How to take folic acid after. Why you need folic acid when planning a pregnancy

Folic acid is one of the vital vitamins. As a rule, there is not so much of it in the usual diet, so vitamin B9 deficiency is far from uncommon. To replenish the balance, you need to know the correct dosage of folic acid and be able to properly use additional folates.

Vitamin B9 (medical name - folic acid) is one of the most important nutrients for humans, which is needed for many processes in the body. Folic acid helps cells grow, maintain the integrity of DNA, so the vitamin prevents the development of cancer.

In addition, folic acid is involved in hematopoiesis, helps the heart and blood vessels. By improving blood circulation, acid has a beneficial effect on immunity, improves the functioning of the nervous system and the general condition of the body.

BY THE WAY
Our intestines can produce folic acid on its own, but in very small amounts, so the bulk of this vitamin must come from food.

Reception features

Like any other drug, folic acid should be taken regularly. At the same time, consider its interaction with other drugs. For example, acid reduces the effect of phenytoin, therefore, its dose must be increased.

A number of substances reduce the absorption of folic acid by the body:

Antacids
cholestyramine,
some antibiotics (sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, neomycin, polymyxin)

Reduce the effect of the action can also:

cytotoxic drugs ( Methotrexate),
antibacterial agents (pyrimethamine),
diuretics (Triamterene).

With this option, doctors prescribe calcium folinate instead of folic acid.

How to take for prevention

For prophylaxis, small daily doses of B9 are used: 400 mcg for adult.

Teenagers this dosage may be prescribed for the prevention of anemia, immunodeficiency, and physical retardation.

Women planning a pregnancy, it is recommended to use 1 mg of acid once a day for medicinal purposes for six months in order to reduce all kinds of fetal malformations.

When is the best time to take

"Folk" must be taken orally after meal, as indicated in all instructions for the drug.

The fact is that taking vitamins on an empty stomach can lead to irritation of the gastric mucosa: like other acids, folic acid increases its acidity. This provokes diseases of the stomach - gastritis, ulcers, etc.

If you take a vitamin while eating, food will be more difficult to digest, since the acid forms an insoluble complex with zinc.

Important: if you miss a pill, you do not need to take a double dose

Admission courses

To maintain optimal levels of folic acid in the body, a daily intake is necessary.

ADVICE:
It is better to drink any vitamins in the morning during breakfast, drinking plenty of fluids. So unabsorbed vitamin surpluses can be easily removed by the body

How many folic acid tablets per day should I take

The number of tablets depends on the mass of the active substance in it, since folic acid is now sold in different dosages.

Most often, pharmacies sell folic acid in a dosage of 1 mg. For medicinal purposes, you need to use 1-2 tablets. per day. Pregnant women - 1 tablet per day for prevention.

Folic acid and vitamin E: regimen

Vitamin E and folic acid - a couple of useful elements that complement each other. Most often, gynecologists prescribe this combination of vitamins to girls from the first stages of pregnancy or to those who are just planning it.

Vitamin E and B9 guarantee the full development of the internal organs of the child and the development of the central nervous system. Vitamin E is directly responsible for the reproductive system, increases the fertility of the girl, reduces the threat of miscarriage in the short term, and prevents the placenta from exfoliating.

When used with folic acid, the intestinal wall is strengthened, the mother's condition improves: working capacity increases, immunity increases, the nervous system is restored.

Optimal dosage:

Vitamin B9 (folic acid) - 0.8 mg per day.;
Vitamin E (tocopherol) - 0.3 mg per day..

Is it possible to drink folic acid without a prescription

Any pharmacy will tell you that this medicine is available without a doctor's prescription.

If you find yourself deficient in folic acid, then the smallest daily dose will not harm you, since the excess is excreted by the body on its own.

The best option is dietary supplements, where the composition already contains folic acid. Like vitamin complexes, dietary supplements contain many other useful substances.

ADVICE :
The daily volume of folic acid is determined by various factors: gender, age, lifestyle and body condition; Only a doctor can help you choose.

Despite the widespread belief that folate is easily excreted from the body and its overdose is impossible, it should be borne in mind that the vitamin has a number of contraindications:

hypersensitivity to B9,
malignant anemia,
oncology,
vitamin B12 deficiency.

Release form

Folic acids in pharmacies can be found in the form of powders or tablets (usually 1 mg, 25 and 50 pieces per pack).

However, there are other forms of release:

100 mcg

the minimum dosage may be prescribed by a doctor for prevention;
100 mcg is how many mg: 0.1 mg

400 mcg

dosage in tablets 400 mcg:
1 tab. per day (if there is no deficiency), or half a tablet (1/2 tablet of acid) at a dosage of 1 mg per day - for children over 4 years old and adults as maintenance treatment; pregnant women to prevent fetal defects
400 mcg is how many mg: 0.4 mg;
folic acid 400 mcg how many tablets:
1 tab. a dosage of 400 mcg or a quarter of a tablet with a dosage of 1 mg is the recommended daily dose for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy.

