How should I supplement folic acid after pregnancy?

As we all know, women need to take folic acid when preparing for pregnancy, but in fact, after pregnancy, they still need to continue taking folic acid for the stability of the fetus and to prevent fetal malformations. Especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Since many pregnant women do not know how to take folic acid, they will have a lot of troubles. Next, we will introduce how to take folic acid after women become pregnant.

Some expectant mothers feel that taking pills is not as safe as food supplements, so if food supplements are possible, they would try not to take pills. Although green leafy vegetables, fruits, and animal livers contain a lot of folic acid, folic acid is relatively unstable. Food loses up to 50% to 90% during storage, processing, and cooking. Heating, in particular, causes the greatest damage to folic acid. Therefore, it is almost impossible to reach the daily standard of 0.4 mg required during pregnancy through dietary supplements.

A survey shows that the average daily dietary folic acid intake of women of childbearing age in my country is less than 0.266 mg. If the loss during cooking is deducted, the actual intake is less than 0.2 mg, far below the 0.4 mg recommended by the Chinese Nutrition Society and the World Health Organization. Therefore, it is still necessary to take folic acid tablets. As long as they are taken according to the doctor's instructions, there will be no side effects and expectant mothers do not need to worry.

Taking folic acid in large doses for a long time will interfere with the metabolism of zinc in the human body and lead to zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency in expectant mothers not only affects their own health, causing decreased immunity, aggravated pregnancy reactions, and loss of appetite, but also affects the growth and development of the baby. However, expectant mothers do not need to be afraid. There will be no adverse reactions if they regularly supplement folic acid while eating a normal diet.

In addition to the folic acid tablets mentioned above, some nutrient supplements specifically for pregnant women and milk powder for pregnant women also contain folic acid. Pregnant mothers and expectant mothers can choose according to their specific circumstances, but no matter which one they choose, they must calculate the amount of folic acid supplemented per day. The total amount should reach 0.4 mg, and should not exceed 1 mg at most.

Although folic acid can be supplemented through food, the folic acid content in food is very low, so you still need to take folic acid tablets. However, folic acid should neither be supplemented too much nor too little, so it is important to control the amount. Pregnant women can take it during the first three months of pregnancy.