What time of day to drink folic acid. Folic acid: rules of admission, dosage, risks of developing cancer. Why we lack folate

Even at the stage of planning pregnancy, a woman needs to think about taking missing vitamins and minerals, which play an important role in carrying a child. Folic acid is included in the list of mandatory components that the expectant mother should take not only during pregnancy, but also before it occurs. How much and how to take folic acid? Doctors recommend drinking 400 mcg per day, but it is worthwhile to understand this issue in more detail.

Vitamin B9 benefits

Folic acid (aka vitamin B9) is extremely beneficial for human health. It is with its help that new cells are produced in the body, the immune system is adjusted, the digestive function and the cardiovascular system return to normal. Vitamin B9 has a positive effect on the liver, amino acid synthesis, takes part in protein metabolism, normalizes blood pressure, and reduces the risk of stroke.

And folic acid:

stimulates appetite;
plays an important role in the synthesis of DNA and RNA;
helps the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach;
reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.

Pregnancy planning

Women who dream of replenishing the family should definitely consume folic acid. It is necessary to replenish the vitamin deficiency even when planning a pregnancy. How much? It is advisable to start taking folic acid 2-3 months before the expected date of conception.

Vitamin B9 cannot be stocked up for future use, so it is advisable to replenish its norm daily.

During pregnancy, the need for folic acid increases 2 times, since now this vitamin is needed both by the expectant mother and her baby. It is especially important to drink the required amount of vitamin in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the child's nervous system is developing intensively.

Lack of folate can lead to:

the development of congenital malformations in the fetus;
inability to bear the fetus;
detachment of the placenta;
cerebral hernia in the fetus and many other consequences.

To minimize or completely eliminate serious consequences, you should start taking folic acid as early as possible, even when planning a pregnancy. How much to drink, as well as the norms and dosages of the component, we will analyze further.

When planning a pregnancy, the first step is to normalize the amount of vitamin B9 in the body. The daily requirement is 0.4 mg, or 400 mcg. This norm is enough for the well-coordinated work of the whole organism of the expectant mother. At the same time, you do not need to worry if pregnancy comes unexpectedly, because folic acid is already entering the body. But when you hear about the "interesting situation", you should increase the dose to 800 mcg.

During the period of breastfeeding, one should not quit the use of folic acid, because its transmission still occurs to the baby, but only with breast milk.

Take folic acid in the morning with or after meals with plenty of water. Taking this drug is a prerequisite for all those planning to conceive a child.

Contraindications and warnings

Like any other drug, folic acid has contraindications. The presence of malignant tumors may mean that the intake of this component is prohibited. The fact is that vitamin B9 can stimulate the growth of tumor cells, which is undesirable for any person, especially for the expectant mother.

with a deficiency of cobalamin (vitamin B12),
hemosiderosis (excessive deposition of hemosiderin pigment in tissues),
hemochromatosis (violation of iron metabolism),
pernicious anemia (poor absorption of vitamin B12),
hypersensitivity to the drugs that make up the drug.

Talk to your doctor before taking any pills, including folic acid.

An overdose of this vitamin is rare.

If a woman has been taking high doses of folacin (vitamin B9) for a long time, this can lead to the following consequences:

impaired renal function,
zinc deficiency
rash,
metallic and bitter taste in the mouth,
change in mood.

Vitamin complexes and tablets

Nowadays, many vitamin complexes are offered, which include a large list of essential substances, including vitamin B9. This method of use is very convenient in that you do not need to drink each microelement separately, and then remember what you drank and how much.

For pregnant women, there are also vitamin complexes in which the necessary component rates are calculated.

The situation is slightly different when choosing individual folic acid tablets. Basically, tablets are packaged in 1 mg and 5 mg (5 mg is a therapeutic dose with a strong component deficiency). In order, for example, to obtain 0.4 mg of acid, the tablet should be divided approximately in half (excess use of 0.1 mg will not hurt). This method is not very convenient, therefore, nevertheless, vitamin B9 is often used in conjunction with multivitamin complexes.

Lack of vitamin B9 can be replenished with food. Even if you take folic acid tablets and at the same time eat dishes that have a high content of this microelement, then it certainly won't be worse.

