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Treatment may include dietary changes and folic acid supplements. [1] Dietary changes including eating foods high in folate such as, fruits and green leafy vegetables can help. [1] Prevention is recommended for pregnant women or those who are planning a pregnancy. [1] Folate deficiency is very rare in countries with folic acid fortification ...
Alongside the misconception that folate is only needed for expectant mums, the research also showed that one in 10 think it is only important for adults, when in fact we should all eat folate ...
NTDs occur early in pregnancy (first month), therefore women must have abundant folate upon conception and for this reason there is a recommendation that any woman planning to become pregnant consume a folate-containing dietary supplement before and during pregnancy. [30]
Folic acid, which is the synthetic form of the vitamin folate, is critical both in pre- and peri-conception. [7] Deficiencies in folic acid may cause neural tube defects (NTDs). Women who had 0.4 mg of folic acid in their systems due to supplementing 3 months before childbirth significantly reduced the risk of NTDs. [29]
For example, many [citation needed] prescription prenatal vitamins will contain a more bioavailable form of folate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). Doses of folic acid over 1 mg are prescription only. The amount of non-prescription prenatal vitamins needed to achieve this dose may have too much vitamin A and lead to fetal toxicity. [2]
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges all women who are pregnant or trying to conceive to take folic acid supplements. This can prevent birth defects of the baby’s brain ...
Nutritionally, pregnant women require a caloric increase of 350 kcal/day and an increase in protein to 70 or 75 g/day. [citation needed] There is also an increased folate requirement from 0.4 to 0.8 mg/day (important in preventing neural tube defects). On average, a weight gain of 20 to 30 lb (9.1 to 13.6 kg) is experienced. [citation needed]
As folate is vital in the first trimester of pregnancy for healthy fetal development, the use of antifolates is strongly contraindicated in pregnancy and carries significant teratogenic risk. Low doses of methotrexate can deplete folate stores and cause side-effects that are similar to folate deficiency. Both high-folate diets and supplemental ...