How long can you take folic acid? Instructions for use of folic acid: how to take it for men, women and children. Folic acid in foods

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is one of the most important elements that is invaluable both for the expectant mother and for the fetus developing inside her. The substance in question takes part in the production of DNA cells and blood elements, reduces the likelihood of developing various types of defects and pathologies, and promotes the formation of a healthy placenta.

After reading the information below, you will find out in what quantities you need to take folic acid and get a generally complete picture of the substance in question.

Folic acid deficiency: why is it dangerous?

During pregnancy, insufficient levels of vitamin B9 in the mother's body can lead to the development of pathologies nervous system fetus, for example, hydrocephalus, and in exceptional cases even anencephaly. Sometimes there are formations of cerebral hernias, problems with the physical and mental development of the baby, etc.

In view of this, folic acid must be present in the body of the expectant mother in sufficient quantities. You are invited to read more detailed information on this matter below.

Folic acid in questions and answers

To make it easier to understand, information about folic acid is prepared in question and answer format and presented in table form.

Table. Folic acid in questions and answers

Question	Answer
Why take folic acid?	This substance helps to normalize the processes of growth and development of the fetus, especially in the initial stages. With a lack of vitamin B9, as noted, the likelihood of various types of birth defects increases significantly.
Who should take folic acid?	According to statistics provided medical institutions, every second woman has insufficient folic acid in the body. The risk group includes patients who drink alcohol and take hormonal medications.
When is vitamin B9 most important?	The greatest need for folic acid is observed during the first 4 weeks after conception - during this time the neural tube of the fetus is formed.
How to increase the level of folic acid in the body?	Experts recommend taking folic acid daily 3-6 months (the specific period is determined by the doctor) before the planned conception, as well as throughout the entire pregnancy.
Who should take vitamin B9?	As a rule, doctors prescribe folic acid for every pregnant woman, regardless of the characteristics of her diet and other similar issues. Patients who have previously given birth to children with abnormalities caused by a deficiency of folic acid in the body are usually prescribed an increased dosage. In general, all these issues are resolved by a qualified specialist.
Is it possible to overdose on vitamin B9?	It has been established that for pronounced manifestations of an overdose to occur, a person must take about 20-30 folic acid tablets per day. If the norm is slightly exceeded, the kidneys will simply remove the excess substance from the body unchanged.
Should men take folic acid?	A lack of folic acid can lead to a decrease in the number of healthy and adequate sperm in men. In view of this, at least 3 months before the planned conception, men are also recommended to start taking vitamin B9, and the concentration should be no less than preventive, i.e. from 0.4 mg per day.

How much folic acid to drink: recommended dosages

All over the world, a dosage of 0.8 mg per day is followed. In some cases, the dose can be significantly increased - up to 3-4 mg. It is important to understand that specific values under any circumstances should be selected by a qualified specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Folic acid is sold in tablets, each of which most often contains 1 mg of the necessary substance. That is, one tablet contains a little more than the minimum daily dose. In general, doctors in most cases recommend that women planning pregnancy drink up to 3-4 mg of folic acid per day, so there will be no problems with the convenience of distributing vitamin B9 throughout the day.

How to take folic acid correctly?

Planning a pregnancy should be approached with maximum responsibility and care.

Firstly, both the man and the woman first undergo the necessary examinations to determine the presence of diseases that pose a threat to a future pregnancy.
Secondly, at least several months before the planned conception, both future parents must stop smoking - in this case, this habit is doubly harmful, because Under the influence of nicotine, the structure of folic acid is destroyed. We also exclude alcohol.
Thirdly, you need to get rid of any kind of acute inflammation and infections, treat chronic ailments, and eliminate oral problems.

Now directly about folic acid. According to the results necessary tests, a specialist who helps a couple plan a pregnancy, establishes the need to take vitamin B9 and makes objective assumptions about its effect on the health of the developing fetus. In accordance with individual characteristics For a particular couple, the doctor selects the optimal dosage of folic acid. In the future, the specialist will definitely prescribe additional consultations and examinations, based on the results of which the dosage of folic acid will be changed if necessary.

As noted, folic acid should be started at least 3 months before planned conception. Thanks to this, not only will the likelihood of successful fertilization be increased, but also the chances of having a full-fledged child without abnormalities will be significantly increased.

Can you get folic acid from food?

The substance in question is found in some products. It is relatively abundant in such products as: beans, citrus fruits, chicken eggs, sorrel, nuts, oatmeal, sea fish, buckwheat, spinach, cilantro, dill, almonds, cheese, liver and kidneys (chicken, beef, pork). It is recommended to cook the liver so that it is not overly fried. Greens are best eaten in the form of fresh salads - with additional cooking, the concentration of folic acid decreases significantly.

Content

Gynecologists assure: taking folic acid when planning pregnancy is extremely important for both spouses, because it improves the quality of germ cells and helps the fetus to develop properly. It is important to take it before and after conception, so knowing how to drink it is useful for every woman.

Does folic acid help you get pregnant?