Greens are in first place for the highest content of folic acid. Spinach, lettuce, parsley, onions - all these foods are not only tasty, but also very rich in vitamin B9. A real pantry of useful substances, and also a great addition to any meat or side dish. Of all the greens, spinach is worth highlighting.

100 g of spinach contains 263 mcg of folic acid, which is 65% of its daily norm for humans.

Meat products also do not lag behind in the content of such a useful substance as folacin. It is present at 240 mcg in 100 g of beef liver, 225 g in pig liver, and 110 g in cod liver. The liver itself is a valuable product. When planning pregnancy, you should eat at least 100 g of this healthy dish, because how well and fully the mother eats, so will her baby be strong and healthy.

Separately, it is worth noting asparagus, because it contains 262 g of folacin, and also copper, iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins A, B, C, E. Asparagus is the leader among all vegetables in terms of folic acid content. In addition, it is an excellent medicine for cystitis, prostatitis, and various kinds of infections.

Everyone knows that nuts are very nutritious and high in calories. But they also contain many useful substances, especially for the female body. The leader in vitamin B9 content is peanuts, in which there are 240 micrograms per 100 g, which is 60% of the daily value. Also, folic acid is found in walnuts - 77 mcg, hazelnuts - 68 mcg, pistachios - 51 mcg, cashews - 25 mcg.

Don't forget about the future dad

It is generally accepted that when planning a pregnancy, only one woman should eat right, take vitamins, lead a healthy lifestyle, etc. But after all, two people take part in conception, including the father of the family, and they forget about his health, and in vain. Taking folic acid will also help your dad.

The fact is that when folacin is used, the number of sperm with various defects (an error in the set of chromosomes, the absence of a head or tail) decreases. The quality of sperm improves, which means that the likelihood of conceiving a healthy child increases. If a man smokes, then when planning a pregnancy, it's time to quit this bad habit.

In addition to the fact that the future father destroys his own health, nicotine also prevents the absorption of folic acid. Then it turns out that all the efforts of the Pope are in vain.

The dosage of vitamin B9 for men is the same as for women - 400 mcg. But one should remember about possible contraindications and drug overdose. Folic acid should be started by a man a few months before conception, just like a woman.

Content

Gynecologists assure that taking folic acid when planning a pregnancy is extremely important for both spouses, because it improves the quality of germ cells and helps the fetus develop properly. It is important to take it even before and after conception, so knowing how to drink it is useful for every woman.

Does folic acid help you get pregnant?

Doctors say that folic acid before pregnancy, taken in the form of special medications or due to the products containing it, does not help pregnancy, because its purpose is different. It helps to improve the quality of the egg and sperm cells by stimulating the synthesis of the required nucleic amino acids. B9 promotes better assimilation of other nutrients, increases hematopoietic function, affects the formation of the fetus. In an "interesting position" it must be used so that the baby does not have:

defects and abnormalities of the brain;
epilepsy;
allergies.

Do men need folic acid when planning pregnancy

According to experts, not only women need folic acid before pregnancy. It is recommended for family planning and for men, because its benefit lies in the normal production of sperm, the quality of which is responsible for the onset of conception and the health of the future fetus. If a woman needs to use folacin during preparation and during gestation, then men can stop using it as soon as the couple learns of a positive test. The doctor prescribes the medicine.

What foods contain folacin

If you are concerned about how to take folic acid when planning a pregnancy, you do not need to seek medication. The following food products will help to fill its deficiency:

leafy greens: dill, sorrel, cilantro, spinach;
legumes;
citrus;
buckwheat and oats;
walnut, almond;
liver, offal.

For better absorption, it is recommended to consume plant-based vitamin products rich in folacin, without cooking. Sources of animal origin allow for minimal temperature exposure. The conditions are met to reduce the loss of folacin, which is destroyed by heat to a level of 90%. It is recommended to eat foods rich in substance every day, and you can eat sea fish, cheese, chicken eggs, which contain slightly less active substance than those listed, but are necessary in the diet.

How to drink folic acid when planning a pregnancy

At the stage of preparation for gestation, only the doctor determines how to drink folic acid correctly. The appointment will depend on chronic diseases, bad habits, test results. The standard dosage is to take the drugs in pill form a quarter before conception. A man is shown a dose of 40 milligrams per day, and a woman - twice as much. Excess or overdose of the substance is not terrible, because the water-soluble vitamin is excreted from the body without side effects.

