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Importance of Folic acid during pregnancy

Many women do not understand the importance of regular folic acid intake before and during pregnancy, and how without it they put their unborn child at risk before they have even conceived.

Folic acid is a form of the B, sometimes called folate or folacin vitamin that aids in the regular cellular development and regeneration, and is especially crucial within the first weeks of your unborn baby’s development. It helps to insure proper formation of the brain and spinal cord which end up is usually related with Neural Tube Disorder.

The neural tube is an embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord.

Spina bifida is the the most common neural tube defect which is an incomplete closure of the spinal cord and spinal column and  anencephaly in which the brain is not developed properly.

The recommended dietary allowance of folic acid for women planning a baby and those already pregnant is 400 mcg daily. And even the recent studies have shown that 70% of women who consume 400 micrograms of folate daily have decreased risk of Neural Tude Disorder in their babies. Because folic acid plays a major role in the formation of tissues and cell growth. Even folic acid reduced the risk of stroke and heart diseases. Not only heart disease but also for the formation of hemoglobin.

Folic acid is found mostly in leafy green vegetables like leafy vegetables and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains and in extra you can take some vitamin supplements in addition of natural diet.

Consume more cereals, breads, pastas, oatmeal, and rice,  lentils, beans, chickpeas, chicken and beef liver which contains folic acid.

Try to have a large bowl of salad containing vegetables like peas, corn, cauliflower, green pepper, beetroot, mustard greens, ladyfinger.

Nuts that are rich in Folate are almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, walnuts, sesame seeds.

Quantity of folates in natural foods:

a)      1/2 cup of cooked lentils contins 175 mcg

b)      One cup noodles contains 160 mcg

c)      1/2 cup spinach cooked contains 130 mcg

d)      1/2 cup chickpeas contains 140 mcg

e)      1 cup white rice contains 60 mcg

f)        1large potato cooked contains 39 mcg

g)      1 papaya contains 115 mcg.

h)      1 orange contains 54 mcg

i)        1 boiled egg contains 22 mcg