800 mcg

dosage in tablets 800 mcg:
1 tab. or slightly less than 1 tab. a dosage of 1 mg is prescribed during pregnancy and lactation.
800 mcg is how many mg: 0.8 mg

1 mg

dosage in tablets 1 mg:
1 tab. for the treatment of anemia, pregnant women - from 1.2 to 2.5 tab. per day in the first trimester.
1 mg is how many mcg: 1000 mcg

4 mg

dosage in 4 mg tablets:
attributed when planning pregnancy. There is no need to be afraid of such doses: if the doctor has prescribed this volume for you, then you or your baby do not have enough B9

5 mg

dosage in tablets 5 mg:
adults 1 tab. per day for the treatment of beriberi, children - in smaller doses depending on age
5 mg is how many grams: 0.005 g

Dosage of folic acid for children

Folic carbon dioxide is necessary for the growth and proper development of the body, because directly in childhood the body's immunity is developed, the main life-supporting systems are formed, so it is important to give the child all the necessary vitamins for its construction.

baby

Infants are recommended 25 micrograms of folic acid each day. With normal development, the baby receives all the nutrients from mother's milk, but if the doctor has identified a lack of nutrients in the newborn, B9 is prescribed additionally. Often, folic acid is required for premature babies.

Teenager

At a transitional age, B9 is necessary for children for the normal course of sexual development: vitamin B9 helps the young body to establish hormonal balance. In adolescence, many face skin problems of the face and body: acne, pimples, redness. With the help of folic acid, you can fight redness and irritation of the skin.

For the prevention of vitamin deficiency, children at this age are recommended to use 150-200 mcg, this is half a tablet with a dosage of 400 mcg. But we must remember that if the body needs to be restored, then the therapeutic dose of acid is determined by the doctor.

schoolboy

Folic acid for school-age children from 6 to 10 years old is prescribed at a dosage of 100 mcg per day; from 10 to 14 years - 150 mcg.

Schoolchildren need vitamin B9 to regulate brain activity in order to help children cope with the study load and relieve emotional stress.

How much folic acid do children need: summarizing

Daily Value for Women

To maintain the balance of vitamins in the body, an adult woman needs to take at least 400 micrograms of folate per day.

In addition to the fact that vitamin B9 strengthens the body, normalizes internal processes and improves the general condition, folic acid (folka, as mothers like to call it) is of particular importance for women:

beneficial effect on the reproductive organs,
stops hair loss, rejuvenates and tones the skin;
normalizes the hormonal background;
reduces the symptoms of menopause;

How many times to take per day

Doctors advise taking folic acid (vitamin B9) like all other vitamins according to the scheme: 1 time per day, preferably in the morning, with meals. Drink a small amount of water.

Daily allowance for pregnancy planning

Pregnant doctors necessarily attribute folates. Normally, a woman should receive 400-600 micrograms of acid per day, this is half a 1 mg tablet.

Daily allowance for pregnant women

How many weeks to take folic acid?

Due to the fact that folates do not accumulate in the body, acid is needed already in the first weeks of pregnancy, doctors recommend taking it even at the planning stage of the baby.

IMPORTANT!A woman's body needs vitamin B9 the most in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Daily allowance for breastfeeding mothers

At breastfeeding a young mother should drink this medicine at a dosage of at least 500-800 micrograms of "folka" per day. It is better to take it as part of dietary supplements or multivitamins, since not only the mother's body, but also the baby needs nutrients at this moment.

Daily Value for Men

If the male body receives at least 700 micrograms of folic acid daily, then the risk of spermatozoa with different types of abnormalities in the chromosomes is reduced by 25-30%.

To avoid infertility in men, B9 is advised to be taken in conjunction with vitamin E.

When a couple is planning a pregnancy, a man needs to drink folic acid 2-3 months in advance.

Conclusion

Vitamin B9 ( in other words folic acid) participates in the formation of the circulatory system and immunity.
Folic acid is essential women who decided get pregnant, as it participates in the normalization of the process of formation and development of the fetus.
folic acid for men necessary for the good functioning of the digestive tract, improving memory, as well as increasing fertility.
Folic acid is prescribed children to improve appetite, brain function and boost immunity.

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Many mothers do not know why folic acid is needed when planning a pregnancy, and therefore do not take this vitamin at such a crucial period of development in their bodies of a new life. In fact, this is a huge mistake, because with a lack of folic acid, not only conception can be disturbed, but also the further proper development of the unborn baby.

Benefits of folic acid

Folic acid is rightfully considered one of the most important components for the favorable bearing of a child. Why do you need folic acid when planning a pregnancy , and also what dosage is most suitable for women, let's figure it out together.

Important! To ensure optimal conditions for pregnancy planning, you need to drink folic acid not only for women, but also for men. This is especially true for those families who want to become parents after thirty years.

