Folic acid is no stranger to people who are now trying to conceive or become pregnant, and it is a must for most women. Some time ago, there was a pregnant mother-to-be who came to the hospital in a panic and said that she saw a video on the Internet that a woman had miscarried because she had eaten folic acid. She was scared and asked for a test to see if the baby was healthy and at risk of miscarriage.
The mother-to-be, who is looking forward to the birth of her child, is currently in a nervous and distressing mood. I reassured her not to be nervous, folic acid is taken by almost every expectant mother with little to no risk. The woman who miscarried, her physical condition was not detailed on the Internet, could not be beaten to death with a stick, and was convinced that it was the fault of taking folic acid.
Although every mother-to-be will take folic acid according to popular science or medical advice, but most people do not have an accurate understanding of the function and side effects of folic acid, this article will take you to understand how folic acid should be used correctly.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" What is folic acid > data-track="59"? What does it do? </h1>
Folic acid is a member of the B vitamins, which are water-soluble vitamins that are involved in multiple processes of human metabolism.
First of all, folic acid can be reduced to tetrahydrofolate in the body, which is the raw material for the body to synthesize pyrimidine and purine. Pyrimidine and purine are also materials necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), which shows their status. Taking a certain amount of folic acid daily during the first trimester of pregnancy and the first trimester of pregnancy can effectively prevent fetal malformations.
Secondly, folic acid plays an important role in protein synthesis and cell growth, it can promote the maturation of young cells in the bones, promote the formation of red blood cells, and the lack of folic acid in the body will cause megaloblastic anemia or a decrease in white blood cells.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" Data-track="58" What diseases can >folate deficiency cause? </h1>
1. Neural tube malformations
Neural tube malformations are malformations caused by incomplete neural tube development and closure during embryonic development, including anencephaly, spina bifida, etc. Before the state advocated taking folic acid, infants with neural tube malformations caused a heavy burden on the family, and with the promotion of folic acid, the incidence was greatly reduced.
2. Cleft lip and palate and other congenital diseases
Cleft lip and palate are divided into separate cleft lip (i.e., familiar rabbit lip) or cleft palate (commonly known as wolf's throat), and cleft lip and palate, which is one of the most common congenital birth defect deformities. Folic acid administration over the years has proven that early maternal folic acid supplementation can reduce the chances of having a baby with cleft lip and palate.
The first three months of pregnancy are an important stage of fetal organ differentiation, cardiovascular, bone, kidney and other organ tissues are differentiated at this stage, supplementing enough folic acid, can also reduce the risk of fetal organ malformations, reduce the mortality rate of newborns.
3. Megaloblastic anemia
Megaloblastic anemia, anemia caused by DNA synthesis disorders, in the process of pregnancy, the mother itself is in a state of easy anemia, especially in labor or postpartum. Taking folic acid normally, which is well stocked in the body, is undoubtedly beneficial to the fetus and the mother.
4. Pregnancy reaction
Studies have shown that pregnancy reactions are reduced when taking folic acid, especially vomiting, breast swelling and pain. In addition, folic acid can not only alleviate the reaction of early pregnancy, but also replenish nutrients lost due to vomiting.
5. Eclampsia
Eclampsia is an unexplained convulsion in pregnant women, the most serious symptom of hypertension during pregnancy, and one of the causes of maternal and perinatal mortality. Taking folic acid can effectively reduce the risk of eclampsia in pregnant women.
6. Miscellaneous
In addition to being very important for babies and mothers, folic acid is also beneficial for many other diseases. There are reports that folic acid can make gray hair black, and it also has an effect on brain lesions such as Alzheimer's disease, which is abnormal in the nervous system.
In addition, folic acid also has a significant effect on the treatment of symptoms of tumors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal inflammation.
Needless to say, folic acid is very important for the human body, so does it mean that the more folic acid is replenished, the better?
The answer is no, folic acid can not be taken in excess, the daily dosage can be controlled at 400 micrograms, taking too much or improper can have serious side effects.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="57" what are the drawbacks of folic acid >, and what are the side effects? </h1>
1. Allergic reactions.
Each drug can cause allergic reactions in the human body, itching rashes, shortness of breath and chest tightness, etc. The constitution of the human body is different, and the symptoms caused by allergic reactions are not the same.
2. Gastrointestinal reactions.
Long-term use of folic acid in large doses may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing nausea and vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. It is recommended to take folic acid half an hour to an hour after meals.
3. The urine is yellow.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, taken in large doses of folic acid, more than the amount required by the human body, will be excreted with the urine, resulting in yellow urine.
4. Affects the absorption of zinc.
Folic acid may affect the absorption of trace elements zinc, leading to zinc deficiency, delaying fetal development in the womb, leading to the birth of low-weight infants.
5. Mask symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Excessive doses of folic acid may mask the initial symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause neurological abnormalities that ultimately lead to nerve damage. In addition, megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency cannot be treated with folic acid alone.
6. Kidney disease
Excessive consumption of folic acid will increase the burden on the kidneys, especially in patients with poor kidney function, folic acid crystals may appear in the kidneys.
7. Induced convulsions.
Excessive doses of folic acid in pregnant women may interfere with the therapeutic effect of anticonvulsants and induce seizures in people with the onset of the disease.
The side effects of folic acid should not be ignored, especially pregnant women should pay special attention when taking it, and once a serious condition occurs, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="45" how to eat folic acid >? </h1>
Folic acid is irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, generally recommended to take half an hour to an hour after meals, most of the regular folic acid on the market is sugar-coated tablets, will not have direct contact with the stomach, can avoid gastrointestinal irritation.
There are two types of folic acid, 0.4 mg and 5 mg. The uses of the two specifications are not the same.
0.4 mg of folic acid, generally from the preparation of pregnancy to the first three months of pregnancy, is used to prevent fetal neural tube malformations, once a day. 5 mg of folic acid for folate deficiency and its resulting megaloblastic anemia, the daily dosage is 15 to 30 mg until the number of red blood cells returns to normal.
Once again, expectant mothers, the daily intake of folic acid is 400 micrograms, which must not exceed 1 mg. If you are taking folic acid at the same time, but also take other foods containing folic acid, health care products, etc., pay attention to calculate whether the intake of folic acid exceeds the daily demand, it is best to consult a doctor in obstetrics and gynecology.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="61" > summarize the whole text, about the use of folic acid, pay attention to three points:</h1>
First, it should be taken in preparation for pregnancy and early pregnancy to reduce the occurrence of congenital malformations of the fetus and ensure the safety of pregnant women.
Second, the taking of folic acid, the daily dose of 400 ~ 800 micrograms, do not overdose.
Third, after taking folic acid in excess, once there are side effects, immediately seek medical attention.
Folic acid has made great contributions to the current maternal cause in China. Any drug and food is the same, do not be overly obsessed because of the benefits, pay attention to the appropriate dosage, is the best choice.