choline |
| Inositol | PABA | Lipoic acid |
More information about vitamins.