You need to drink folic acid when planning pregnancy due to the following properties of this component:

Effective and fast strengthening of the body's immune system.
Protecting women from all kinds food species poisoning.
Help in the proper process of cell division.
Normalization of the protein digestion process.
Important in the formation of DNA, which in turn is responsible for the transmission of all hereditary relationships and diseases as well.
Improving the appetite of future parents.
Effective prevention of atherosclerosis.
Improving the process of hematopoiesis.
Improving the functions of the digestive tract (reducing the likelihood of constipation, diarrhea, bloating and other signs that often worry expectant mothers).
Normalization of the assimilation of other vitamins that are needed for the favorable bearing of a child.

In addition, it has been proven that taking this component when planning a pregnancy helps to avoid the development of a number of pathologies in an infant, namely:

Protection from all kinds of pathologies of the brain, underdevelopment and miscarriage. It has been proven that those women who took folic acid were less likely to give birth to children with mental retardation, Down's syndrome and problems with the central nervous system.
Protection against intrauterine fading of pregnancy and all kinds of defects in the development of the child's nervous system.
Help in the nutrition of the cells of the embryo, so that the fetus develops stably, without the occurrence of deviations.
Prevention of mutations in genes that can lead to oncological pathologies.
Reducing the likelihood of developing such pathologies as a cleft palate or cleft lip in a child, which, in turn, can later bring a huge amount of trouble and need for surgical interventions to the child.

In the event that future parents do not drink folic acid, the risk of the following problems increases:

Anemia in a woman, which can lead to hypoxia in the fetus (it will simply suffocate).
The appearance of congenital pathologies in the fetus, such as mental retardation, malfunctions in the central nervous system, etc.
Fading pregnancy and miscarriage. At the same time, this can happen in any trimester of the course of pregnancy, regardless of the primary clinical indicators of the success of the process of bearing a child.
Detachment of the placenta.
Loss of appetite in a woman, which will directly affect the development of the fetus - the child will not receive all the necessary nutrients and vitamins from the diet.
Increased nervousness and irritability in a woman, because of which the child can be born capricious and restless.
Reducing the likelihood of normal conception (even if fertilization occurs, there are no guarantees for the development of a full-fledged healthy baby).

Foods with vitamin B9

In the event that both future parents are healthy and do not suffer from any chronic pathologies, they may not be prescribed folic acid in the form of drugs. To saturate the body with this substance, it will be enough to enrich your diet with foods containing vitamin B9.

Most vitamin B9 is found in the following foods:

Nuts, especially almonds and walnuts. You can eat them both separately and in addition to other dishes (cereals).
Liver, kidney, lean chicken and turkey.
Fish. Most of all, vitamin B9 is found in fresh sea fish. It is better to cook it for a couple, bake or boil.
Kashi. Folic acid is found in large quantities in oatmeal, buckwheat, and rice porridge. To quickly increase the level of this vitamin in the body, it is recommended to consume them at least five times a week.
Greens (dill, spinach, parsley, lettuce). The greens themselves can be used both as seasonings for main dishes, and eaten separately, in the form of fresh vegetable salads seasoned with olive oil.
Bean cultures. Especially useful for expectant mothers are fresh peas and beans.
Fruits (watermelon, peach, lemon, orange, pineapple). Also rich in vitamin B9 are freshly squeezed juices from these fruits.
Dairy products (low-fat kefir, cottage cheese, cream, cheese).
Eggs. It is best to eat them boiled, because this is how they retain the greatest amount of nutrients.
Vegetables (pumpkin, eggplant, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, onions). These vegetables can be used to make casseroles, mashed soups, stews and other dishes. As for carrots, it is desirable to use them raw (in addition to salads).

Important! You should be aware that with increased heat treatment, folic acid partially loses its beneficial features. That is why it is better to eat more foods with its content in raw form (greens) or cook such food for a couple (fish, meat).

To really enrich your body with this vitamin, you should eat a balanced diet and minimize the consumption of junk food, namely:

Alcoholic drinks.
Sweet carbonated drinks.
Fast food and semi-finished products.
Sausages and fatty cheeses.
Chips and crackers.
Sweet candies, fatty creams, pastries and cakes.
Salty fish.
Canned food and canned vegetables.

Meals rich in folic acid should be taken at least four times a day. At the same time, portions should not be large. So a woman will avoid overeating, and at the same time, saturate her body with all the useful substances.

