Folate, or vitamin B9, is a nutrient that is naturally present in a variety of foods. These nutrients can be found in dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, or fruits such as oranges. Manufacturers usually create a synthetic form of folate in the form of a dietary supplement, namely folic acid.
Both folate and folic acid both have an important role in supporting a healthy pregnancy. In several studies, it is explained that folate can help maintain the health of the mother and fetus, support the growth and development of the baby, and can reduce the risk of the baby being born with defects.
For this reason, pregnant women and women who are running a pregnancy program are recommended to consume more folate. What are the important
benefits for pregnancy? Come on, see the following review.
1. Adequate folate intake can prevent neural tube defects in babies
One of the most common benefits of folate is to prevent birth defects in babies. Reported by the National Institutes of Health page , taking folate before pregnancy and during early pregnancy can prevent neural tube defects in babies, namely spina bifida and anencephaly ( anencephaly ).
Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spinal cord or vertebrae do not form properly. Meanwhile, anencephaly is a condition characterized by the absence of some parts of the brain and skull.
The Healthline page explains, usually the neural tube develops into the spinal cord and brain at 28 days after conception. When the neural tube is not closed properly, it can cause neural tube defects.
Babies born with spina bifida may experience paralysis, long-term disability, and require several surgeries. While babies with anencephaly usually do not survive.
2. Lowers the risk of congenital heart defects
In addition to preventing neural tube defects, adequate folate intake is also associated with a reduced risk of congenital heart defects. In a scientific study published in Nature in 2015, stated that folic acid supplementation in mothers can significantly reduce the risk of congenital heart defects in babies.
Congenital heart defects are conditions in which the heart or blood vessels near the heart do not develop normally before birth. This will affect the function and how the heart works.
According to the Mayo Clinic , during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy, the heart begins to form and beat. The blood vessels that carry blood into and out of the heart also begin to develop. Congenital heart defects are thought to develop at this critical period of fetal development.
However, it is not clear how folic acid affects this condition. Further research is needed to understand it further.
3. Reducing the risk of pregnancy complications
A 2011 study entitled "Folic Acid and Supplementation and Pregnancy: More than just Neutral Tube Defect Prevention" reports that folic acid can also reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. These include preterm labor, problems with the development of the placenta, and a cleft palate and lip.
This reduced risk of babies being born with a cleft lip or palate was also reported by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). They explain that women who take folic acid early in pregnancy can reduce the chances of babies being born with facial clefts.
Furthermore, the researchers revealed that taking 0.4 milligrams of folic acid a day reduced the risk of a baby being born with a cleft lip (with or without cleft palate) by one third.
4. Reduce the risk of preeclampsia
According to the Mayo Clinic , preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, most often the liver and kidneys. This condition can affect the health of the mother and fetus.
A scientific study in the 2018 Journal of Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics found that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy can reduce the risk of preeclampsia. Researchers also consider that supplementation of this vitamin could be a promising prevention strategy for preeclampsia.
5. Improve nerve development and brain function
In studies studying the long-term effects of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, it was reported that folic acid supplementation may improve neurodevelopment and brain function in children, as described in the journal BMC Medicine in 2019 and Plos One in 2016.
However, excessive consumption and the presence of unmetabolized folic acid in the bloodstream have been associated with negative effects on neurocognitive development and an increased risk of autism. This fact was published in research from the journal Brain Science in 2017 and Molecular Autism in 2020.
So, although the consumption of folic acid is very good in early pregnancy, but its consumption continuously during pregnancy, can also have a negative impact on health. This happens because it can increase folate levels in the baby's blood and umbilical cord, as reported by Healthline .
If you're planning to get pregnant, experts recommend taking a folic acid supplement of 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) per day, starting at least 1 month before becoming pregnant and continuing through the first 2-3 months of pregnancy.
Topic:
PREGNANCY FOOD NUTRITION PREGNANT PROGRAM HEALTH ENTERTAINMENTNEWS HEALTH WOMEN HEALTH
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