If you’re planning to start a family, it would be best to take folic acid supplements at least a month before getting pregnant. A dose of 400mcg a day lowers the risk of your baby developing neural tube defects.
Folic acid is a man-made form of vitamin B9 (also known as folate). It is an essential vitamin that plays important roles in DNA replication, amino acid synthesis and vitamin metabolism. In pregnancy, folic acid is especially important and required in higher amounts. This is because it additionally functions to ensure healthy growth and development of the foetus. Not getting enough folic acid during pregnancy leads to higher risk of developing neural tube defects (NTDs).
This story is from the June 2018 edition of Health Today Malaysia.
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This story is from the June 2018 edition of Health Today Malaysia.
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