“How much folate should I take during pregnancy?”
I am pregnant and want to take folate. How much folate should I take during pregnancy?
1 Answer
It’s recommended to take at least 600 micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid per day to reduce the risk of neural tube defects and congenital abnormalities like cleft palate and heart defects.
Folic acid is a B vitamin (B9) that plays an integral role in DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and fetal growth and development. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate found in many supplements. It gets converted into the active form of folate — L-methylfolate — in the body. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine.
In five randomized studies including 6,105 women, supplementing with folic acid daily was associated with a reduced risk of neural tube defects. No negative side effects were noted.
Although adequate folate can be obtained through diet, many women don’t eat enough folate-rich foods, making supplementation necessary.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all women of childbearing age consume at least 400 mcg of folate or folic acid per day. This is because many pregnancies are unplanned, and birth abnormalities due to a folate deficiency can occur very early in pregnancy, even before most women know they’re pregnant.
It may be wise for pregnant women, especially those with an MTHFR genetic mutation, to choose a supplement that contains L-methylfolate to ensure maximum uptake. Check with your doctor to see if a Folate Blood Test might be necessary. Your folate levels can be affected by different conditions or medicines, and your diet.
Folic acid is a B vitamin (B9) that plays an integral role in DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and fetal growth and development. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate found in many supplements. It gets converted into the active form of folate — L-methylfolate — in the body. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine.
In five randomized studies including 6,105 women, supplementing with folic acid daily was associated with a reduced risk of neural tube defects. No negative side effects were noted.
Although adequate folate can be obtained through diet, many women don’t eat enough folate-rich foods, making supplementation necessary.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all women of childbearing age consume at least 400 mcg of folate or folic acid per day. This is because many pregnancies are unplanned, and birth abnormalities due to a folate deficiency can occur very early in pregnancy, even before most women know they’re pregnant.
It may be wise for pregnant women, especially those with an MTHFR genetic mutation, to choose a supplement that contains L-methylfolate to ensure maximum uptake. Check with your doctor to see if a Folate Blood Test might be necessary. Your folate levels can be affected by different conditions or medicines, and your diet.
