Benefits of Folic Acid for Women

Folic acid or vitamin B9 is a vital nutrient that performs many functions in women's health.

It is the synthetic form of folate, a naturally occurring B vitamin found in many food items. Folic acid supplementation has proved to provide benefits regarding women's health-especially pregnancy-and most importantly, in avoiding birth defects.

In this blog, I'll outline a few benefits folic acid can bring to women's health, why this is important, and ways you can be certain to boost sufficient levels through your diet.

Folic acid, also known as the synthetic form of folate, is essentially a B vitamin which is vital for the development of cells and formation of DNA and other genetic materials.

Most of these foods contain fortified foods and supplements more than otherwise. Most of such foods are leafy green vegetables, beans, and citrus fruits.

It should be implied that folic acid plays a very important role to women, especially those who are in the childbearing stage, since a lot of people have been advised to take it so as to complete a very essential component in preventing neural tube defects from developing fetuses.

Some are termed as neural tube defects when a baby fails to receive enough folic acid before birth-critical defects in the brain and spinal cord. Aside from the prenatal aspect, there are quite a number of other health benefits folic acid offers to women.

One benefit of folic acid known to a reasonable extent by the general population in relation to the health of females has to do with prevention against neural tube defects.

These appear in the form of spina bifida and anencephaly. Babies born with these defects are severely impaired or may even die shortly after birth.

The neural tube forms relatively very early in pregnancy, usually before a woman realizes that she is pregnant; therefore, it is recommended that a woman who intends to become pregnant intake folic acid daily.

It is very important that a woman consumes folic acid the day she conceives and during the first trimesters of pregnancy.

The Center for Disease Control reports that the adequate dose for a pregnant woman or women of childbearing age is 400-800 mcg of folic acid per day. An amount of folic acid like this could greatly reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

Women who have previously experienced a pregnancy complicated by a neural tube defect may require greater doses of the vitamin. Accordingly, higher doses will effectively increase protection against recurrences.

While folic acid is most famously associated with pregnant women to prevent birth defects, its benefits for women go beyond that. Let's dive into the key benefits for women in general.

Folic acid is essential in red blood cells production. Since red blood cells are meant to carry oxygen in the body, in case the body lacks sufficient folic acid, the body will most likely not produce healthy red blood cells, and this condition leads to what is normally referred to as folate deficiency anemia.

This is normally defined by fatigue and weakness. In general, women are more susceptible to anemia during their menstrual cycle and also during pregnancy. Therefore, enough folic acid is important to help maintain energy levels while keeping one fit in general.

Another risk Folic acid will minimize is on heart diseases. It lowers the levels of homocysteine, an amino acid in blood.

The high levels of homocysteine in blood raise one's risk for cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes. Folic acid breaks down homocysteine hence lowering the risk of heart disease that kills women worldwide.

Folic acid maintains the functions of the brain as well as cognitive functions. In fact, folic acid deficiency has been thought to be involved in impairing brain function as well as cognitive deterioration and increased risks of dementia in aging women.

Adequate intake of enough dietary or supplemental folic acid may help improve the brain health, enhance memory, and improve the possibility against age-related cognitive decline disorders.

There is also evidence that supplementation of folic acid intake may reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as breast, colon, and cervical, in addition to its role in repairing and synthesizing DNA, which might disrupt the creation of cancerous cells.

Of course, there is still much research to be conducted to ensure that women who are full of appropriate amounts of folic acid reduce the risk of these cancers.

Folic acid appears in the system of the women during the pregnancy term. In addition to the role of preventing the baby from neural tube defects, folic acids are essential for the proper development of the fetus, mainly the brain and the spinal column.

Folic acid aids in the development of the neural tube that eventually forms the baby's brain and spinal cord.

Once the delivery takes place and the body fails to absorb sufficient amounts of folic acid, the developing fetal structure grows to be abnormal.

The most prominent complications of pregnancy due to folic acid deficiency include the brain and spines. Some of these conditions include spina bifida, anencephaly, and many more forms.

They should start taking it even before they might conceive since most of the neural tube defects arise from failures early in the pregnancy that spans 28 days.

Not only preventing birth defects, folic acid also helps in relieving other complications of pregnancy, among them being preterm birth, low birth weight, and poor fetal growth. Based on the above findings, folic acid is one of the most fundamental nutrients for pregnant women.

The following are the amounts of folic acid for a pregnant woman daily intake based on her age and pregnancy stage.

It is 400 mcg daily for women of childbearing ages. For pregnant women, it will be the intake of 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid in a day.

The doctor will prescribe a daily amount of 4,000 mcg of folic acid for women who have had previous pregnancies that developed with the neural tube defect.

A very important note for folic acid intake is that too much consumption masks the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency.

This condition, if not given proper treatment, will lead to nerve damage so that one has to limit his only to this recommended amount while consulting a health professional to obtain a higher dosage.

Here are some common sources of ensuring you ingest adequate amounts of folic acid and folate.

Folic acid is available in supplementation form as well as within fortified foods, but the different types of folate can occur naturally in many foods. Here are common sources of folic acid and folate:

• Cereals

• Bread and pasta

• Rice

• Flour and cornmeal

• Fortified juices

• Greens like spinach, kale, or lettuce.

• Citrus fruits: oranges, lemons, etc

• Beans and legumes

• Nuts and seeds

• Avocadoes

• Eggs

Supplements of folic acid are the easiest way for women who cannot get enough folate through food intake to obtain the recommended daily amount.

Folic acid supplements are common and most can be part of a multivitamin or a supplementary tablet. Any woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant must consult with their healthcare provider before beginning any supplement.

Folic acid deficiency is associated with some health disorders, including defects of the neural tube, anemia, and impaired cognitive skills.

In this context, how to avoid folic acid deficiency in women would make for an excellent question to answer.

In order to avoid deficiency of folic acid, women should determine that they are intaking adequate amounts of folate and folic acid from diet and supplements.

1. Take as much quantity of folate-rich food: Folate was found to exist in a huge amount of green vegetables, beans, citrus fruits, and other food products. So, it should be consumed as much as one can.

2. Take folic acid supplements if necessary: If you have an intention of getting pregnant or already get pregnant, then you need to take folic acid supplements to ensure that you get the best daily dose.

3. Increase the amount of fortified foods: Many breakfast cereals and bread are highly fortified with folic acid. Adding them to your diet should increase your intake.

4. Visit the doctor: If you are still uncertain of whether you have taken enough folic acid or folate, you should visit your physician.

He or she might prescribe further supplements or dietary changes to ensure that you reach your nutritional requirements for folic acid and folate.

Naturally, helping out in the production of healthy red blood cells, preventing the chance of having birth defects, and other benefits in between, the benefits that folic acid extends to women are endless.

To become pregnant or simply wanting to improve one's health, taking folic acid may lead to major health benefits. All these can be minimized if an appropriate amount of folic acid can be acquired from the diet or supplements.

Folic acid prevents birth defects, has a beneficial effect on the health of the brain as well keeps your heart healthy. Add folic acid to your daily routine and enjoy its numerous benefits.

* Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).