Preparations with vitamin B9

Very often, even with a full diet, the body of an adult does not have enough folic acid. To create normal conditions for the conception of a child, future parents may be prescribed a number of drugs with this vitamin. The most effective and safe means of this direction are:

The drug "Folic acid". This tool is considered the most affordable and popular when planning a pregnancy. It has a low cost, and at the same time quite good quality. The dose of folic acid in one such tablet is 1 mg, so it will be enough for a woman to take 1 tablet per day.
Tablets "Folacin". The dosage of folic acid in them is 5 mg. Future parents can prescribe such a remedy only if they have an acute shortage of vitamin B9. It is impossible to take Folacin on your own without a doctor's recommendation, since this drug is considered more therapeutic than prophylactic.
Folio drug. It contains not only vitamin B9, but also iodine, so it will be doubly beneficial for future parents. Also, the advantage of this tool is that it is available in different dosages, so it will be convenient to take it for both women and men.

Combined multivitamin preparations. It can be Elevit, Vitrum or Prenatal Forte. It is necessary to take these funds strictly according to the instructions, since they are available in different dosages. The duration of such therapy should also be determined by the doctor on an individual basis.

Many parents are wondering how much folic acid to drink before pregnancy and how exactly it is best to take it - alone or in combination with other drugs. At the same time, it must be said right away that the observing specialist should decide the features of taking vitamin B9, depending on the specific condition of people who want to become parents.

How to take folic acid when planning a baby

Taking this vitamin requires the following recommendations:

The regularity, dosage, as well as the specific form of the drug must be agreed with the doctor, because sometimes it happens that a woman has enough vitamin B9, a man does not. In this case, the doctor must correctly combine the dosage of the vitamin for future parents.
With prolonged use of this vitamin, it is imperative to control the level of vitamin B12 in the blood.
The daily norm of this vitamin for future parents is 400 mcg, however, when buying different drugs, this dosage may be different for them. This must be taken into account so that the body receives a sufficient amount of the vitamin, but at the same time, an overdose does not occur.
If a woman has already given birth to children with pathologies, then the dosage of this vitamin should be doubled.
With an increase in dosage, it is necessary to cancel the use of hormonal contraceptives.
Due to the fact that a woman needs more folic acid, the dosage of this substance for her may be higher than for a man. In any case, the individual demand of the organism of future parents in such a vitamin is determined by blood tests that need to be taken even during the planning of pregnancy.

How much to drink

The dosage of taking such a vitamin is determined by individual calculations for each person separately. Initially, future parents are assigned a series of tests to accurately determine the level of vitamin B9 in the body. Based on the results of the studies, the specialist will select the desired dosage of drugs.

The doctor needs to carefully select the dosage of this vitamin in the following conditions of patients:

The presence of severe chronic diseases of the liver, intestines, kidneys or heart.
Diseases of the circulatory system and blood vessels.
Hormonal disruptions in the body caused by various factors.
Individual intolerance to foods containing vitamin B9.
Concomitant treatment with antibiotics or hormonal drugs.
Cases where the first pregnancy ended with a fading of fetal development, miscarriage or the birth of a child with obvious pathologies associated with an acute shortage of folic acid.
Depressive state of a woman.

In addition, the doctor must take into account the specific period of pregnancy: is this process still at the planning stage or has the conception already occurred and the woman is carrying the fetus. In both these cases, the dosage of the vitamin should be different. Thus, when planning pregnancy, the daily dose should be no more than 400 mcg, and after conception - up to 800 mcg.

It is best to take folic acid in the form of medicines and vitamin complexes after meals, since this is how the vitamin will be best absorbed. Drinking such drugs on an empty stomach is prohibited.

It should be noted that already in the first weeks of pregnancy, the foundations of the future organs and systems of the child are laid, therefore, vitamin B9 should be started from the first days of gestation.

Moreover, if even before the moment of conception and in the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman and a man did not take vitamin complexes, then the probability of improper formation of the nervous system in the fetus increases significantly. In order to prevent this, in addition to folic acid, it is also important to take additional vitamins, which the observing doctor will definitely prescribe.

As the observations of doctors show, if a woman has enough vitamin B9 in her body, then a healthy placenta is formed in her, which significantly increases favorable conditions for the growth and development of the fetus.

Indications and contraindications for admission

In addition to the pregnancy planning period, vitamin B9 is indicated in the following cases:

The development of anemia, which was associated with the influence of various factors and causes.
Chronic disorders of the digestive system, including constipation, flatulence and diarrhea.
The period of breastfeeding a child, especially if a woman has all sorts of gynecological problems after childbirth, as well as not enough milk.
Radiation exposure of a person at different stages.
Diseases that were provoked by a sharp decrease in the patient's immune system.
An acute shortage of such a substance.

At the same time, it should be understood that this substance is not generally allowed to be taken, so you need to drink it strictly according to the indications.

Refuse to use drugs with folic acid should be in such cases:

Individual intolerance to the body of vitamin B9, when it provokes side effects and all kinds of allergic reactions in a person.
The period of acute diseases of the digestive, nervous, respiratory, vegetative and other body systems that require antibiotics, painkillers or hormonal drugs.

When is the best time to start taking vitamins?

