Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is an essential nutrient for women who want to become pregnant or already are pregnant. It plays a crucial role in cell division and growth.
Sufficient intake reduces the risk of neural tube defects and other birth complications. The recommended daily dose is 400 micrograms. Find out more about the importance of folic acid and why it is so important during pregnancy below.
How much folic acid is necessary if you wish to conceive?
Planning for a healthy pregnancy usually begins great before actual fertilization. Dietary supplements containing 400 micrograms of folic acid per pill are ideal.
Women who want to have children take precautions with this vitamin right from the start. But there are many other health reasons why people should pay attention to folic acid content.
What is folic acid?
Folic acid or vitamin B9 is an important nutrient present in many foods. It is an essential component for DNA replication and cell division. It is therefore involved in all important processes in the body such as blood formation.
If our body does not receive enough folic acid, health problems are possible. This nutrient is important not only when you want to have children. If you want to focus on a healthy diet, it always plays a role.
Folic acid also increases fertility. So, for example, if you are having fertility treatment, you should take them daily to ensure successful conception. Neural tube defects can usually be avoided in this way.
With this B vitamin you strengthen both the egg during ovulation and the sperm. Such nutrients are also recommended for men who want to have children. In this way you prepare together as a couple.
It's best to discuss taking it with your gynecologist or local doctor in advance.
Importance of folic acid for the desire to have children
Folic acid plays a crucial role in bending forward or preventing birth defects – particularly neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida.
These are certain birth defects in which malformations occur in the child's brain, spinal cord, back itself or spine. So if you want to get pregnant, you should consume enough folic acid.
A balanced diet or folic acid supplements help here. Because every neural tube defect that can be prevented in babies means a better life for the child and also for the future family. Taking folic acid also reduces the risk of miscarriage.
The right amount: This is how you determine your needs
When it comes to the health of nascent mothers, the right amount of nutrients is an issue. So if you want to have children, you should keep an eye on your folic acid intake and eat the right foods.
Experts recommend that you start taking a dietary supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid as a daily dose at least one month before you plan to become pregnant. However, avoid drinks with alcohol as they negatively affect the impact.
Folic acid deficiency: symptoms
According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, a large part of the population has a deficiency. However, if you don't consume enough of it, various symptoms and complaints are possible. Fatigue and headaches are among the most common signs.
Pale skin and a weakened immune system also indicate a folic acid deficiency. You can avoid these symptoms if you consume enough folic acid.
Because one thing is certain: if your body doesn't get what it needs, it will leave you feeling unwell and exhausted.
Side effects
Normally folic acid is well tolerated and just has few negative effects. But as with many things in life, the dose makes the difference.
High amounts of folic acid sometimes actually lead to unpleasant side effects or consequences like these:
- Stomach problems
- Sleep disorders
- Skin reactions
Therefore, you should not exceed the recommended dose and, if in doubt, consult a doctor. This is the only way to ensure that you enjoy all the benefits of folic acid. In this way, use our products without taking any possible risks.
Suitable products (preparations)
Folic acid is an essential nutrient for the formation of healthy cells and plays a central role in realizing your desire to have children. Our products Fertile+F for the desire to have children and Folify for pregnancy will support you.
They are enriched with folic acid and other multivitamins to ensure your body gets the necessary amount of nutrients. These products are 100% vegan, gluten-free and free of any additives or colorings. They were developed, manufactured in Germany and tested in certified laboratories.
In this way we guarantee the highest quality.
Folate vs. Folic Acid: What's the Difference?
Folate and folic acid represent two different forms of the same vitamin – vitamin B9. This vitamin plays a crucial role in the body's cellular processes, especially during pregnancy.
A balanced diet allows us to consume natural sources of folate, while folic acid is found in a synthetic form in dietary supplements and fortified foods.
However, if you want to have children, it is not just the supply of folate or folic acid that is important. It is also important to pay attention to other aspects such as iodine, as plants in Germany are considered low in iodine. Our products take these aspects into account.