If one of the parents or other relatives had brain pathologies, then the dosage for a woman during gestation will be 2 g per day, and if the first baby of a couple suffers from similar defects, then 4 g. It is better to use this substance after eating, because the active ingredients can negatively affect the gastric mucosa. The doctor will prescribe the time of use and the number of capsules taken by the expectant mother for weeks.

Vitamins with folic acid when planning pregnancy

You might be wondering how to take folic acid when planning a pregnancy. For convenience, it is better to consider the following data on popular medicines:

Tablets of the same name. They have the most affordable price and are very popular. The quality is appreciated by many gynecologists: doctors prescribe the drug to mothers in the amount of 1 tablet (1 mg each) per day.
Folacin, Apo-folic. Prescribed for a serious lack of folacin in a pregnant woman, because each dose contains 5 mg of the active substance. This drug is prescribed only by a specialist and is considered curative, while others are prophylactic.
Folio. In addition to 0.4 g of vitamin B9, it contains 0.2 g of iodine. For the female body, it is recommended to use 2 tablets, and for men - 1 daily.
Multivitamin complexes Materna, Elevit Prenatal, Vitrum Prenatal, Pregnavit, Multitabs Perinatal. All of them, in addition to B9, which is needed at the stage of preparation for conception, contain other useful ingredients.

Unfortunately, for the vast majority of people, a substance such as folic acid is associated with pregnancy. Mostly women remember her and only when they have already entered this crucial period of their lives.

This approach completely negates the enormous potential of folic acid in shaping the health of the unborn child. Although it would be worth paying special attention to the appropriateness and method of its application, which will help to significantly improve the quality of health of future generations.

What is folic acid?

Still in 1926 it became known that the use of food from the liver contributes to the treatment of megaloblastic anemia in pregnant women. AND in 1941 managed to identify the substance that caused this effect.

Due to the fact that this substance was discovered and isolated from spinach leaves, it received the name folic acid (from the Latin word folium - leaf).

This name has become the most used, despite the fact that folic acid is also vitamin B9, pteroylglutamic acid, folamine and a number of other equally complex terms.

Folic acid belongs to the group of B vitamins. She takes part in the exchange of amino acidswhich are responsible for protein synthesis in the body, without it, the formation of DNA and RNA is disrupted, mucous membrane of the digestive system, bone marrow function is inhibited (hematopoietic system of the body).

These are just the most rapid processes in the body, which also include the development of the embryo. The spectrum of functions of folic acid is extremely diverse and constantly expanding.

Hypovitaminosis is the most dangerous and common among young children and women expecting a baby.

There are many factors that cause inadequate intake, malabsorption or increased intake of folate. They are relevant not only for these groups of people. These include:

taking certain medications (anticonvulsants, contraceptives, methotrexate, sulfonamides);
poor diet, in which there are few foods containing folic acid;
diseases of the digestive system (in particular of the small intestine), infectious and oncological diseases;
regular abuse of alcohol, strong tea;
increased need for folic acid during pregnancy and lactation.

Vitamin B9 deficiency dangerous by a number of pathological conditions.

Pregnant women have an increased risk of toxicosis, depression, spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, stillbirth, serious congenital malformations of the fetus, often incompatible with life (impaired development of the central nervous system of the fetus, namely the brain and spinal cord) or provoking mental retardation and disability ...

Older children and adults develop macrocytic anemia, neuritis, memory impairment, insufficient body weight, impaired physiological processes in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. In addition, the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis and related diseases (angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke, heart failure), thromboembolism increases.

Excess folate in the body is difficult to achieve. Even a multiple excess of the daily dose passes without any consequences.

As with any other vitamin, allergic reactions are possible.

With prolonged use of high doses of the drug, it is possible to reduce the level of cyanocobalamin with the subsequent development of anemia, indigestion, increased excitability of the nervous system, which in the worst case manifests itself in the form of convulsive syndrome.

Instructions for use

Indications for use

Taking folic acid is indicated for a presumed and obvious vitamin deficiency, which is possible in case of malnutrition, alcohol dependence, removal of the stomach and various diseases of the digestive system (including the liver), prolonged hemodialysis.

