Can I take folic acid even if I am not pregnant?

Everyone must be familiar with folic acid. Perhaps many men know less about it, but women are more exposed to it, especially those who have given birth. They all know the importance of folic acid. When a couple goes to the hospital for a pre-pregnancy check-up, the doctor will tell the woman to eat more folic acid, which is very helpful in promoting pregnancy. In addition, more folic acid should be supplemented after pregnancy, which can play a role in preserving the fetus. So can women who are not pregnant take folic acid?

Can I take folic acid even if I am not pregnant?

Generally, expectant mothers who are preparing for pregnancy will take folic acid, and folic acid has become a very common small requirement for preparing for pregnancy. Some expectant mothers may be lazy and don't want to take folic acid. But is it possible not to take folic acid during pregnancy? Many expectant mothers may overlook little pregnancy tips like this. Let’s learn about it today.

Is it OK not to take folic acid during pregnancy?

Pregnant women need four times more folic acid than normal people. The early pregnancy (1-3 months of pregnancy) is a critical period for the differentiation of fetal organ systems and the formation of the placenta, and cell growth and division are very active. At this time, folic acid deficiency can lead to fetal malformations and fetal neural tube defects, thereby increasing the incidence of anencephaly and spina bifida. It can also cause early spontaneous abortion. In the second and third trimesters, in addition to the growth and development of the fetus, the development of the mother's blood volume, breasts, and placenta greatly increases the pregnant woman's need for folic acid. If folic acid is insufficient, pregnant women are prone to placental abruption, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and megaloblastic anemia. The fetus is prone to intrauterine growth retardation, premature birth, and low birth weight, and the growth and intellectual development of the fetus after birth will be affected. Therefore, pregnant women should regularly supplement folic acid to prevent congenital malformations such as low birth weight, premature birth, and cleft palate (cleft lip).

What is folic acid

In fact, it is vitamin B9, a water-soluble vitamin. It is an important nutrient for pregnant women. The initial research should have been conducted in the United States. It was found that preventive folic acid supplementation for pregnant women can greatly reduce the neural tube defects of newborns, such as spina bifida, encephaly, and other serious neural tube defects. Its preventive effect can reduce the incidence of birth defects by about 75%. Therefore, it is now recognized by countries around the world. The country now recommends that pregnant women take folic acid supplements in the three months before pregnancy and the first three months of pregnancy.

Folic acid is actually a vitamin that helps prevent fetal malformations. It is best to take folic acid during pregnancy, because it ensures the healthy development of the fetus and has a better effect. Therefore, expectant mothers should not skip taking folic acid because they are lazy. It is still necessary for the health of the fetus.