It has long been no secret that vitamins are special compounds that are considered to be a kind of catalysts that take part in the most important processes. They play an important role in a woman's body when carrying a child and during lactation. The period of breastfeeding a baby can be associated with a number of negative conditions for the mother.
Brittle hair and nails, bad teeth, poor appetite and increased fatigue - all these signs can haunt a woman in the first months after childbirth. Symptoms may signal a lack of essential substances, including folic acid. When breastfeeding, doctors began to recommend drugs with this substance relatively recently. Why did specialists begin to resort to prescribing the remedy so actively?
Folic acid - what kind of vitamin is this?
It is a water-soluble substance that takes directparticipation in the development and growth of the immune system and the activity of the circulatory organs. Without a sufficient amount of folic acid, significant disturbances occur in these processes. Also useful are its derivatives - tri-, di-polyglutamates (glutamic acid) and others. Together with a water-soluble compound, all these substances make up the folate group. Their deficiency in the body can lead to megaloblastic anemia in patients of mature age.
During childbearing, vitamin B9 prevents the occurrence of defective processes in the neural tube of the fetus. It is included in chewing gums to prevent the risk of gum disease. The substance is prescribed to patients as an independent remedy and in combination with other vitamins. Gynecologists advise starting to take the necessary component already at the stage of preparation for conception, as well as during the period of gestation. Given these properties of the vitamin, is there any doubt that folic acid can be taken while breastfeeding. Medicines developed on its basis are recognized as the most effective in preventing deviations in future babies and babies.
This extremely useful vitamin is present in a number of foods, with which it enters the human body and produces positive effects. It is also synthesized with the participation of intestinal microflora. In most countries, many bakery industries provide for the enrichment of cereal grains with folic acid. When planning a diet with the introduction of this substance, it is important to understand that some partfolates contained in foods are destroyed during heat treatment. This is one of the reasons why doctors prescribe drugs with their presence.
During the life cycle of an individual there are several periods when he urgently needs to saturate his body with vitamin B9. An adult needs it from the age of 20 to 45. A vitamin is no less important for a developing embryo in the mother's womb. Folic acid is also required during breastfeeding. Its lack can lead to cancer even at the stage of fetal development.
Biological function
Let's take a look at the benefits of folic acid while breastfeeding. Figuratively speaking, in the body she is assigned the role of a builder and insurer. She participates in the formation of new structural units and is responsible for their stabilization. Keeps new cells he althy, keeps them in proper condition. That is why the vitamin is needed for infants. After all, at this stage of development, there is an accelerated growth of all vital systems.
This necessary stimulant plays an important role in the processes of DNA replication, as well as in the intensive division of cells in the bone marrow. Thanks to him, all chains of deoxyribonucleic acid remain intact. If this substance is not enough, then the resulting erythrocytes in this organ will begin to increase to abnormal sizes, transforming into megaloblasts, which, in turn, will lead to anemia. Below are the tips,how to take folic acid while breastfeeding. We will tell you what the optimal dose of vitamin should be used for preventive purposes.
What do experts warn about?
Despite all the beneficial properties of the vitamin, experts still recommend that you approach the use of folic acid during breastfeeding correctly. Mom should know about the main features of the substance. It is worth remembering that this is a synthetic form of the vitamin. Unlike a natural substance, it is more difficult to metabolize in the body.
For this process to be successful, an enzyme with extremely high activity is needed. This is dihydrofolate reductase. In the case of a slow metabolic reaction, due to the lack of action of this component, it will be difficult for folic acid to be converted into the form of a natural vitamin. Its positive effect on the body of the mother and the newborn crumbs will decrease significantly. Although the bioavailability of the synthetic compound is believed to be significantly higher than that of the naturally occurring food-derived vitamin.
The bottom line is that it is not the vitamin itself that causes harm to he alth, but the accumulation of its unchanged compounds that could not go into the desired form during the synthesis process. With this approach, the baby may develop autism or cancer. In addition, it will be problematic to determine the amount of presence of vitamin B 12. However, this does not mean at all that you need to abandon a useful pharmaceutical product. Just all these factsindicate that in no case should you self-medicate. Since the synthetic compound is far from safe, it must be taken under the strict supervision of a specialist.
