What is folate?
Folate deficiency in the mother can lead to lack of developed brain and spina bifida in the child. Folate is a B vitamin that is necessary for the genetic material, DNA, is to be copied.
Folate is also essential for cell division, including the formation of red blood cells and synthesis of proteins.
Other names for folate is folic acid, folic acid and folacin.
Folate is important for the embryo to develop normally during pregnancy, and lack of folate is associated with spina bifida and incomplete development of the brain. folate-rich foods, green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are natural sources that are high in folate. In addition, folic acid include meat, liver, eggs, bread and other grain products, dry beans and citrus fruits.
When should you take folic acid?
It is recommended that all women planning pregnancy take folic acid, preferably before pregnancy, and until completed 3 months of pregnancy.
The closing of the spinal cord occurs early in pregnancy. If you have not taken folic acid supplements before pregnancy, it is therefore important that you get started with the grant as soon as possible when you learn that you are pregnant.
Not NOK in the diet
In 1998, concluded researchers from the National nutritional advice that Norwegian women of childbearing age do not receive NOK folate in the diet to reduce the risk that their children will be born with spina bifida, and that it therefore should be initiated measures to increase folic acid intake among women who plan pregnancy.
Among researchers, it is agreed that folic acid intake should be sufficient for at least three months before a possible pregnancy. Average is not Kari and Ola in more than 200 micrograms - half the recommended dose. We must double their intake of green vegetables.
Folate Diet Government nutritional recommend this diet if you do not like taking pills, but will ensure an average daily dose of 400 micrograms of folate: Breakfast: 2 slices wholemeal bread with jam and cheese, and orange juice . Between Meals: Raw fruits or vegetables Lunch: 2 slices wholemeal bread with varied toppings, garnish with raw fruits or vegetables. Coffee or tea. Dinner: Fish or meat every other day, raw vegetables or salad, boiled vegetables, boiled potatoes, dry beans, rice or pasta, usually with a roll or bread to. Water to drink. Supper: Bread, crackers, cereal or bread, milk or yogurt, eventulet some cheese. Fruit and vegetables should you eat all day and then to supper. Five a day is a good rule, especially if you are pregnant or plan to become one.
Fewer malformations A Hungarian study from the beginning of the 1990s clearly shows that supplementation of folic acid will have a beneficial effect. In Hungary, it was particularly poor diet and many children were born with spina bifida: Women who were planning pregnancy were randomly divided into two groups. One group received a multivitamin and trace element supplements contained 0.8 mg. folate, and the other group received a trace element and vitamin C preparation without folic acid. In the "folate group," there were no cases of spina bifida among 2104 pregnancies, while in the other group were six cases among 2052 pregnancies. The conclusion from this and many other studies is that the incidence of spina bifida is reduced by 50-70 percent if the mother's folate status is good. The Hungarian survey also showed that an adequate folic acid supplementation resulted in fewer other abnormalities, most commonly in the urinary tract and heart, but also a harelip. Women with increased risk to give birth to children with spina bifida, must have a folic acid supplement of at least 400 micrograms. This applies primarily to women who have spina bifida, have a spouse with this deformity, or who have children born with "open back". The risk that the unborn child when the strike rate is two to four percent.
