Folate and folic acid (also called pteroylmonoglutamic acid, vitamin B9 or folacin) they are a different form of vitamin B complex, fundamental for the prevention of birth defects in the brain and spinal cord.
Folate occurs naturally in food, while folic acid is its synthetic form, manufactured in a laboratory.
These benefit all people, men and women of any age, but especially pregnant women. Why is it so important for the future mother to ingest an adequate amount of this vitamin? The reasons are multiple, and result in both the health of the baby and the mother.
As we have seen on several occasions, folic acid is vital during the development of the baby in the womb, since it participates in the synthesis of DNA, the protein that makes up the chromosomes and that collects the genetic code that governs the metabolism of cells, and plays a fundamental role in the process of cell multiplication.
Studies show that thanks to the intake of folic acid before conception and during pregnancy, the number of babies born with neural tube defects decreases by about 50%. The most common defects are anencephaly (a serious underdevelopment of the skull and brain in the newborn, which form incompletely), spina bifida (incomplete formation of the vertebrae or spinal cord), and hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain).
In addition, this vitamin prevents the baby's cleft lip and there are studies that suggest that folic acid allows to avoid spontaneous abortions in the first weeks of gestation.
In the mother, an adequate intake of this substance prevents the risk of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
A lack of this vitamin It could cause weakness and tiredness, along with a greater degree of insomnia, symptoms that already become more frequent during pregnancy. In addition, alterations of digestive character, irratibility and premature appearance of gray hair may also appear. Anemia can also be a sign of your deficit.
Although many foods contain folate, as we will see, especially vegetables, it is not enough to get the necessary amount. In addition, much of the folate can be destroyed by storing or cooking food. With the feeding of a woman, you don't reach 0.2 milligrams, that's why we need a vitamin complex with folic acid to reach the recommended amount (approximately 1 mg.) once you are pregnant.
Recent studies have shown that one in 7 people may suffer a genetic mutation that causes folic acid insufficiency and hinders its absorption in its natural form.
Therefore, in any case, it is important to take a supplement that contains this vitamin from a few months before pregnancy, to prepare, during it and after delivery, during breastfeeding.
Folic acid supplements usually present as Food Complements, in tablets or capsules, along with other vitamin and mineral supplements also beneficial for pregnancy, such as iron, iodine, calcium ... Our gynecologist is the specialist to prescribe the dose that suits us, and the specific supplement among the many that There are in the market.
