Every woman needs folic acid daily
Who should take folic acid? This vitamin is essential for the health of women of all ages. It is critical to the development of new cells in the body, including blood cells, brain cells, and skin cells. Our Austin and Dripping Springs OBGYNs emphasize the importance of women of all ages taking this vitamin, especially those of childbearing age, because a baby’s development is dependent on the mother’s nutrients.
Folic acid vs. folate
What is the difference? The distinction is that folate is a form of the B9 vitamin that occurs naturally in food, while folic acid is the synthetic form found in supplements and foods fortified with the vitamin.
This vitamin is critical to women
Any woman capable of becoming pregnant should take daily folic acid supplements. This recommendation applies to women who do not intend to become pregnant because the most serious developmental complications occur in the first few weeks of a baby’s development, before a woman is aware she is pregnant. Starting a supplement when a woman learns she’s pregnant can be too late.
During pregnancy, the nutrient is critical to the development of the baby’s neural tube, which becomes the baby’s brain and spine. A lack of adequate folate can lead to severe congenital anomalies called neural tube defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly (missing parts of the brain or skull).
For women not of childbearing age, this nutrient supports cell development, as well as boosts brain and heart health.
Ways to incorporate B9 into your nutrition
There are three primary ways to add vitamin B9 to your diet.
It naturally occurs in foods, including dark, leafy green vegetables; dried beans and peas; and citrus fruit.
It is added to some foods, such as enriched breads, cereals, pasta and rice.
It is available as a supplement, multivitamin or prenatal vitamin.
Taking dietary supplements is recommended to ensure a woman gets the proper amount of vitamin B9. Even for women who eat healthy and purposely add foods high in folate to their diet, it is difficult to get the recommended amount from food. Additionally, the synthetic form of B9 is better absorbed by the body than the naturally occurring form.
The daily requirement for all women is 400 micrograms (mcg). Once a woman becomes pregnant, she should increase her intake to 600 micrograms a day, or 1,000 micrograms if she is expecting twins.
How much folic acid do you need? Our Austin and Dripping Springs OBGYNs can help you determine what you need and the best way to meet that need. Contact Hill Country OB/GYN Associates for an appointment.