I'm sure that you already know that folic acid is important in the lead up to conception and during
pregnancy to help to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. But what does that really mean?
In this episode of Nourish, I'm going to explain what folic acid does and describe some additional
benefits that you may be getting from your folic acid supplement during pregnancy...
and some risks of taking too much! Stay tuned!
Hi! If this is our first time connecting, welcome!
My name is Melanie McGrice and I'm a fertility and prenatal dietitian. I help couples boost
their fertility and give their baby's the best start possible with the power of good food.
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say hi to me on my socials....you'll find all the details in the description box below this video.
So, folic acid....
Folic acid is a type of vitamin B. B vitamins are a collection of vitamins used for metabolic
processes, which is a fancy way of saying that they help our body to run. They're involved
in basic functions such as digesting foods and building new cells, so you can understand that
it's essential that we get enough every day of our lives, but especially during pregnancy when
your body is not only maintaining your daily functioning, but building a baby as well.
Which leads up to benefit number 1: reducing the risk of neural tube defects.
When you conceive, your egg and your partner's sperm join together to become an embryo. The cells
of the embryo divide to create more cells and the embryo implants into the wall of your uterus.
Now remember how we said that folic acid is a B vitamin, so involved in metabolism?
Well, folic acid plays an important role in helping cells to divide,
which is obviously an essential role in these first days and weeks of life.
The first part of your baby that is formed is your baby's neural tube. Our neural tube is
our brain and spinal cord which includes all our neurons, or nerve cells, that are cells that are
responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, sending motor commands to
our muscles and relaying electrical signals to different parts of our body. So, if some
cells aren't divided properly, this can result in damage to the neural tube, or miscarriage.
I hope that helps make things a little clearer for you.
But, as I mentioned, that's not folic acid's only job during pregnancy!
Benefit number 2: boosting fertility Studies suggest that women who take a
nutritional supplement that includes folic acid are more likely to get pregnant within 12 months.
For example, one study of women who took a folic acid supplement for 3 months found that 26% became
pregnant compared to only 10% of women who weren't taking folic acid. It's likely that
the reason that women who take a folic acid supplement have higher rates of conception is
that the neural tube is able to develop with less issues, however, this still hasn't been proven.
Benefit number 3: reducing the risk of anemia Your blood volume increases by 150% during
pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to your placenta and baby.
Folic acid plays an important role in building red blood cells, so without adequate amounts you can
develop a condition called anemia. Anemia simply means that you don't have an adequate number of
red blood cells for your needs, and this can leave you feeling tired and short of breath.
Benefit number 4: prevention of pre-term birth
Pre-term birth is defined as going into labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy. When you go into
labour early, your baby isn't as well developed, so it increases the risks of health complications.
Now, the reason for the link between folate deficiency and pre-term birth is not yet known,
but studies suggest that women who have a folate deficiency, are indeed at higher risk of pre-term
birth. One of the most common causes of pre-term birth is an inflammatory response often caused
by an infection; folate is also important for a healthy immune system, so you can see how women
who are low in folate may be more susceptible to infection, and consequently, pre-term birth.
Benefit number 5: minimising the risk of growth restriction
Earlier we discussed the importance of folate for cell division and growth,
so it's no surprise that studies also suggest a link between folate deficiency and an increased
risk of growth restriction. A lack of growth during pregnancy is technically known as
'small for gestational age' or 'SGA'. Delivering a small baby
means that your baby has a higher risk of struggling with their weight later in life.
So, you can see that folic acid is really important when you're trying to conceive
and pregnant....but make sure that you speak to a dietitian to ensure that you're getting
the right dose for your personal needs...too much can be as detrimental as too little.
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments box below, and if you haven't done so already,
download my free fertility meal plan from www.melaniemcgrice.com/fertility. And, make sure
you check out some of my other fertility videos on topics such as which nuts are best for fertility.
I'll see you in my next video!