Especially shown is the intake of folic acid during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of drugs (some anticonvulsants, painkillers, sulfonamide, as well as contraceptives, methotrexate, erythropoietin).

Folic acid deficiency is manifested by anemia (both folate-dependent and of other origin), glossitis.

Contraindications for use

There are much fewer contraindications, and these include hypersensitivity to vitamin and anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, since it masks its neurological manifestations.

Side effects are also few: erythema, rashes and itching of the skin, general weakness, fever, bronchospasm.

Dosage and duration of taking the drug during pregnancy

For pregnant women who have not previously experienced complications of pregnancy associated with a deficiency of folic acid, it is recommended 400 mcg of vitamin per day.

In the case of a burdened anamnesis in terms of folate-dependent fetal malformations, the dose is increased up to 800 - 4000 mcg per day (0.8 - 4 mg). The same doses are prescribed when taking folic acid antagonist drugs.

During breastfeeding, take 300 mcg of vitamin per day.

Since the central nervous system of the fetus is formed in the period up to 16 - 28 days after conception, folic acid should be taken even at the planning stage of conception (at least 3 months before it) and continue to be taken throughout pregnancy and lactation. This reduces the risk of developing neural tube defects by 70%.

Features of the use of the drug and analogs of folic acid

Multivitamin preparations contain a sufficient amount (0.8 mg) of vitamin B9, therefore there is no need for parallel use of a monopreparation.

500 - 600 mcg vitamin enters the body with food, but 50 - 90% is destroyed by the cooking process. Especially a lot of folic acid in fruits and vegetables of rich green color, liver, eggs, legumes, nuts, cereals, dairy products.

Folic acid is also synthesized by the intestinal microflora. After entering the body, it is quickly transported to all tissues, and it can also accumulate in the liver and cerebrospinal fluid. Normal vitamin content in blood plasma is 6 - 25 ng / l, in erythrocytes - more than 100 ng / l.

Folic acid is able to interact with many medications that requires mandatory consultation with a doctor and individual prescription of doses, frequency of admission and duration of treatment.

The underestimation of folate is obvious. But with an increase in the priority of a healthy lifestyle in the system of human values, it will take its rightful niche and will be able to fully demonstrate its wonderful abilities.

About folic acid. The program "Life is great!"

Vitamin B9 (folic acid) belongs to the group of water-soluble vitamins. For its beneficial properties, it was given several "popular" names - "female vitamin", "vitamin from leaves". It was isolated from spinach leaves (leaf in Latin - "folicum") by the English scientist N. Mitchell. It is partially synthesized by the intestinal microflora, the bulk of it enters the body with food.

All doctors and scientists recognize that it is vitamin B9 that is the "foundation" of the human body.

The effect of vitamin B9 (folic acid) on the body

The action of vitamin B9 is to regulate the development of new cells, chemical processes and enzyme activity. Folic acid is a participant in the synthesis of blood cells, in particular erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, the synthesis of amino acids and RNA. This is important for the formation of the fetus and the prevention of fetal defects and premature birth. The required dosage of folic acid normalizes the metabolism and the digestive process.

It is worth remembering that vitamin B9 has the most beneficial effect only in conjunction with vitamin B12, the absence of one of them sharply limits the property and effect of the other.

With age, the functioning of the digestive tract begins to become difficult, the body is no longer able to fully block poisons and toxins that enter with food and from the environment, protein assimilation becomes difficult. To eliminate these problems in the state of vitamin B9, its lack can aggravate the situation.

When exposed to folic acid, serotonin is released - the "hormone of joy". Its lack can lead to depressive conditions, stresses that today affect young people and the working-age population. Therefore, folic acid was given another nickname - "the vitamin of good mood."

In addition to the above, immune processes, regeneration of the skin and internal tissues, and hair growth fall within its sphere of influence. So to the attention of both women and men: a lack of folic acid necessarily leads to premature hair loss and baldness. Here the result of a bad attitude towards your body will be evident!

What prevents folic acid from being absorbed?

It is not quite easy to obtain folic acid, we lose part of it during the digestion of food, part of it we destroy by taking alcohol, drugs, smoking. The ability to assimilate is significantly reduced with impaired liver function.

As we already know, vitamin B9 can be independently produced in the intestines, but which of the inhabitants of big cities today can boast of a healthy stomach? You will have to additionally consume fermented milk products, live yoghurts, complexes with bifidobacteria - they will not harm!