Deficit
What natural causes can contribute to the lack of this valuable organic compound? Its peculiarity is that it is not produced by the body and cannot accumulate in the structural units of our body. Vitamin B9 is broken down in foods under the influence of low temperatures, it is not always able to survive when food is out of the refrigerator. Moreover, it is characterized by partial digestibility, of the folates entering the body, only half of them are absorbed. There are a number of signs by which vitamin deficiency is determined. These include:
- various inflammatory processes;
- hyperpigmentation;
- violations in the work of housing and communal services;
- poor appetite;
- febrile conditions;
- chronic fatigue;
- weakness and apathy;
- depressive disorders.
In the postpartum period, mommy especially needs this vitamin as a restorative remedy. Its lack has a very negative effect on her he alth, even if for some reason she cannot feed the baby. In the presence of the lactation process, folates significantly increase the amount of breast milk, and also positively affect its quality and nutritional value.
The lack of a vitamin negatively affectscondition of the baby: there are significant deterioration in the development of both psychological and physical. The child gains weight poorly and becomes weak. Children with beriberi have poor immunity and are very painful.
Vitamin deficiency over a long period can lead to mental retardation in a child, atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. It is no coincidence that these drugs are prescribed to prevent the risk of preterm birth, the occurrence of various defects in the embryo and growth retardation.
To avoid these conditions, try to visit the pediatrician and gynecologist in a timely manner, replenish your diet with he althy food. Next, we will tell you what foods with a content of folic acid can be consumed with breastfeeding.
Some Features
Due to the fact that industrial medicines containing a useful organic compound have been actively prescribed relatively recently, some women do not even know about their existence. Everyone is already accustomed to using various vitamin complexes, drugs such as Revit, Undevit and products containing ascorbic acid. Most likely, for this reason, many are interested in whether folic acid can be taken while breastfeeding. Experts answer this question unequivocally: "yes". They strongly advise new mothers to pay attention to products with the presence of this essential vitamin.
In addition to medicinal properties, it has some other biological features. It is considered a vitaminjoy, respectively, it is able to relieve nervous tension, eliminate heart palpitations, act calmingly. This is very important for a newborn baby. With this valuable compound in his body, mothers can be calm about the he althy sleep of the crumbs. Folic acid also has a positive effect on the condition of the gums. Therefore, it greatly facilitates the process of teething in the baby.
Usage rules
Some mistakenly believe that he althy vitamins can be self-prescribed. To think so is fundamentally wrong. Despite the already established standard norms, some mothers need individual appointments. The dosage of folic acid during breastfeeding should be prescribed only by a qualified specialist. It is very important for a woman's body during breastfeeding, but its excess can cause asomnia, neurosis, hypervitaminosis and kidney problems.
The effect of this beneficial substance may be reduced due to the frequent use of coffee, as well as tobacco and alcoholic beverages. Bad habits can generally adversely affect the he alth of the baby. And the fact that an excessive passion for even coffee leads to a deficiency of a useful vitamin should alert a nursing mother.
It should be noted that not all medicines can be combined with contraceptives, and some of them significantly reduce the level of the substance we are discussing. If it is necessary to take a contraceptive while breastfeeding, it is necessary toorder to consult a doctor. How to take folic acid for breastfeeding?
Instructions
The main indication for taking a vitamin in synthetic form is to prevent the risk of anemia in mommy and baby. Against the background of a poor unbalanced diet, it is also often prescribed, since it is an inadequate diet that often causes a deficiency of this compound. Even if the pharmaceutical product was not taken before pregnancy planning and during gestation, it will still bring significant benefits. Basically, doctors recommend using it during the entire period of lactation. The therapeutic course is discussed individually, the daily rate varies from 200 to 500 mcg (the maximum dose is 600). Established pharmaceutical values may change if a woman has the following conditions:
- diabetes mellitus (insulin dependent);
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- disturbances in the functioning of the kidneys and liver;
- epilepsy;
- systemic lupus.
Changes in dosages are not caused by the diseases themselves, but by taking medications prescribed for the treatment of ailments.
Babies up to six months are prescribed 65 mcg of a water-soluble vitamin per day, as the crumbs grow up, it is increased to 85. This is usually the recommended dose for babies of 12 months. Three-year-old children are prescribed the drug in the amount of 150 mcg, adolescents - 200.