Due to the fact that folic acid is not able to accumulate in the body, it is very important to choose the right specific time to start taking it. Thus, the attending physician needs to accurately determine the optimal period for conceiving a child and prescribe vitamin B9 three months before that moment.

If future parents start taking such a substance already during pregnancy, then the effect of it will not be as great as it would be with the correct calculation of the time of admission. It is for this reason that it is necessary to enrich your body with folic acid strictly after the appointment of an observing specialist.

What Not to Do

In order not to provoke unwanted reactions and side effects, folic acid intake should not be combined with the following groups of drugs:

Antibacterial drugs of any group.
Cytostatics.
Anticonvulsants.
Analgesics.
Hormonal drugs.

Important! With prolonged use of this vitamin, the patient's condition must be monitored by an observing doctor. When the first deterioration in well-being appears, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable.

In the event that a woman becomes ill while taking this vitamin, then before taking antibiotics, analgesics and other types of drugs, she must inform the doctor about this. If necessary, the specialist will reduce the dosage of the vitamin or prescribe approved medications that can be combined with folic acid.

What affects the absorption of vitamin B9

It often happens that future parents before conception, as well as during pregnancy, took folic acid, but subsequently the child still has CNS pathologies that are directly related to a lack of vitamin B9. This happens not because they took the wrong dosage, but because of the lack of auxiliary measures for the absorption of the vitamin.

Much less folic acid is absorbed if a person often takes alcohol, smokes, overworks, and is also in a period of depression.

The intake of potent hormonal and other types of drugs greatly affects the poor absorption of this component. That is why, before planning a pregnancy and starting to take vitamins, a person needs to normalize his psycho-emotional state, give up bad habits and treat chronic diseases.

Is there a risk of overdose

A distinctive feature of vitamin B9, unlike vitamin e and other microelements, is that with an overabundance, it begins to be actively excreted from the body, so the likelihood of an overdose is very small. Moreover, even if a person accidentally takes a large dose of folic acid, the side effects from this will not be dangerous to health.

Despite this, the good tolerance of vitamin B9 does not mean at all that it can be taken uncontrollably, because then instead of the expected benefits for pregnancy, only harm will be delivered to her.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the intake of folic acid as part of combined vitamin preparations. In this case, future parents should follow the exact instructions and dosage.

Otherwise, additional components of the product can provoke indigestion, poisoning and other unpleasant consequences.

Benefits for men

When planning pregnancy, men need folic acid due to its following properties in relation to the body of the future dad:

Increased motility and penetration of spermatozoa.
A significant increase in the likelihood of conceiving a strong, healthy child.
Reducing the risk of further pathologies in the fetus.
Reducing the number of low-quality spermatozoa that can disrupt the DNA structure and express themselves in pathologies in a child.
Reducing the likelihood of passing genetic diseases from father to child.

The lack of certain substances in the human body leads to health problems. Not only vitamins C, E, A, but also folic acid perform their functions. For men, when planning a pregnancy, this substance is just as important as for expectant mothers. Useful must be included in the diet of people of all ages.

What is folic acid?

Everything in nature needs updating. In autumn, the leaves of the trees fall, and new ones come in their place in the spring. The same thing happens with the human body. Cells are updated regularly. If a person eats properly, happens a lot in the fresh air and sleeps at least 8 hours a day, all processes proceed without failures, the immune system works at full strength. But the wrong lifestyle leads to a deficiency of vitamins. Water-soluble B 9 - folic acid is responsible for the development of new cells. For men, when planning a pregnancy, the substance plays an important role.

Scientists have found that a lack of vitamin B 9 in the body can lead to disruption of the bone marrow. Red blood cells are no longer produced in the right amount. As a result, anemia occurs, the result of which will be a number of concomitant diseases. Thus, we can conclude that the daily diet should be saturated with vitamins and microelements necessary for health. We must not forget about folic acid.

grown men?

It is so inherent in nature that the male body must constantly be ready for conception. This is the difference between a gentleman and the weaker sex. The egg in women matures only once a month. But spermatozoa in men are formed constantly, regardless of the time of year and day of the week. If a couple cannot conceive a child for a long period, the question arises: is everything in order with the health of the representative of the stronger sex? Be sure to check the quality of sperm. when planning a child plays an important role. A lack of vitamin B 9 can lead to a decrease in the number of viable spermatozoa.

The lack of the right amount of folic acid in the body often contributes to the development of gene mutations. If both in a couple take vitamins before conception, this significantly increases the chances of a healthy baby being born. Both a man and a woman should start drinking folic acid no later than 3 months before the intended conception.

Folic Acid for Teenage Boys

Vitamin B 9 is responsible for the formation of new cells. In some cases, folic acid is also prescribed for teenage boys. For men with infertility, the drug is prescribed in an increased dosage. For boys, vitamin medicine can be used to regulate spermatogenesis. If a teenager has violations in this area, it will be possible to correct the situation much more effectively at an early age. If you let the problem take its course, the chances of not curing infertility increase at all.