Heat treatment destroys the vitamin very quickly, so when cooking, try to cover the pan with a lid and not overcook. In addition, folic acid is degraded by sunlight at room temperature.

Cheese and meat contain a certain substance - methionine, which promotes the consumption of folic acid in an unnecessary direction. It is for this reason, as well as due to plant-based nutrition, that vegetarians do not know problems with a lack of nutrients.

Alcohol is a terrible enemy of vitamin B6, but bifidobacteria, on the contrary, catalyze their own production. You just need to replace alcoholic cocktails with biokefir and your mood will rise, because the level of "good mood vitamin" will increase. But there will be no hangover. It's a shame, isn't it?

Vitamin B9 should be taken in a balanced complex with B12 and ascorbic acid. large doses of one can neutralize the effect of others.

Folic acid can also be neutralized by many drugs: aspirin, nitrofuran drugs, antiepileptic drugs (large doses of B9 can have the same effect on them), anti-tuberculosis therapy.

Daily rate

The daily intake of vitamin B9 is purely individual and depends on the circumstances. The optimal dosages for an adult are in the range of 200 mcg - minimum and 500 mcg - maximum per day, but the main condition is regularity. The minimum dose guarantees a healthy lifestyle. However, with an increase in mental and physical stress, stress or illness, you must take care of increasing the dosage. During pregnancy and during feeding of newborn children, as well as with age, the dosage should increase significantly, and the rate will be determined by consultation with a doctor.

By the way, not only a woman should take care of the health of the unborn child. During the planning period of pregnancy, a man will absolutely not be prevented from taking additional vitamin B9.

For children, the norms depend on age:

0-12 months - 50 mcg;
1-3 years - 70 mcg;
4-6 years old - 100 mcg;
6-10 years old - 150 mcg;
From 11 years and more - you can give an adult dose of 200 mcg.

Sources of vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Products containing the maximum amount of the nutrient indicated above are easy to determine - they are all dark green, since time nothing new has been discovered in this regard. They should be consumed every day to improve health, including mental health, as well as to increase endurance.

The list is quite extensive, so it will not be difficult to compose the "correct" menu. Let's start in order:

An interesting fact - in the village milk contains a lot of vitamin B9, but in the store pasteurized and sterilized - not a gram.

Lack of vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Lack of vitamin B9 can cause serious damage to all functions of the human body. First of all, it will affect the growth of cells, which in turn will cause the growth of cancer cells, mental retardation in children, disrupt the central nervous system and hematopoiesis processes.

Signs of a lack of folic acid in the body: depressed restlessness, a feeling of fear, problems with memory, digestion, anemia, "red tongue" - stomatitis in the mouth, early gray hair, problems during pregnancy.Human activity is significantly reduced. Aggression or irritability is manifested, which can later develop into mania and paranoia. It is necessary to recognize these symptoms, otherwise folic acid deficiency will lead to more serious complications such as nervous disorders, early menopause or puberty problems in girls, atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.

Folic acid prevents the occurrence of skin diseases and hair problems, and therefore you understand what a deficiency can lead to!

Vitamin B9 is quickly consumed by people with active lifestyles and beach lovers under the sun. They are advised to take additional doses of folic acid in order to avoid a significant lack of it in the body.

Excess vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Hypervitaminosis is extremely rare, it is unrealistic to get such an amount from products, therefore it is possible only when taking pharmacological forms of folic acid for several months. This leads to overexcitation, sleep disturbances, and bowel disorders.

An excess of folic acid in pregnant women can manifest itself in a newborn in the form of asthma.

Indications for appointment

Indications for the appointment of vitamin B9 can be considered:

Content in pharmaceuticals

Folic acid is produced as a separate preparation, sometimes in a complex of all vitamins of group B. It can be an integral part of multivitamin preparations, where a balanced complex is assembled.

Synthetic forms of folic acid are almost 2 times more active than natural ones. 600 mcg tablets equate to 1000 mcg of a substance from food.

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Many mothers do not know why folic acid is needed when planning pregnancy, and therefore they do not take this vitamin at such a crucial period of development in their body of a new life. In fact, this is a huge mistake, because with a lack of folic acid, it is possible to disrupt not only conception, but also the further correct development of the unborn baby.