Contraindications
Is it always possible to drink folicacid with HB? In some cases, the synthetic form of the organic compound causes an allergy. To begin with, you should take one tablet of the drug and monitor the reaction of the body. Side effects have also been noted. These include:
- respiratory disorders:
- hypersensitivity to this substance;
- anorexia;
- disorder of the digestive system.
He althy foods
Folic acid is found in significant doses in greens, vegetables with edible leaves, legumes, citrus fruits. Also in flour and bread products, which are made from wholemeal flour, as part of the liver and honey, yeast. The extract of the latter product is prescribed to pregnant women with anemia. In the course of research, it was found that yeast owes its incredible activity to the substance we are discussing. The first portion of it was obtained from spinach leaves, after which it was subjected to chemical synthesis in a laboratory by a group of researchers.
Some mothers, knowing this, try to consume as many foods containing folic acid as possible. Is it possible to eat he althy vegetables uncontrollably with HB? On the one hand, an excess of the substance can adversely affect the he alth of the baby. On the other hand, not always, even with a balanced diet, lactating women can replenish the missing supply of this vitamin. After all, in such a period they especially need it. For this reason, doctors recommend taking folic acid medications. Although in the case of using natural products with this organicthe table was developed by the connection. Below are the values from it, which indicate how many micrograms of a vitamin are contained in 100 g of a certain product and the allowable intake in grams:
- parsley (100) - 65g allowed per day;
- walnuts (70) - 25-30 g (average allowable amount);
- spinach (70) - 250g;
- lettuce (50) - 110g;
- beans (80) – 110g
- wheat porridge (50) - 250g;
- liver (110) - 140g;
- broccoli (70) - 200-250 g.
Not all of the above foods can be consumed immediately after the baby is born. In the first months of lactation, only greens and spinach leaves are allowed. The rest should be introduced into the menu gradually, heavier ones - after three months. It is worth remembering that some products with the presence of folic acid cause allergic reactions in infants. It is found in small amounts in barley, oatmeal and rice cereals, and is also found in tomatoes, eggs and cheese.
With great care, homemade milk should be introduced into the diet. Although, unlike pasteurized, it has all the necessary substances, including folic acid, it contains an active allergen that can cause negative manifestations on the baby's skin. Doctors do not advise drinking such milk with breastfeeding in the first six months of feeding.
As a result of scientific research, it has been proven that products are not able to replace organic compound preparations, which are so necessary for nursing mothers and babies. It is important to remember one important nuance. If you are alreadytake folic acid while breastfeeding, exclude vitamin B9 when choosing other complex preparations. Cut down on foods rich in this compound.
Folic acid use for women
The latest conclusions of experts dispel the myth that this vitamin is necessary only for expectant mothers. Not only pregnant and lactating women can benefit from folic acid. For women, the use of a water-soluble vitamin gives a lot. Taking a pharmaceutical product prevents cardiovascular disease, lowers homocysteine, reduces the risk of stroke.
This water-soluble vitamin has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and hair. He takes part in the production of norepinephrine and serotonin, which are responsible for the mood of a person. It is advised to take it in the menopause with beriberi, as well as for the prevention of various diseases. The need for vitamin supplementation increases in the postoperative period and after traumatism cases.
How often to take folic acid depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the presence of diseases. Still this need determines the way of life. For example, athletes and people with increased physical activity are recommended to use this drug for a long time, 400 mcg is the optimal daily rate for an adult. One therapeutic course should not exceed three months. To determine the existing deficiency of this substance in the body, you need to donate blood toanalysis.
In the pharmacy network you can find folic acid in the form of chewing tiles enriched with this substance. Most often, these are combined products, sweet in taste, designed to strengthen the immune system, improve metabolic processes. They are prescribed for the prevention of beriberi.
Reviews
Folic acid is often taken during breastfeeding by many women. Reviews about the vitamin are mostly positive. Everyone considers it a vital element. Doctors respond especially well to the vitamin. Women take drugs from different manufacturers, reviews of which are all good. There are already pre-dosed pharmaceutical products on the market, which is very convenient for their correct use.
Conclusion
As you can see, the benefits of folic acid during breastfeeding are invaluable. This vitamin will protect the baby, keep his circulatory system and blood vessels he althy. The water-soluble compound plays an important role for a rapidly growing organism, is the key to the proper formation and development of cells in crumbs.