This does not mean at all that a boy should take folic acid preparations from an early age. No pills can be given to a child without a doctor's recommendation. All parents need to do is to monitor their son's lifestyle. He should regularly be in the fresh air, eat well, sleep enough. It is necessary to seek help if the child lags behind in physical development from his peers. Most likely, in this case, the boy will be prescribed folic acid in combination with hormonal drugs. For men, when planning pregnancy, vitamin B 9 tablets are also prescribed. Although you can replace the pharmacy drug with foods rich in folic acid.

What should be included in the daily diet when planning conception?

If you use the right products, there will be no need to take pharmaceutical products. Where is folic acid found? For men, when planning a pregnancy, meat must be included in the diet. This product is considered a storehouse of various vitamins and minerals. Most folic acid is found in beef. If you eat at least 200-300 g of this product daily, the need for the use of drugs containing B 9 will disappear.

All people, regardless of age, should eat pork or beef liver. It also contains folic acid for men. When planning pregnancy, the dosage can be 100-150 g per day. It is worth supplementing the diet with other foods containing vitamin B 9. Always in the composition of dietary supplements for "male power" includes brewer's yeast. They also contain enough folic acid for men when planning a child. Reviews show that the use of multivitamin preparations is not mandatory if the family diet is rich. Both partners should eat right.

Speaking about brewer's yeast, many representatives of the stronger sex can remember beer. But in fact, those who are planning to conceive a child will have to forget about alcohol. Beer is a real sperm killer. Indeed, folic acid is found in the foamy drink. But a beneficial effect on the body is not to be expected.

folic acid tablets

Any pharmaceutical preparations cannot be an alternative to a good diet. But if for a long time it is not possible to conceive a child, a specialist may prescribe a medicine in tablets. How much folic acid should be contained in one tablet for men when planning a pregnancy (mg)? This question is very important. After all, pharmacies offer drugs with different dosages: from 0.5 to 5 mg. Tablets allow you to more accurately calculate the amount of folic acid consumed per day. Before you start taking the medicine, you should consult your doctor. In most cases, the specialist will prescribe the minimum dosage, while recommending enriching your diet with foods containing folic acid in sufficient quantities.

Indications for the use of tablets

When planning conception, folic acid for men may not always be prescribed. Reviews of experts show that a number of concomitant diseases serve as the reason for using the tablet preparation. The first is macrocytic anemia. Also, the representatives of the stronger sex are prescribed a medicine if infertility was previously diagnosed, even if the quality of the sperm is currently at a high level.

Boys during puberty are prescribed folic acid if there is a developmental delay. Vitamin B 9 stimulates spermatogenesis. For some sexual dysfunctions, folic acid can also be prescribed in combination with other drugs. For men, when planning pregnancy, the dosage is chosen exclusively by the doctor. For children, the vitamin helps to stimulate memory and the functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, the drug can be used to treat hyperactive babies. Although in this case, therapy has nothing to do with reproductive function.

How should you take folic acid?

It would seem that all that is worth paying attention to when folic acid is prescribed for men when planning a pregnancy is the dosage. Reviews of experts show that it is also necessary to choose the right time to take the drug. It is impossible to eat a tablet after a meal, washing it down with a sufficient amount of water. It is a fat-soluble substance, so it is better to drink the capsule during a meal. In addition, vitamin B 9 is absorbed in direct proportion to vitamin B 12. And if you additionally use foods rich in ascorbic acid, all B vitamins are perfectly absorbed.

We must also not forget that folic acid does not have the ability to accumulate in the body. Therefore, it is worth starting taking the drug a few months before conception and not missing a single day until the onset of pregnancy. Women should continue taking the drug throughout the entire period of bearing a baby.

What should be the dosage?

If it is impossible to replenish with the help of the diet, it is worth purchasing the drug. It is advisable to take it on the recommendation of a doctor. For each specific situation, the dosage of the drug will be different. Men who plan to conceive are prescribed 200 mcg per day.

Over the past decades, the average age of future fathers and mothers who decide to have offspring for the first time has increased markedly.

“Mature” parents realize that such an important event as the conception of a baby cannot be left to chance. Therefore, couples often begin with a visit to the doctor.

At the first appointment, along with a referral to the doctor, he will issue a list of medications that are recommended to be taken. Among them, “folic acid” will certainly be noted as a separate item.

The human body needs only 50 micrograms of folic acid daily to maintain vital activity, this is a necessary, but vital minimum.

A derivative of folic acid - tetrahydrofolate - is involved in the most important biochemical transformations at the cellular level.

Its sufficient content in the body is required for:

full flow of metabolic processes;
synthesis of blood and;
reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis, processes that cause cardiac arrest and spasm of cerebral vessels;
uninterrupted operation of the digestive system, the release of its enzymes;
protection against poisoning, intoxication;
maintaining immunity.

