Why the need for folic acid during pregnancy

Almost the entire population of the globe in one way or another lacks this necessary element as folic acid. However, few people know how important it is for the body, especially for pregnant women and children.

Most often folic acid deficiency is imperceptible, but after some time, a sick person loses appetite, it increases fatigue, loss of hair and sores appear on the oral mucosa. From lack of folic acid affects many organs and systems, and a serious deficiency can even lead to death.

Folic acid, also called vitamin B9, in small quantities can be produced by intestinal microflora, but not enough to cover the needs of the organism in this vitamin. It is therefore important to provide a sufficient amount of folic acid, which enters the human body along with food.

During pregnancy a woman needs greater amounts of folic acid than before. The fact is that vitamin B9 plays an important role in the formation of the placenta, causing its deficiency can cause placental insufficiency and even premature termination of pregnancy. Vitamins B9 and B12 is vital for cell division and therefore folic acid is especially nujna the time of the birth and growth of the embryo. Moreover this vitamin takes part in hematopoiesis and the formation of nucleic acids, which are responsible for the accurate transmission of hereditary characteristics.

Folic acid is especially important for the formation of the neural tube of the child. Deficiency of this vitamin consistently leads to severe malformations, such as hydrocephalus, cerebral hernia, congenital deformities, absence of the brain, delays physical and mental development, birth of a dead child. The lack of such a useful vitamin affects the health of the pregnant woman, as she is suffering from toxemia, anemia, depression, pain in the legs.

Laying the foundations for physical and psychological health of the child is still in the early stages of pregnancy, so folic acid must be ingested in sufficient quantity throughout the pregnancy.

The best source of vitamin B9 are plants with green leaves, such as parsley, lettuce, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. It is also found in avocado, citrus fruits, melons, beans, apricots. In winter, the lack of this vitamin is especially likely, as in eat too many fresh vegetables. As animal sources is best to choose a liver, fish, cheese and meat.