What is the best time to take folic acid

When taking folic acid, many people always pay attention to the time and arrangements of taking folic acid. Many people think that taking folic acid is actually unnecessary because it is just an element and it will not have any effect on the body after taking it. However, research has found that supplementing folic acid in the three months after pregnancy can not only maintain the normal health of the body, but also maintain the development of the fetus in the body.

When to take folic acid

Many women know that it is necessary to supplement folic acid during pregnancy, because taking folic acid can effectively prevent neural tube defects in babies and prevent birth defects such as cleft lip and anencephaly. But at the same time, many women don’t know when to take folic acid. Next we will explain it in detail.

Research by the International Nutrition Society found that women of childbearing age should supplement their bodies with folic acid starting three months before pregnancy. The emphasis on starting to take folic acid three months before pregnancy is to maintain the folic acid content in women's bodies at a certain level, so as to ensure that the embryo has a better folic acid nutritional status in the early stages of pregnancy.

The study also found that the three months after pregnancy is also a critical period for folic acid supplementation, and taking folic acid at this time is most effective. The three months after pregnancy are an important period for fetal growth and development. At this time, the human body's demand for nutrients is much greater than that of ordinary people. If the mother lacks folic acid at this time, the baby is likely to be born with birth defects, such as congenital heart disease, cleft lip, mental retardation and other problems.

In addition, if you ask specifically when is the best time to take folic acid every day, doctors recommend that expectant mothers take it half an hour after a meal. At this time, the digestive function of the stomach and intestines has been fully activated, and the human body's absorption of folic acid is more complete and effective. Moreover, taking folic acid after meals can prevent the irritation of the stomach and intestines caused by taking folic acid on an empty stomach, thereby preventing stomach discomfort.