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A must-have secret weapon during pregnancy: How does folic acid prevent neural tube defects?
During pregnancy, mothers are often told to take folic acid supplements. This advice is not unfounded, because folic acid is essential for the health of the fetus. Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin B9 that plays an indispensable role in DNA synthesis and cell division. From the first days of pregnancy, a pregnant woman's folic acid requirements increase significantly, and insufficient folic acid intake may lead to the development of neural tube defects (NTDs), which may have profound effects on the long-term development of the fetus.
Folic acid supplementation is widely believed to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, making it an essential nutrient for pregnant women.
The importance of folic acid
Folic acid not only plays a key role during pregnancy, but is also an essential component required by the body to synthesize DNA and RNA. Since the human body cannot synthesize folic acid naturally, it must be obtained through diet. According to U.S. guidelines, the daily intake of folic acid for adults should be 400 micrograms, while the needs of pregnant women increase to approximately 600 micrograms.
During early pregnancy, especially in the first two months of pregnancy, folic acid deficiency is thought to be the culprit in many neural tube defects. These defects include anencephaly and spina bifida, which currently affect an estimated 300,000 to 600,000 babies worldwide each year.
How to prevent neural tube defects
Studies have shown that pregnant women who start taking folic acid supplements before becoming pregnant and in early pregnancy can reduce the risk of neural tube defects. It is recommended that all women planning to become pregnant start taking folic acid supplements three months before pregnancy.
Folic acid is effective because it plays a role in various cell division and growth processes in the fetus, reducing the risk of neural tube defects.
An international study conducted found that when the country implemented mandatory food folic acid standards, the birth rate of spina bifida decreased by more than 30%. This means that strengthening public health policies to improve pregnant women's intake of folic acid can substantially reduce the occurrence of these birth defects.
Sources of folic acid intake
Folate can be obtained naturally from a variety of foods, including dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes, and folate-fortified cereals. For pregnant women whose usual diet cannot meet their needs, it is recommended to use additional folic acid supplements.
It is worth noting that some drugs may affect the absorption of folic acid, such as the anti-epileptic drug Valproic Acid. The use of such drugs can increase the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus, so it should be taken during pregnancy. Use with caution.
The connection between folic acid and overall health
In addition to preventing neural tube defects, folate intake has been linked to several health conditions, including cardiovascular health and the management of cancer risk. Studies have shown that long-term intake of appropriate amounts of folic acid can reduce the incidence of certain types of cancer. Compared with individuals who are deficient in folic acid, people who consume sufficient folic acid have a significantly reduced risk of brain cancer and breast cancer.
Research shows that women who take folic acid supplements during pregnancy can even reduce the incidence of congenital heart disease in their newborns.
Summary
Folic acid supplementation has long been shown to be critical to the health of pregnant women and the normal development of the fetus. According to research, folic acid can effectively prevent neural tube defects, saving countless families from these serious consequences. When planning to become pregnant or after being diagnosed with pregnancy, is it the wisest choice to understand the importance of folic acid and start supplementing with folic acid as early as possible?
