As an expectant mother, I've heard about folic acid supplementation since I was pregnant, but I wasn't sure why I wanted to do it. So, I looked up some information on the Internet and found that folic acid is very important for fetal development, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin that is involved in many important biochemical reactions in the human body, such as DNA synthesis and repair, cell division and proliferation, blood circulation, and nervous system function. Folic acid is essential for anyone, but it is even more indispensable for pregnant women.

Folic acid is effective in preventing fetal neural tube defects (NTDs), a serious congenital malformation that causes incomplete development of the fetal spine, brain, or skull. NTDs usually occur in the third to fourth week of pregnancy, when many women do not know they are pregnant. Therefore, experts recommend that all women who are planning to become pregnant or may become pregnant, start taking 4.0 mg of folic acid daily at least one month before pregnancy and continue to take it until the third trimester of pregnancy.

In addition to preventing NTDs, folic acid has other benefits. For example, folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus, such as cleft lip and palate, congenital heart disease, urinary tract malformations, etc. Folic acid can also promote the growth of placental and fetal tissues, increase fetal weight and head circumference, and reduce the likelihood of preterm birth and low birth weight. Folic acid also has benefits for mothers, such as preventing anemia, depression, high blood pressure, etc.

Although folic acid can be obtained from foods such as green vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, animal liver, etc., it is difficult to ensure adequate daily intake of folic acid due to the erratic content of folic acid in foods and the fact that it is easily reduced by cooking and storage methods. Therefore, taking folic acid supplements is a simple and effective way to ensure that both mother and fetus get enough folic acid.

Of course, not all folic acid supplements are created equal. Some folic acid supplements contain synthetic folic acid, while others contain folate, an active form that occurs naturally in food. The two differ in absorption and utilization. Synthetic folic acid requires multiple steps in the liver to be converted into the active form of folic acid, and this process is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, and some people may not be able to do this conversion effectively. The natural active form of folic acid can be directly absorbed and utilized by the body without any transformation. Therefore, choosing a supplement that contains the active form of folic acid may be more suitable for some people.

In conclusion, folic acid is a very important nutrient for pregnant women and fetuses, it can prevent fetal neural tube defects and other birth defects, and promote the health of the fetus and mother. To ensure adequate daily intake of folic acid, taking a folic acid supplement is a convenient and effective method. Of course, when choosing folic acid supplements, you should also pay attention to distinguishing between different forms and brands and choosing the right product for you. I hope you found my article helpful and wish you and your baby good health and happiness!

Proofread by Zhuang Wu