The benefits of folic acid

Folic acid is considered to be one of the most important components for a good bearing of a baby. What is folic acid for when planning a pregnancy? , and also what dosage is most suitable for women, let's sort it out together.

Important! To ensure optimal conditions for planning pregnancy, you need to drink folic acid not only for women, but also for men. This is especially true for those families who want to become parents after thirty years.

Drinking folic acid when planning pregnancy is necessary due to the following properties of this component:

Effective and fast strengthening of the body's immune system.
Protecting a woman from all kinds of food poisoning.
Help in the correct process of cell division.
Normalization of the protein assimilation process.
Important in the formation of DNA, which in turn is responsible for the transmission of all hereditary relationships and diseases as well.
Improving the appetite of expectant parents.
Effective prevention of atherosclerosis.
Improving the process of hematopoiesis.
Improving the functions of the digestive tract (reducing the likelihood of constipation, diarrhea, bloating and other signs that often bother expectant mothers).
Normalization of the assimilation of other vitamins that are needed for a favorable bearing of a child.

In addition, it has been proven that taking this component when planning pregnancy helps to avoid the development of a number of pathologies in an infant, namely:

Protection from all kinds of brain pathologies, underdevelopment and miscarriage. It has been proven that those women who took folic acid were less likely to give birth to children with mental retardation, Down syndrome and problems with the central nervous system.
Protection against intrauterine pregnancy fading and all kinds of defects in the development of the child's nervous system.
Help in nourishing the cells of the embryo, so that the fetus develops stably, without deviations
Prevention of mutations in genes that can lead to oncological pathologies.
Reducing the likelihood of developing such pathologies as a cleft palate or cleft lip in a child, which, in turn, in the future can bring the child a huge amount of trouble and need for surgical interventions.

In the event that future parents do not drink folic acid, then the risk of the following problems increases:

Anemia in a woman, which can lead to hypoxia in the fetus (it will simply suffocate).
The appearance of congenital pathologies in the fetus, such as mental retardation, disruptions in the central nervous system, etc.
Fading pregnancy and miscarriage. At the same time, this can happen in any trimester of pregnancy, regardless of the primary clinical indicators of the success of the process of bearing a child.
Detachment of the placenta.
Loss of appetite in a woman, which will directly affect the development of the fetus - the child will not receive all the nutrients and vitamins necessary from the diet.
Increased nervousness and irritability in a woman, because of which a child can be born capricious and restless.
Reducing the likelihood of normal conception (even if fertilization occurs, there is no guarantee for the development of a full-fledged healthy baby).

Products with vitamin B9

In the event that both future parents are healthy and do not suffer from any chronic pathologies, they may not be prescribed folic acid in the form of drugs. To saturate the body with this substance, it will be enough to enrich your diet with foods containing vitamin B9.

Most of all vitamin B9 is found in the following foods:

Nuts, especially almonds and walnuts. You can eat them both separately and in addition to other dishes (cereals).
Liver, kidney, lean chicken and turkey.
Fish. Most of all vitamin B9 is found in fresh sea fish. It is better to steam it, bake it or boil it.
Porridge. Folic acid is found in large quantities in oatmeal, buckwheat, and rice porridge. To quickly increase the level of this vitamin in the body, it is recommended to use them at least five times a week.
Greens (dill, spinach, parsley, lettuce). The greens themselves can be used both as seasonings for main dishes, and eaten separately, in the form of fresh vegetable salads seasoned with olive oil.
Legumes. Fresh peas and beans are especially beneficial for expectant mothers.
Fruits (watermelon, peach, lemon, orange, pineapple). Fresh juices from these fruits are also rich in vitamin B9.
Fermented milk products (low-fat kefir, cottage cheese, cream, cheese).
Eggs. It is best to eat them boiled, because this is how they retain the greatest amount of nutrients.
Vegetables (pumpkin, eggplant, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, onions). These vegetables can be used to make casseroles, mashed soups, stews and other dishes. As for carrots, it is advisable to eat them raw (in addition to salads).

Important! You should know that with increased heat treatment, folic acid partially loses its beneficial properties. That is why it is better to eat more foods with its content in the raw form (greens) or cook such food with steam (fish, meat).