The negative effects of vitamin B9 deficiency in the body can be felt almost immediately: loss of energy, depressed mood, increased irritability, lack of appetite - these are all symptoms of folate deficiency.

Fortunately, nature has made sure that this vital element is at maximum availability for humans: all types of leafy plants contain folacin (from the Latin folium - “leaf”).

Almost all plant foods contain folic acid in varying amounts. And there is a lot of it in animal products.

A certain amount of this trace element is synthesized by the normal intestinal microbiota and is located in the liver on the most “rainy day”.

Therefore, with a full-fledged varied diet, the human body is able to provide itself with the necessary trace element.

However, it happens that the need for folic acid increases sharply and for a long time: during illness, injury, taking antibiotics, increased stress and physical activity, in childhood and adolescence, during pregnancy, during lactation, etc., etc. And then an additional source of this trace element is required.

The lack of vitamin B9 in a woman's body at the time of pregnancy, which a young mother may not be aware of, leads to irreparable malformations of the fetus, miscarriage, stillbirth or the birth of an unviable child.

Satisfying the body's need for folic acid allows the parent herself to maintain her own health and preserve beauty.

The Need for Folic Acid for Future Dads

We should not forget, however, that two partners are involved in the process of conceiving a child, and therefore, father's high-quality "material" is an important condition for creating healthy offspring.

Taking folic acid before pregnancy is important in this case as a factor that increases the number of motile viable spermatozoa with the correct set of chromosomes.

Evidence-based medicine claims that additional intake of vitamin B9 by a partner increases the likelihood of conception and the chances of bearing a fetus, and also reduces the risk of developing fetal pathologies associated with chromosomal abnormalities.

In addition, the absence of hypovitaminosis in folate has a positive effect on the general state of men's health. And it will be very useful for the young dad of a small baby.

The optimal daily requirement for folic acid for future parents until the moment of conception of a child is determined individually, depending on whether there is an initial hypovitaminosis.

Initially, the doctor will prescribe a standard dose of folacin to the parents, and, if necessary, based on the data of a biochemical blood test, will adjust it.

Even if both parents lead a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet, you still need to take pharmaceutical forms of folic acid when planning a pregnancy.

Since the intake of folacin with food is sufficient only for the current vital activity of the body, at best. The fact is that it is problematic to preserve vitamin B9 during cooking and storage. And the freshest vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs directly from the garden are not available to everyone and not always.

Unless otherwise required by the health status and lifestyle of the expectant mother, folic acid intake for women at the stage of pregnancy planning is required to prevent folate beriberi, 400 mcg daily.

After pregnancy, the daily requirement for the vitamin will increase.

In the pharmacy, you can find preparations with different concentrations of folic acid per tablet - from 400 mcg to 5 mg.

It is preferable if vitamin B9 enters the body of a woman, which are created taking into account the needs of the mother's body during pregnancy and in a combination of macro- and microelements that is favorable for mutual assimilation.

If the doctor has fixed a folic acid deficiency in the patient's body or for other reasons that increase the woman's daily need for vitamin B9 (epilepsy, diabetes, smoking, addiction to alcohol, work in hazardous industries, etc.), she is prescribed a treatment doses of the drug up to 5 mg per day.

The treatment course usually lasts about a month. Also, in a therapeutic dosage, folic acid is prescribed to women for whom there is a high probability of pregnancy with the development of defects in the neural tube of the embryo: for a hereditary reason or with a pregnancy already experienced with a similar outcome.

For a man

If the spermogram of a man is in perfect order? then he is prescribed folic acid for prevention - 400 mcg daily.

If the analysis of the seminal fluid of the future father showed the presence of defective spermatozoa above the permissible norm (more than 4%), then among other measures, the doctor will prescribe an increased intake of vitamin B9 - from 700 mcg to 1000 mcg per day, rarely up to 5 mg per day (depending on from the degree of hypovitaminosis according to a blood test).

Again, taking folic acid medications for a man when a couple is planning a pregnancy is necessary if attempts to conceive a child have been unsuccessful for at least six months.

If the future parents are not diagnosed with infertility, then the dad will receive general recommendations from the doctor on improving health, as well as specific recommendations on taking folic acid.

Course duration

WHO recommendations suggest that a woman, if she is healthy, take a daily prophylactic dose of folic acid throughout the planning stage of pregnancy and, for another 12 weeks after the onset of conception.

It is advisable to start for both partners at least three months, and preferably six months before the transition to "active actions" to conceive a child.

If, during the initial examination, vitamin deficiency was recorded in one of the partners, then conception should be postponed, and folic acid intake should be continued until the level of folacin in the blood is compensated.

The frightening consequences of an overdose of folic acid, which are reported by some sources, should not be guarded against. This happens extremely rarely and with a gigantic long-term excess of the dose prescribed by the doctor. Much more dangerous is the deficiency of folic acid in the body, especially at the stage of pregnancy planning.

