How much folic acid do you need

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Overview What is folic acid? Folate is the natural form of this vitamin. It's found in leafy green vegetables, oranges, nuts, and beans. Folic acid is the man-made form. It's put into vitamin pills and fortified foods, such as fortified breakfast cereals. Most people just say "folic acid" for either form of this vitamin. What is the recommended daily amount? Here are the daily recommended amounts of folic acid: footnote 1 Babies 0—6 months old need 65 mcg micrograms DFE each day.

Babies 7—12 months old need 80 mcg DFE each day. Children 1—3 years old need mcg DFE each day. Children years old need mcg DFE each day. Children 9—13 years old need mcg DFE each day. Children over 13 years old need mcg DFE each day.

Men need mcg DFE each day. Women's needs vary. Pregnant women need mcg DFE each day. Breastfeeding women need mcg DFE each day. Folate deficiency during pregnancy can lead to neural tube irregularities, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Because of its importance for health, the Food and Drug Administration FDA require manufacturers to add folic acid to enriched bread, pasta, rice, cereals, and other grain products in the United States. Since they introduced this, the number of babies born with neural tube irregularities has decreased.

Taking folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy will help prevent neural tube irregularities in the fetus. It may also reduce the risks of preterm birth, heart irregularities, and cleft palate , among other things. The Office of Dietary Supplements say that all women who could soon become pregnant should take micrograms mcg of folic acid daily — from supplements or fortified foods — alongside the folate they get from their regular diet.

People with lower levels of folate may be more likely to experience depression. However, taking folic acid supplements could make depression medications more effective. Some research suggests that taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy could reduce the chance that the baby will have autism. However, the study results are not conclusive, and more research will be necessary to determine the potential role of folic acid.

Doctors may use folic acid to support a methotrexate prescription for rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate is an effective medication for this condition, but it may remove folate from the body, causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Most people get enough folate from their diet, and folate deficiency is rare in the United States. That being said, official guidelines recommend that all pregnant women and women who might become pregnant take folic acid. This is because folic acid is crucial for early fetal development.

The spinal cord is one of the first parts of the body to form, and folate deficiency can lead to spinal cord irregularities.

Those who are breastfeeding should aim to take around mcg per day. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This causes folate deficiency anaemia, which can cause tiredness and other symptoms.

In pregnancy A baby's body and most of their internal organs are formed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Women need up to 10 times more folate in pregnancy to help the baby develop. To reduce the side effects of methotrexate Methotrexate works by blocking some of the effects of folate. Taking folic acid can help prevent the side effects of folate deficiency.

How long does folic acid take to work? Folic acid usually starts to work in a few hours. It's important to keep taking your folic acid for as long as it's recommended.

How long will I take it for? This depends on why you're taking folic acid: In pregnancy - women are recommended to take folic acid while they're trying for a baby and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Are there other sources of folate? Good sources of folate include: spinach, kale, asparagus, brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli peas, lentils and beans including chickpeas and black eyed beans yeast and beef extracts including Marmite and Bovril oranges and orange juice wheat bran and other wholegrain foods poultry, pork, shellfish and liver fortified foods with added folic acid including some brands of breakfast cereals.

Do I need to take folic acid in pregnancy if I already eat foods that contain folate? Yes, you still need to take folic acid. Women need up to 10 times more folate in pregnancy to help the baby grow. It's unlikely that you would be able to achieve this through diet alone. Why do I need to take folic acid before getting pregnant?

So it's best to start taking folic acid as soon as you start trying for a baby. Taking folic acid in early pregnancy reduces this risk to 1 in every What happens if I do not take folic acid before getting pregnant or during early pregnancy?

If you have not taken folic acid before getting pregnant, talk to your doctor or midwife. They'll be able to advise you what this means for your pregnancy. They'll take into consideration your risk of folate deficiency and medical history. Can I take folic acid with painkillers? You can take folic acid at the same time as everyday painkillers such as paracetamol. Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Can I drink alcohol with it? Drinking alcohol might mean your folic acid may not work as well.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat and drink normally while taking folic acid. Will it affect my contraception?

Folic acid will not stop any contraception working. Will it affect my fertility? There's no evidence that folic acid reduces fertility in men or women. Can I drive or ride a bike? Yes, you can. Folic acid does not affect you being able to drive or cycle.