Thursday 25 August 2016

Taking care of pregnant women. Folic Acid or Vitamin B9.

The body is unable to synthesize certain vitamins such as Folic acid therefore it needs to acquire it through foods. Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, asparagus, watercress, legumes, nuts and fortified cereals among many others, have the highest levels of this vitamin. The body has a high demand for this vitamin during pregnancy making supplements a necessity during this time.

The ‘British Medical Journal’ recently published that only 20% of pregnant women in Europe were taking this supplement and recommended that it should be made mandatory just as it is in the US.

Why the need to provide pregnant women with Folic acid?
It has been shown that Folic acid prevents the emergence of spina bifida and anencephaly or lack of development of the brain, which would result in the emergence of mental retardation, problems with urination and difficulties when walking for the child.

Recent studies have shown that supplements of Folic acid in pregnant women would also aid in preventing congenital heart disease and cleft lips in children, whilst also reducing by the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia by 60%.

The recommended dosage would always depend on whether there has been a previous family history of children with spina bifida, or if the mum is obese or diabetic.
It would be ideal to start taking Folic acid two months prior to conceiving if the pregnancy is planned; if it is not, then it is recommended that a pregnancy test should be carried out as soon as possible to confirm the pregnancy and begin taking Folic acid.

Never forget that our health and that of our children deserve it.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez
Medical Director of HealthSalus

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