Folic acid - important from the first days after conception

Many women only start supplementing with folic acid (vitamin B9) once the doctor has confirmed their pregnancy, i.e. around the 4th week at the earliest. Unfortunately, by then it is already a little too late. In order for the child to be protected against birth defects, it must be provided with adequate amounts of folic acid from the first days after conception. It is not without reason that doctors recommend their patients to take this vitamin even before conception (even three months before pregnancy). This way, the baby has a chance of developing properly. Why are the first days of pregnancy so important?

Because very important internal organs - the brain and the spinal cord - are formed during this time. They are formed by the closure of the so-called neural tube, the structure that is the beginning of the baby's nervous system. Folic acid is involved in this process. If folic acid is lacking, the neural tube may close incorrectly. This in turn will result in serious malformations, such as a brainless child or the presence of a meningo-spinal hernia.

However, folic acid does not only affect the nervous system. The vitamin also regulates many other, equally important, processes in the body - e.g. the formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis and cell division.

Folic acid in pregnancy - what dosage for the mother-to-be?

In order to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the child (by up to 70%), it is sufficient to take 0.4 mg of folic acid daily, in the period of approximately three months before conception and then approximately until the 12th week of pregnancy. Folic acid tablets can now be purchased at any pharmacy.

Many foods will also be sources of folic acid, including, for example, broccoli, spinach, asparagus and green salad . However, it is worth bearing in mind that by eating even large quantities of these foods, you will not provide yourself with as much folic acid as you need. In particular, up to 90% of this vitamin disappears from food as a result of heat treatment, cutting or improper storage. Folic acid supplementation is therefore essential.

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MTHFR gene mutation - how it limits the absorption of folic acid

Above all, it does not allow vitamin B9 to be converted to a form that the body can use, i.e. the active form . As a result, a woman is deficient in folic acid, despite taking supplements and eating a healthy diet. It is worth mentioning that the MTHFR gene mutation is not visible. It can only be detected using commercially available genetic tests. It is best to take this test before you get pregnant. What will this do?

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Knowing about the mutation, the doctor can select the right supplement for the woman

It is counterproductive for women with a mutation in the MTHFR gene to take "ordinary" folic acid supplements, as it will not be absorbed into the body in this form anyway. In this case, they should be replaced by special preparations with already processed folic acid. However, taking these on your own without genetic testing is not the best idea.

Processed folic acid - more expensive than a DNA test alone

Processed folic acid can be up to several times more expensive than regular folic acid. We can even pay several dozen PLN for one packet. This is a lot, taking into account the fact that during pregnancy, one packet is usually more than enough. In the end, it may even turn out that a genetic test for the MTHFR gene mutation will cost less than the preparation itself. In order not to spend money senselessly, it is therefore a good idea to find out first whether we need it at all.