To really enrich your body with this vitamin, you should eat a balanced diet and minimize the use of junk food, namely:

Alcoholic drinks.
Sweet carbonated drinks.
Fast food and convenience foods.
Sausages and fatty cheeses.
Chips and croutons.
Sweet candies, fatty creams, pastries and cakes.
Salty fish.
Canned food and canned vegetables.

Foods rich in folic acid should be taken at least four times a day. In this case, the portions should not be large. So a woman will avoid overeating, and at the same time, she will saturate her body with all useful substances.

Preparations with vitamin B9

Very often, even with a full diet, the body of an adult does not have enough folic acid. To create normal conditions for conceiving a child, future parents can be prescribed a number of drugs with such a vitamin. The most effective and safe means of this direction are:

Folic acid preparation. Such a remedy is considered the most affordable and popular when planning a pregnancy. It has a low cost, and at the same time, quite good quality. The dose of folic acid in one such tablet is 1 mg, so it will be enough for a woman to take 1 tablet a day.
Folacin tablets. The dosage of folic acid in them is 5 mg. Parents-to-be can only prescribe such a remedy if they have an acute lack of vitamin B9. It is impossible to take Folacin on your own without a doctor's recommendation, since this drug is considered more curative than preventive.
Folio preparation. It contains not only vitamin B9, but also iodine, so it will be doubly useful for future parents. Also, the advantage of such a tool is that it is available in different dosages, making it convenient for both women and men to take it.

Combined multivitamin preparations. It can be Elevit, Vitrum or Prenatal Forte. You need to take these funds strictly according to the instructions, since they are available in different dosages. The duration of such therapy should also be determined by the doctor on an individual basis.

Many parents wonder how much folic acid should be drunk before pregnancy and how it is best to take it - alone or in combination with other drugs. At the same time, it must be said right away that the observing specialist should decide the peculiarities of taking vitamin B9, depending on the specific condition of people who want to become parents.

How to take folic acid when planning a baby

Taking this vitamin requires adherence to the following recommendations:

The regularity, dosage, as well as the specific form of the drug must be agreed with the doctor, because sometimes it happens that a woman does not have enough vitamin B9 in a man. In this case, the doctor must correctly combine the dosage of the vitamin for future parents.
With long-term intake of this vitamin, it is imperative to monitor the level of vitamin B12 in the blood.
The daily norm of this vitamin for future parents is 400 mcg, however, when buying different drugs, this dosage may be different for them. This must be taken into account so that the body receives a sufficient amount of the vitamin, but at the same time, there is no overdose.
If a woman has already given birth to children with pathologies, then the dosage of this vitamin should be doubled.
With an increase in dosage, the use of hormonal contraceptives should be canceled.
Due to the fact that a woman needs more folic acid, the dosage of this substance for her may be higher than for a man. In any case, the individual demand of the organism of future parents for such a vitamin is determined by blood tests, which must be taken even during the planning period of pregnancy.

How much to drink

The dosage for taking such a vitamin is determined according to individual calculations for each person separately. Initially, expectant parents are assigned a series of tests to accurately determine the level of vitamin B9 in the body. Based on the research results obtained, the specialist will select the required dosage of drugs.

The doctor needs to carefully select the dosage of this vitamin in the following conditions of patients:

The presence of severe chronic diseases of the liver, intestines, kidneys or heart.
Diseases of the circulatory system and blood vessels.
Hormonal disruptions in the body caused by various factors.
Individual intolerance to foods containing vitamin B9.
Concomitant treatment with antibiotics or hormonal drugs.
Cases when the first pregnancy ended in fetal development fading, miscarriage or childbirth with obvious pathologies associated with an acute lack of folic acid.
Depressive state of a woman.

In addition, the doctor must take into account the specific period of pregnancy: is this process still only at the planning stage or conception has already taken place and the woman is carrying a fetus. In both of these cases, the dosage of the vitamin should be different. Thus, when planning pregnancy, the daily dose should be no more than 400 mcg, and after conception - up to 800 mcg.

It is best to take folic acid in the form of medications and vitamin complexes after meals, since this is the best way to absorb the vitamin. Drinking such drugs on an empty stomach is prohibited.

It should be noted that already in the first weeks of pregnancy, the foundations of the future organs and systems of the child are laid, therefore, vitamin B9 should be taken from the first days of gestation.

