Finish



Menu



First Name *

Please enter a First NamePlease enter a valid First Name, botanical garden cbd gummies review the maximum length is 50 characters.






Last Name *

Please enter a Last NamePlease enter a valid Last Name, the maximum length is 50 characters.






Email address *

Please enter a valid Email AddressPlease enter a valid Email Address





The benefits of taking folic acid in the run up to conception


Date published 16 July 2019


Back to article list



Latest articles



If you're thinking of trying to get pregnant, one of the most important things you can do for your future baby's health (as well as giving up smoking) is to take a folic acid supplement.


Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, can reduce the risk of your baby developing a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida, by as much as 70 per cent.


When to take folic acid


The Department of Health recommends women who are planning a pregnancy take a 400mcg a day folic acid supplement, before conception, and for the first three months of pregnancy, when your baby's neural tube (which forms the brain and spinal cord) is developing.


It's also safe to carry on taking folic acid throughout your pregnancy.


The advice is that the dosage should be increased to a prescription of 5mg a day if you've had: a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect; you or your partner have a neural tube defect or a family history of neural tube defects; or you have diabetes.


Can you get enough folic acid from your diet?


The dietary form of folic acid is called folate and natural products expo cbd is found in foods such as yeast extract, wholegrain cereals, liver, Brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, brown rice beans, oranges and beer. It is also added to some breakfast cereals.


Folate is also found in liver - but it's not safe to eat liver if trying to conceive or during pregnancy because of its high vitamin A content, which can damage a baby's eye development.


Folate is water-soluble and can't be stored in the body for long, so you need to top up your levels regularly. And up to 50 per cent of folate in foods can be destroyed by cooking or keeping the food which contains it in the fridge for too long.


For these reasons, folic acid supplements are recommended for women trying to conceive (for at least one month before conception) and during the first three months of pregnancy.


What is spina bifida?


Spina bifida means 'split spine ' - it's caused when the neural tube from which the spine and central nervous system develops fails to close, leaving a gap.


Scientists don't know what causes this to occur, but they do know that taking folic acid can reduce the risk of it happening.


Other ways to boost your pre-conceptual health


Folic Acid


Like this article? Share it!


About Jo Waters


Jo Waters is a health writer who has contributed to a variety of newspapers and magazines including the Daily Mail, Mirror, Nurture Magazine and the

First Name * Please enter a First NamePlease enter a valid First Name, the maximum length is 30 characters.

Last Name * Please enter a Last NamePlease enter a valid Last Name, the maximum length is 30 characters.

Email address * Please enter a valid Email AddressPlease enter a valid Email AddressPlease enter a valid Email Address, the maximum length is 80 characters.The Email Address entered is already registered, please sign in with the Email Address or enter a different one



We'll keep you updated on all the latest offers, news and expert advice.

You can opt out at any time - see our Privacy NoticePrivacy Notice for how.



First Name *

Please enter a First NamePlease enter a valid First Name, the maximum length is 30 characters.






Last Name *

Please enter a Last NamePlease enter a valid Last Name, the maximum length is 30 characters.






Email address *

Please enter a valid Email AddressPlease enter a valid Email AddressPlease enter a valid Email Address, the maximum length is 80 characters.The Email Address entered is already registered, please sign in with the Email Address or enter a different one










We'll keep you updated on all the latest offers, cannaraycbd.com writes news and expert advice.


You can opt out at any time - see our Privacy Notice for how.


© Healthspan 2023

Healthspan House, The Grange, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 2QH



We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. Find out more about our usage.