Folic acid is also called folate or vitamin B9. It is an important vitamin to make sure that you are getting enough of as it used for cell development, tissue growth, as well as healthy brain development. It is also vital for cell division that is necessary for producing DNA. There are several food sources that provide the body with folic acid. Some of these include dark leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, citrus fruits, legumes, tomato juice, bananas, melons, asparagus, mushrooms, poultry, shellfish, pork, fortified cereals as well as several other fruits and vegetables.
Making sure that you are eating a well balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to ensure that you are getting enough folic acid in order to remain healthy and strong. Here are some of the benefits folic acid has on women’s health.
1. Pregnancy
It is very important for pregnant women to make sure that they are getting enough folic acid in their diet. This can either come from the food that they eat or from a prenatal vitamin. Women who are struggling to conceive may benefit from increasing their intake of folic acid. In addition, Folic acid can help prevent certain types of birth defects and also enhance fetus development. An expectant mother should start taking folic acid supplements during their pregnancy. However, it is important to only take the dose that is recommended by your physician.
Taking a folic acid supplement during pregnancy helps to protect the baby from neural tube defects, cleft lip, cleft palate, low birth weight, poor growth, miscarriage, and premature birth. It is recommended that women trying to conceive and women in their first three months of pregnancy take 400 mcg per day. From the fourth through ninth month 600 mcg should be taken.
