FOLIC ACID

 

So you are thinking of trying for a baby, the most important vitamin to take 3 months before you get pregnant. And 3 months after you conceive.

 

WHAT IS FOLIC ACID

Vitamin

Folic acid is a B group vitamin. As pregnancy   is a time of rapid growth and division of cells. A good supply of folic acid are vital. In fact folic acid is the only vitamin you will need twice as much of during your pregnancy than any other time. Taking folic acid supplement can reduce these risks by over 70 per cent. Other defects which has been linked with lack of folic acid include the following cleft palate, hare lip, and abnormalities of the limbs, heart,lungs,skeleton. Folic acid also helps reduce the risk of spina bifida . This is a type of condition  known as neural tube defect  or (ntd) Neural tube defect occur when the baby's spine doesn't develop properly. To reduce this risk it is important to increase your folic acid Intake at the time when your babies spine is developing. To do this health professionals recommend the daily intake to be 400microgrames. But if you are a lady who suffers from epilepsy then you will need a higher intake of folic acid and is recommend to be 5 mailgrams. The 5 mg tablets can only be obtained from the doctors. You can also find folic acid in dark green leafy vegetables e.g. Spinach,broccoli, and Brussels,okra,green beans and cauliflower. Choose foods that are fortified with folic acid e.g. Breakfast cereals, some breads,milk drinks have folic acid in it check the nutrition labels first. Please contact your health professional for more advice and information on folic acid.