In the article we will consider the daily dose of folic acid. This substance belongs to the category of vitamins B.
The body of a he althy person contains approximately 5-20 mg of this substance. Half of this volume is concentrated in the liver. Folic acid is not stored in the body and must be replenished daily. In Russia and around the world, approximately 63-75% of women face a lack of this vital element. Few people know about the daily dose of folic acid.
Why there is a shortage
Most often this condition is due to the presence of three main reasons:
- Not enough in food. It must be taken into account that during the heat treatment of products, up to 90% of this substance contained in raw food is destroyed, however, ensure a sufficient volumefolic acid, which comes from food, is easy. In addition to the leaves of various greens, it is also found in meat, liver, cheese, egg yolk, caviar, legumes, tomatoes, sunflower seeds.
- High demand. The need for folic acid increases when, during a period of rapid growth and tissue renewal: in adolescents and young children, with severe malignant diseases, anemia, skin pathologies, etc. The need for a daily dose of folic acid during pregnancy increases in proportion to the growth of the fetus. During lactation, the need for this vitamin is also very high, as well as the need for other nutrients.
- Impaired absorption of folic acid in the intestine. Pathologies of the stomach and small intestine can lead to deficiency as a result of insufficient absorption, but with the normal composition of the microflora of these organs, the body can independently synthesize folic acid.
Vitamin B9 found in pharmaceuticals is much better absorbed than its natural counterparts.
Operation principle
Everyone knows that in order for the process of division to begin in a cell, its genetic material, which is enclosed in a DNA helix, must double in size. It is during this process that folic acid plays an important role. It is also involved in the synthesis of RNA, many amino acids, improves the absorption of iron. The daily dose of folic acid during pregnancy must be strictly observed.
Deficiency of this factor is very dangerous for cells that actively multiply. Folic acid is needed for the development and growth of all tissues.and organs, the normal formation of the embryo, the process of hematopoiesis. In the early stages of pregnancy, this is extremely important, since already at the 2nd week from the moment of conception, the part from which the brain is subsequently formed is already determined in the embryo. It is during such a period, despite the fact that a woman may still be unaware of her situation, even a short-term lack of folic acid can provoke the development of defects in the nervous system in an unborn child.
Besides participating in the creation of cells, this vitamin is used to replace the cells of a woman's body during pregnancy, as cells are constantly updated. Folic acid is involved in the formation of all elements of the blood. It provides a good mood, participates in the metabolism of biological substances of adrenaline and serotonin, which affect the activity of the nervous system, stimulate appetite, and participate in the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach cavity.
During pregnancy, folic acid deficiency contributes to the formation of neural tube anomalies: absence of the brain, hydrocephalus (hydrocephalus), the formation of brain herniations, spina bifida. In addition, malformations of the heart and vascular system and splitting of the palate and lips (cleft palate, cleft lip) may occur. With a lack of vitamin B9, the formation of the placenta is disrupted, the likelihood of spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, fetal growth retardation, and stillbirth increases significantly. Numerousscientific research has shown that about 75% of these defects can be prevented if a woman takes folic acid preparations before conception.
During breastfeeding, it is important to continue taking this substance, since during this period the body's need for it exceeds even that observed during pregnancy. Folic acid deficiency significantly affects the occurrence of weakness, apathy, postpartum depression, causes a decrease in the volume of mother's milk, a deficiency of this vitamin in a child. In addition to anemia, children with a lack of folic acid may experience a lag in weight, decreased immunity, delayed psychomotor development, and intestinal disorders.
So, the daily dose of folic acid for women when planning pregnancy is 4 mg, after conception, it gradually increases to 5 mg, and sometimes 6 mg.
Issue form
Folic acid is produced in powders and tablets for oral administration of 1 mg (50 and 25 pieces in one package). In addition, today in pharmacies you can find a special drug for pregnant women - "Folic Acid 9 Months", one tablet of which contains 4 mg of this substance at once - 90, 60 and 30 pieces per pack.
Daily dose of folic acid
According to WHO recommendations, the daily dose of this vitamin for women from the moment of trying to conceive until twelve weeks of pregnancy is 4 mg.
Women diagnosed witha neural tube defect in the fetus, as well as patients who have previously given birth to children with such a pathological condition in the periconceptional period, should take 5 mg daily.
For other populations, the need is:
- 1-3 years - 1.5mg;
- 4-8 years - 2mg;
- 9-13 years - 3mg;
- 14-18 years - 4 mg.
What is the daily dose of folic acid for men? The answer is simple - 4 mg.
Insufficient volume of the substance can be associated with malnutrition and intestinal and chronic diseases, smoking, alcohol abuse and indigestion.
The maximum daily intake of folic acid should not exceed 8 mg per day.
Indications for use
In accordance with the instructions for use, the daily dose of folic acid in mg is prescribed in the following cases:
- prevention of the development of neural tube anomalies in the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy;
- folic acid deficiency due to malnutrition;
- treatment of non-tropical and tropical sprue (impaired intestinal absorption of nutrients);
- megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency;
- leukopenia, drug and radiation anemia;
- intestinal tuberculosis;
- chronic gastroenteritis.
The use of this vitamin during pregnancy helps to get rid of many complications during childbirth and postpartumdepression.
