The most important thing:
- Why is folic acid so important?
- Special considerations for folic acid intake during pregnancy
- What is spina bifida?
- Prevention and treatment of spina bifida
Our body needs folic acid (folate) for the synthesis of new cells and to maintain normal functions. But what happens when this important nutrient is lacking?
In this article, you will learn about the most important biological effects of folic acid, as well as the conditions that can result from its deficiency in the body. And perhaps most importantly:
Why is it so important for women who want to have and raise a healthy child?
Continue reading to find the answers to all these questions.
What is folic acid?
Folic Acid and Folates
Folate is part of the B-vitamin complex. We get it from eating dark green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, nuts, citrus fruits, bananas, melons, etc. Folate is easily absorbed from these foods, but unfortunately, our bodies find it difficult to store large amounts of it.
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate. It can be added to various foods such as cereals, rice, bread, and others. Alternatively, it can be taken as a dietary supplement. Folacid Meta is a new-generation folic acid product that is rapidly absorbed by the body and helps to control a deficiency of this important nutrient.
Folic Acid Function
Folic acid is involved in numerous biosynthetic reactions in our body. It participates in protein metabolism through the synthesis of amino acids and enzyme components. It plays a role in the synthesis of RNA and in iron absorption. Therefore, deficiency often leads to the development of folate-dependent megaloblastic anaemia.
Folic acid plays an essential role in the proper development of the female reproductive system. The first and most important phase in the division of any cell is the replication of the DNA molecule. This is where folic acid plays its most active role.
Folic acid has also been shown to influence mood, as it is involved in the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin and adrenaline.
Folic Acid Requirements
Daily requirements for folic acid vary depending on a person's age. The intake for men and women over 18 years of age (who are not planning a pregnancy) is 400 mcg/day. Women who are planning a pregnancy and those in the first 3 months of pregnancy have the highest daily requirement. For them, the recommended intake is between 600 and 800 mcg/day, and every woman should consult an obstetrician-gynaecologist to determine her individual needs.
There is also an increased need for folic acid in the following cases:
- Persistent vomiting during pregnancy
- Intestinal diseases that lead to poorer absorption
- Use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy
- Pregnant women with proven diabetes mellitus
- Breastfeeding
Folic acid deficiency
When does folate deficiency develop? The most common causes of deficiency are:
- unbalanced diet, poor in fruit and vegetables
- starvation for aesthetic reasons or poverty
- intestinal dysbiosis – impaired absorption of folate by the body
Folic acid deficiency "forces" our body to react with certain symptoms. Initially, these symptoms are non-specific: mild fatigue, weakness, reduced appetite, increased nervous irritability.
Megaloblastic anaemia (a decrease in the number of red blood cells) can develop – folate deficiency in red blood cell formation leads to a reduced number of them in the peripheral blood. Patients complain of general weakness, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, irritability and sleep disturbances.
There are also symptoms affecting the nervous system – tingling and stiffness, most commonly in the lower limbs.
Skin problems are also common – alopecia (hair loss), small sores on the lips (most often at the corners of the mouth) and rashes on the body. The deficiency can also lead to problems with conceiving and carrying a healthy baby to full term.
Folic Acid and Pregnancy
Folic acid deficiency poses a risk at all ages. However, it is particularly dangerous for women who are planning to become pregnant and in early pregnancy, when the baby's (in this case, the foetus') neural tube is forming. A folate deficiency during this period can lead to miscarriage, failure to carry the foetus to term, placental abruption, and congenital malformations.
After birth, a variety of disorders of varying severity may be observed in the newborn – neural tube defects, anencephaly (complete absence of the brain – a condition incompatible with life), cleft palate, spina bifida, and others.
The development of the neural tube begins in the first month of pregnancy. Very often, a woman is not yet aware that she is pregnant. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to start taking folic acid when planning a pregnancy. This way, the woman's body can have the necessary reserves for the correct development of the foetus.
It is recommended that all women of reproductive age who are planning to become pregnant start taking folic acid. A product such as Folacid Meta is the right choice for the rapid absorption of this important nutrient.
Getting folate from food is not always as easy as it seems. When food is heat-treated (baking, frying, etc.), some of the folates are destroyed, which means we should include a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables in our diet. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced daily lives, we are choosing fewer and fewer fresh vegetables.
What is spina bifida?
Spina bifida is a congenital condition in which the spine and spinal cord are abnormally formed and their function is impaired. The formation of the embryonic spinal cord occurs by the 28th day of pregnancy. For this reason, it is very important to prepare the female body to provide the necessary building blocks for the formation and development of a healthy foetus.
The cause of spina bifida is the closure of the neural tube in the wrong place, leaving a part of it open. This most commonly occurs in the lumbar region of the spine.
Spina bifida is characterised by. The disease has three forms: occulta spina bifida, myelomeningocele and meningocele.
Occulta is the mildest and most common form of the condition. Occulta means hidden. It is the result of the improper closure of a few vertebrae, leaving the spine open but covered by skin. Often, this variant goes unnoticed and the person is unaware of its presence. It is discovered incidentally during medical imaging.
Meningomyelocele is the most severe form. It is also known as open spina bifida. In this case, due to the improper closure of the vertebrae, the spinal canal is open. A thin, membranous sac forms on the baby's back, which is not covered by skin and is constantly exposed to external influences. Most often, this form is accompanied by an inability to move the lower limbs and impaired function of the bladder and abdominal organs.
Meningocele is a rare form in which a sac filled with cerebrospinal fluid protrudes through an opening in the canal. The symptoms are mild and are characterised only by mild dysfunction of the bladder and bowel.
Prevention and treatment
Treatment depends on the type of clinical form. Surgical intervention can be performed during pregnancy or to correct the defect after birth. The operation is performed shortly after birth to prevent infection. Surgical intervention can be performed as a preventative measure to prevent compression of the nerves in the lower limbs and dysfunction of the bladder and bowel.
The later the surgery is performed, the greater the risks are for these patients. In the open form of the condition, the visible part of the spinal cord is covered only by a membrane, which can easily become infected. Combined with the children's weak immune system, this is an ideal condition for infections to develop.
These children should be cared for in a very hygienic environment, and contact with ill people should be limited. The area of the defect should be kept as far away as possible from contact with contaminated and rough surfaces so that it is not damaged or infected.
Milder forms of the disease are discovered incidentally during imaging. They do not require specific treatment unless the patient has symptoms.
Prevention lies in proper family planning – planning the timing of pregnancy. Any woman who wishes to have a child at a specific time must take the necessary responsibility and prepare her body. Folic acid supplementation should begin before conception. This is the only way to correct a potential deficiency of this important nutrient.
FAQ:
What is the treatment for folate deficiency anaemia?
- Treatment consists of improving the diet and taking folic acid as a dietary supplement. We recommend a daily intake of Folacid Meta, which is bioactive and easily absorbed by the body.
Until what month of pregnancy should folic acid be taken?
- Folic acid should be taken throughout the entire pregnancy, and even afterwards, during breastfeeding. Once you stop breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