(vitamin B9) is vital important vitamin. It is involved in metabolic processes, including DNA synthesis, is responsible for the formation of blood cells, is necessary for the formation of immunity, and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The vitamin is especially important for pregnant women., because it is involved in the formation of the neural tube of the fetus, preventing malformations of its development. In addition, folic acid plays an important role in the formation of the placenta.

Folic acid deficiency does not always show visible symptoms. But at the same time, studies have shown that vitamin B9 deficiency is observed in 20-100% of the population, depending on the region. This is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies.. At the same time, even in the absence of any clinical manifestations, the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases, immunity decreases.

First of all, with a deficiency of folic acid, anemia occurs. With this type of anemia, not only the number of red blood cells decreases, but their function is also impaired, since most of them leave the bone marrow immature. If this deficit is not corrected, symptoms such as loss of appetite, irritability, fatigue occur, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss. Skin changes, painful sores in the mouth and throat may appear.

Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy primarily affects the nervous system of the fetus, increases the risk of developing hydrocephalus, anencephaly (absence of the brain), cerebral hernia, delayed mental and physical development of the unborn child. There is a high risk of defects in the spinal column, for example, its non-closure ("open back"). In addition, a deficiency of this vitamin can cause premature termination of pregnancy, placental insufficiency.

The need for a vitamin in an adult is 200 mcg per day, in pregnant women - 400 mcg per day.

What foods contain folic acid:

The main source of the vitamin is wholemeal flour. This vitamin is also abundant in spinach, parsley, lettuce, green peas, beans. Relatively large amounts of folic acid are present in citrus fruits and their juices, in asparagus and avocados. Of animal products, it is the richest liver. In a much smaller amount, it is present in fish, meat, cheeses.

Vegetarians are not usually deficient in folic acid, as they eat a lot of plant foods, including greens. But if you do not use them constantly in large quantities, then you need to additionally take folic acid in the form of tablets and as part of vitamins, since in this case it is enough it is difficult to meet the body's need for folic acid only through food especially during the cold season.

With a normal composition of the intestinal microflora, a small amount of folic acid can be synthesized by the body on its own.

Accelerates the excretion of the drug from the body strong tea. In addition, some drugs increase the need for folic acid: oral contraceptives, antacids (400 mcg, in Pregnawit- 750 mcg. That is, in all preparations there is a sufficient prophylactic dose, so the dose of folic acid should be selected taking into account its preparation in a multivitamin complex. If you are not deficient in folic acid, you do not need to take additional folic acid if you are taking any prenatal vitamins.

When should the drug be taken?

The drug is most important during pregnancy. The need for pregnancy is 400 mcg (according to some sources, 800 mcg) per day, but if there is a vitamin deficiency in the body, a large dose is required to compensate for this deficiency. The neural tube begins to form on the 16-28th day after conception. These days, a woman may not be aware of her pregnancy, and may not start taking folic acid on time. That's why the drug is prescribed at the stage of pregnancy planning. The most important thing is to take the drug in the first 12 weeks pregnancy.

Some women are afraid of an overdose of the drug. An overdose of the drug is extremely rare., only if you take the drug in doses hundreds of times higher than the body's need (20-30 tablets per day). In other cases, the excess of the drug is simply excreted from the body (during pregnancy, the excretion of the drug from the body is accelerated), without adversely affecting it. However, as with all medicines, allergic reactions can occur.

The drug should be taken when breastfeeding at a dose of 300 mcg per day (can be in the composition of multivitamins). This prevents the development of deficiency in both mother and baby. If you take the drug in about In larger doses (for example, one tablet of folic acid, that is, 1000 mcg), then the excess will simply be excreted from the mother's body, without adversely affecting either her or the child.

The drug must be taken at a dose exceeding the prophylactic dose, firstly if there are symptoms of a deficiency of this vitamin (in this case, the dose is selected individually, additional consultation with the therapist is required), and secondly, if there are factors that increase the intake of folic acid or accelerate its excretion. This is taking oral contraceptives before pregnancy, taking almagel or phosphalugel, anticonvulsants at the planning stage and during pregnancy, a protein diet before pregnancy, a lack of plant foods in the diet, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and vomiting in pregnant women. If you have any of the above factors, then when planning pregnancy and in the first 12 weeks, the drug should be taken 2-3 tablets per day. Besides, increase the dose of folic acid if there is a high risk of developing neural tube defects. This risk is increased in women with epilepsy, with diabetes, and if there are any malformations in relatives.

Folic acid is the only vitamin whose importance during pregnancy is not denied even by ardent opponents of artificial vitamins and drugs in general. Therefore, even if you do not want to take any "extra" drugs during pregnancy, do not refuse to take folic acid at least in preventive doses, and this will save you and your baby from many problems. Although sometimes it does not hurt to compare the dose that you will be prescribed with the body's needs for this vitamin.