List of contraindications
The daily dose of folic acid when planning pregnancy and carrying a baby is not prescribed in the following cases:
- hypersensitivity;
- malignant neoplasms;
- pernicious anemia (impaired absorption of vitamin B12);
- Ecobalamin deficiency;
- hemochromatosis (impaired iron metabolism);
- hemosiderosis;
- childhood.
Instructions for use
Let's look at the instructions for folic acid for women, men and children.
In the treatment, the following dosages of vitamin B9 are used: with its lack in the body - 400 mcg per day; in the treatment of anemia - 3 mg per day. For preventive purposes, the daily dose of folic acid for pregnant women is prescribed as follows: in the first trimester of gestation to prevent the development of neural tube anomalies - up to 800 mcg per day; for the prevention of anemia - 1 mg. Folic acid is taken orally with or after meals. The duration of the course of admission is usually 60 days, the duration of maintenance treatment ranges from 60 to 90 days.
For breastfeeding women, the need is 600 micrograms per day. Considering that folic acid deficiency is extremely dangerous in the first weeks after conception, it is recommended to take the vitamin during preparation for it (at least 3 months), as well as during the entire period of bearing a child.
How much folic acidpregnancy must be taken, now it is clear. For therapeutic purposes, the dose for women who are not at the stage of bearing a baby or planning, can be increased to 5 mg per day. The course of therapy is usually 20-30 days. High doses of this substance are also prescribed to women who have already had situations with the birth of children with folate-dependent developmental anomalies.
Adult men are recommended to take the standard dosage of vitamin B9 - 4 mg per day.
Side effects
Why is it important to maintain a daily dose of folic acid? Taking a substance in some cases can cause the following pathological conditions:
- nausea;
- bitterness in the mouth;
- flatulence;
- allergic reactions - itching, skin rash, erythema, bronchospasm, hyperthermia.
In case of an overdose of this vitamin, hypovitaminosis B9 may develop.
User safety
How much folic acid to drink, it is important to find out in advance.
This substance is not toxic to humans. Studies have been conducted on long-term use of 15 mg of folic acid per day (exceeding the dosage by 40 times), which did not reveal any toxic effect from taking such a drug. However, long-term use (more than 3 months) of high doses can reduce the concentration of vitamin B12 in the blood, which can contribute to the development of anemia. High doses sometimes cause disorders of the digestive tract, functional disorders in the workkidneys, increased mental excitability.
It is important to take vitamin B9 regularly. But given the fact that any medication will cover your daily folic acid requirement, don't worry if you miss another dose.
Drug Interactions
Many drugs can affect the absorption, utilization and storage of folic acid in the body. Medicines based on this substance are best taken simultaneously with vitamins C and B12. Additional use of bifidobacteria can enhance the processes of folic acid synthesis in the lumen of the large intestine. While taking alcoholic beverages, antacids (drugs that neutralize hydrochloric acid - Maalox, Almagel, etc.), as well as antiepileptic drugs and sulfonamides, the absorption of vitamin B9 in the intestine is significantly reduced. Simultaneous use of the drug "Aspirin" in large doses, nitrofuran drugs that are prescribed for infectious pathologies of the urinary tract, corticosteroid hormones and oral contraceptives helps to reduce the concentration of folic acid in the blood.
Signs of deficiency
The main symptoms of deficiency are:
- loss of interest in life, apathy;
- decrease in efficiency and activity;
- aggressiveness and irritability;
- the emergence of various phobias and manias;
- overwork;
- sleep disorders;
- weakening of memory and attention;
- more frequentdevelopment of headaches;
- drastic weight loss;
- indigestion;
- psoriasis;
- anemia;
- acne.
In addition to the above symptoms of vitamin B9 deficiency, women may experience a deterioration in the condition of hair, nails and skin, earlier development of gray hair. In addition, they have more difficulty with hormonal changes during menopause.
Since folic acid is responsible for the formation of many body systems, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, its deficiency in children can cause developmental defects. Therefore, at the stage of active growth, parents should carefully monitor the baby's diet and, if necessary, contact a specialist for the appointment of medications containing this vitamin. If a child has weakness, apathy, loss of appetite - these are the first signs of a lack of folic acid.
The most urgent need for vitamin B9 is children of early school age and adolescents, in whom hormonal changes begin in the body from about 14 years old. The main signs of a vitamin deficiency in a teenager are considered to be: loss of vitality, unreasonable nervous excitement, sleep disturbances, frequent digestive disorders, school performance problems, various rashes and redness on the skin, in the absence of a genetic predisposition - early gray hair. Folic acid is very important for adolescents during puberty, because a deficiency of this vitamin in the futurecan lead to pathological disorders of the reproductive system. Folic acid deficiency often occurs due to poor nutrition, if a teenager's diet contains a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. With some pathologies of the digestive system, similar problems may also occur. The exact dosage of the drug is calculated on an individual basis, which depends mainly on the age of the child and indications. Adolescents are recommended to take the vitamin in an amount of 150-200 mcg.
People who are actively involved in sports may experience all of the above signs of deficiency of this substance, which are present in normal adult patients, but may be more pronounced and occur more often. This is due to the fact that during high physical exertion there is a large consumption of the substance, so athletes simply need to replenish it.
We looked at what is the daily dose of folic acid.
