How many months is appropriate to supplement folic acid?

Supplementing folic acid from 3 months before to 3 months after pregnancy can prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. This is common knowledge that almost every expectant mother knows. However, when it comes to actual implementation, it is not as simple as swallowing a pill. Many problems will arise, confusing expectant mothers.

Can dietary supplements replace folic acid tablets?

A: Some expectant mothers feel that taking pills is not as safe as food supplements, so if food supplements are possible, they would try not to take pills. Although green leafy vegetables, fruits, and animal livers contain a lot of folic acid, folic acid is relatively unstable. Food loses up to 50% to 90% during storage, processing, and cooking. Heating, in particular, causes the greatest damage to folic acid. Therefore, it is almost impossible to reach the daily standard of 0.4 mg required during pregnancy through dietary supplements.

Therefore, it is still necessary to take folic acid tablets. As long as they are taken according to the doctor's instructions, there will be no side effects and expectant mothers do not need to worry.

Will not taking folic acid tablets definitely lead to neural tube defects in the fetus?

A large number of studies at home and abroad have shown that regular folic acid supplementation can reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in newborns by 70%. However, this does not mean that not taking folic acid will definitely lead to neural tube defects, but the risk of occurrence will increase.

Expectant mothers should not be complacent and blindly believe that misfortune will not befall their babies. In order to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, folic acid should be supplemented on time and in the appropriate amount as much as possible.

I have been taking folic acid tablets for 3 months and I am still not pregnant. Can I continue to take it?

Supplementing 0.4 mg of folic acid daily is very safe and will not cause adverse reactions even if taken for a long time.

Supplementing folic acid from 3 months before pregnancy to 3 months after pregnancy is only the most basic requirement. According to the recommendations of the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents" of the Chinese Nutrition Society, folic acid supplementation should start at the latest 3 months before pregnancy, and it is best to continue until the end of the pregnancy.

Folic acid supplementation not only helps prevent fetal neural tube defects, but also helps reduce the risk of gestational hyperlipidemia. Therefore, if you have no intention of giving up pregnancy, you can continue to take folic acid tablets.

Expectant mothers should be reminded that there are two main types of folic acid tablets on the market. One is specially provided to expectant mothers and unexpectant mothers, and the other is mainly used to treat megaloblastic anemia caused by folic acid deficiency. The folic acid content of these two folic acid tablets is very different. When you go out to buy them, you must be careful when taking them.