Moreover, if even before the moment of conception and in the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman and a man did not take vitamin complexes, then the likelihood of an incorrect formation of the nervous system in the fetus increases significantly. In order to prevent this, in addition to folic acid, it is also important to take additional vitamins, which the supervising doctor will definitely prescribe.

As the observations of doctors show, if a woman's body has enough vitamin B9, then a healthy placenta is formed, which significantly increases the favorable conditions for the growth and development of the fetus.

Indications and contraindications for admission

In addition to the planning period for pregnancy, taking vitamin B9 is indicated in the following cases:

The development of anemia, which was associated with the influence of various factors and causes.
Chronic disorders of the digestive system, including constipation, flatulence and diarrhea.
The period of breastfeeding a child, especially if a woman after childbirth has all kinds of gynecological problems, as well as not enough milk.
Radiation exposure of a person at different stages.
Diseases that were triggered by a sharp decrease in the patient's immune system.
Acute lack of such a substance.

At the same time, it should be understood that this substance is not generally approved for admission, so you need to drink it strictly according to indications.

Refuse to use drugs with folic acid should be in such cases:

Individual intolerance to vitamin B9 by the body, when it provokes side effects and all kinds of allergic reactions in a person.
The period of acute diseases of the digestive, nervous, respiratory, vegetative and other systems of the body, which require the use of antibiotics, pain relievers or hormonal drugs.

When to start taking a vitamin

Due to the fact that folic acid is not able to accumulate in the body, it is very important to choose the right time to start taking it. Thus, the attending physician must accurately determine the optimal period for conceiving a child and prescribe vitamin B9 three months before that moment.

If future parents begin to take such a substance already during pregnancy, then the effect from it will not be as great as it would be if the time of administration was correctly calculated. It is for this reason that you need to enrich your body with folic acid strictly after the appointment of an observing specialist.

What not to do

In order not to provoke unwanted reactions and side effects, taking folic acid should not be combined with the following groups of drugs:

Antibacterial drugs of any group.
Cytostatics.
Anticonvulsants.
Analgesics.
Hormonal medications.

Important! With long-term intake of this vitamin, the observing doctor must follow the patient's condition. When the first deterioration in health appears, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is unacceptable to self-medicate.

In the event that a woman gets sick when taking this vitamin, then before taking antibiotics, analgesics and other types of drugs, she must definitely inform the doctor about it. If necessary, the specialist will reduce the dosage of the vitamin or prescribe approved medications that can be combined with folic acid.

What affects the absorption of vitamin B9

It often happens that future parents took folic acid before conception, as well as during pregnancy, but subsequently, the child still exhibits CNS pathologies that are directly related to a lack of vitamin B9. This happens not because they took the wrong dosage, but due to the lack of auxiliary measures for the absorption of the vitamin.

Much less folic acid is absorbed if a person often drinks alcohol, smokes, is overworked, and is also depressed.

The intake of potent hormonal and other types of drugs greatly affects the poor absorption of this component. That is why, before planning a pregnancy and starting to take vitamins, a person needs to normalize his psycho-emotional state, give up bad habits and treat chronic diseases.

Is there a risk of overdose

A distinctive feature of vitamin B9, in contrast to vitamin e and other microelements, is that with an excess, it begins to be actively excreted from the body, so the likelihood of an overdose is very small. Moreover, even if a person accidentally takes a large dose of folic acid, the side effects from this will not be dangerous to health.

Despite this, the good tolerance of vitamin B9 does not at all mean that it can be taken uncontrollably, because then instead of the expected benefits for pregnancy, only harm will be delivered to her.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the intake of folic acid as part of combined vitamin preparations. In this case, future parents should follow the exact instructions and dosage.

Otherwise, additional components of the product can provoke indigestion, poisoning and other unpleasant consequences.

Benefits for men

When planning pregnancy, men need folic acid due to its following properties in relation to the body of the future dad:

Increased sperm motility and penetration capacity.
A significant increase in the likelihood of conceiving a strong, healthy child.
Reducing the risk of further pathologies in the fetus.
Reducing the number of low-quality spermatozoa that can disrupt the DNA structure and express themselves in pathologies in a child.
Reducing the likelihood of passing genetic diseases from father to child.