They contain the already activated form of folic acid, methylfolate. For genetic reasons, around 50% of all women cannot produce sufficient quantities of the enzyme that is responsible for converting folic acid into its bioactive form.
This means that they cannot fully utilize folic acid. Methylfolate, on the other hand, no longer needs to be converted and can therefore flow directly into the metabolism. This makes our products particularly effective and easy for the body to use.
Recommendation: How much folic acid do you need during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
According to the DGE (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e.V./ German Nutrition Society), you should increase your folic acid intake to at least 400 μg per day during pregnancy. The growing baby needs this important substance for the formation of the nervous system.
This is definitely recommended, especially in early pregnancy. This will help you avoid neural tube and other defects. But there are also plenty of natural sources of folic acid.
In some cases, however, it is better to take it in the form of nutritional supplements - always in consultation with your doctor. With our pregnancy set for mothers, for example, you can prepare yourself well.
By the way: After giving birth, 400 μg is ideal for you as a woman while breastfeeding.
Which products contain folic acid?
There are many foods that are naturally rich in folic acid. The sources include, among others:
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach
- Brussels sprouts
- Legumes such as lentils and chickpeas
- Certain fruits like oranges
Additionally, you can often find folic acid in foods like bread, cereal, and fortified pasta. Liver also has healthy contents of this vitamin.
However, since it is particularly high in vitamin A, pregnant women should avoid this food in the first trimester of pregnancy. Too high a dosage of beef liver could harm the unborn child. Here you will find an overview of recommended options:
Legumes
Pulses, also known as legumes, come in many different varieties. They are not only extremely tasty, but also particularly nutritious. Folic acid is present in large quantities in legumes.
These tiny powerhouses are also rich in fiber, protein, and many other vitamins and minerals. If you are looking for a healthy, tasty and versatile ingredient, you should definitely include legumes in your diet.
These include, for example, beans, lentils, chickpeas and peanuts.
Green leafy vegetables
Vegetables are an important ingredient for a healthy diet. Green leafy vegetables in particular, such as iceberg lettuce or broccoli, are an excellent source of this. However, dark green varieties such as lamb's lettuce, spinach and kale are even better.
They have higher levels of this important nutrient. This means that color plays a role.
Use this power food to easily prepare dishes like a tomato spinach salad with fried chicken and roasted seeds or a green smoothie with kale, banana and almond milk!
You can find many more recipes for cooking on the internet - get inspired. Strengthen your hormones and your cycle in a delicious way.
Fruits such as citrus fruits and strawberries
Oranges and grapefruits are among the most popular citrus fruits and are beneficial not only because of their juicy taste. They have many positive aspects.
This fruit is also an excellent source of folic acid. This is essential for the healthy growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy.
Regular consumption of citrus fruits helps to cover the body's folic acid needs, and not just during pregnancy. Strengthen the health of your heart and nervous system with a delicious portion every day.
Whether as a juice or as a snack in between – citrus fruits are a delicious and healthy way to supply your body with important nutrients. If you prefer something sweeter, just enjoy a portion of strawberries. This delicious fruit is a real vitamin B miracle.
Nuts and seeds
These foods pamper the nervous system of pregnant women and at the same time provide them with folate. Pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds in particular have a high proportion.
You also get this nutrient with nuts, even if they have a lower proportion than seeds.
A healthy diet usually needs to be supplemented
A healthy and balanced diet is important to provide your body with enough nutrients. But sometimes that's not enough. Especially when it comes to getting folic acid, you often don't get the recommended amount through food alone.
Women in particular who are planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant should therefore consider supplementing with an appropriate preparation.
With a suitable item you can reduce the risk of malformations in the unborn child. With one product, you can ensure the health of mother and child in the long term. If you have any questions about the topic, please feel free to contact us.
We'll give you tips and explain how to avoid an overdose. You can also balance your folic acid levels with your doctor. By the way: Couples who finally want to become parents can also find other vitamins with us.
This way you can take care of your baby's health before the positive pregnancy test and a malformation is less likely. With our product by your side, you can look forward to the exciting time.
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