Doctors say that folic acid before pregnancy, taken in the form of special medications or through products containing it, does not help get pregnant, because its purpose is different. It helps improve the quality of eggs and sperm by stimulating the synthesis of essential nucleic acids. B9 promotes better absorption of other beneficial substances, increases hematopoietic function, and affects the formation of the fetus. In an “interesting situation” it should be used so that the baby does not have:

defects and abnormalities of the brain;
epilepsy;
allergies.

Do men need folic acid when planning pregnancy?

According to experts, not only women need folic acid before pregnancy. It is recommended for family planning and for men, because its benefit lies in the normal formation of sperm, the quality of which is responsible for the onset of conception and the health of the future fetus. If a woman needs to use folacin during preparation and during pregnancy, then men can stop using it as soon as the couple learns of a positive test. The doctor prescribes the medicine.

What foods contain folacin?

If you are concerned about how to take folic acid when planning a pregnancy, you do not have to turn to medication. Will help make up for its deficiency following products power supply:

leafy greens: dill, sorrel, cilantro, spinach;
legumes;
citrus;
buckwheat and oats;
Walnut, almonds;
liver, offal.

For better absorption, it is recommended to consume plant-based vitamin products rich in folacin without cooking. Animal sources allow minimal exposure to temperature. Conditions are observed to reduce the loss of folacin, which is destroyed by heat to a level of 90%. It is recommended to eat nutrient-rich foods every day, and you can eat sea fish, cheese, chicken eggs, which contain slightly less active substance than those listed, but are necessary in the diet.

How to take folic acid when planning pregnancy

At the stage of preparation for pregnancy, only the doctor determines how to drink folic acid correctly. The appointment will depend on chronic diseases, bad habits, test results. The standard dosage is to take the drugs in tablet form a quarter before conception. A dose of 40 milligrams per day is recommended for a man, and twice as much for a woman. Excess or overdose of the substance is not dangerous, because the water-soluble vitamin is excreted from the body without side effects.

If one of the parents or other relatives had brain pathologies, then the dosage for a woman during pregnancy will be 2 g per day, and if the first baby of the couple suffers from similar defects, then 4 g. It is better to use this substance after meals, because the active components may have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa. The doctor will prescribe the time of use and the number of capsules taken to the expectant mother by week.

Vitamins with folic acid when planning pregnancy

You might be wondering how to take folic acid when planning a pregnancy. For convenience, it is better to consider the following data on popular medications:

Tablets of the same name. They have the most affordable price and are very popular. The quality is appreciated by many gynecologists: doctors prescribe the drug to mothers in the amount of 1 tablet (1 mg) per day.
Folacin, Apo-folic. Prescribed for severe folacin deficiency in a pregnant woman, because each dose contains 5 mg of the active substance. This drug is prescribed only by a specialist and is considered therapeutic, while others are preventive.
Folio. In addition to 0.4 g of vitamin B9, it contains 0.2 g of iodine. For female body It is recommended to take 2 tablets, and for men - 1 daily.
Multivitamin complexes Materna, Elevit Prenatal, Vitrum Prenatal, Pregnavit, Multitabs Perinatal. All of them, in addition to B9, which is needed in preparation for conception, contain other useful ingredients.

People have known about the benefits of vitamin B9 (folic acid) for a long time, but only relatively recently doctors began to actively promote the use of this substance among the population. Folic acid is prescribed during pregnancy and is included in complex therapy for the treatment of heart diseases. There is a lot of debate about the extent to which this vitamin can provoke the development of cancer or whether it is an inhibitory factor in the growth of cancer cells. Only one thing is indisputable - every person’s body needs folic acid, but its intake is especially important for women.

Features of folic acid

The benefits of vitamins and minerals are known to everyone. Many of us know what calcium and magnesium are, why iron is needed in the body and what effect vitamins B6, B12, A and C, PP and D have. Vitamin B9 remains undeservedly forgotten - folic acid, in which the active substance is folate.

Note:Folic acid cannot be produced by the body itself, and its ability to accumulate in tissues and organs is zero. Even if a person introduces the maximum amount of foods containing vitamin B9 into his diet, the body will absorb less than half of the original volume. The main disadvantage of folic acid is that it destroys itself even with a small heat treatment(storing the product in a room at room temperature is sufficient).

Folates are a fundamental component in the process of DNA synthesis and maintaining its integrity. In addition, it is vitamin B9 that promotes the body’s production of specific enzymes that are actively involved in the prevention of the formation of malignant tumors.

Lack of folic acid in the body was detected in people aged 20-45 years, in pregnant and lactating women. This can lead to the development of megaloblastic anemia (oncology associated with decreased DNA synthesis) and the birth of children with developmental defects. There are also certain clinical symptoms that indicate a lack of folic acid in the body - fever, often diagnosed inflammatory processes, disorders of the digestive system (diarrhea, nausea, anorexia), hyperpigmentation.

Important:natural folic acid is absorbed much worse than synthetic one: taking 0.6 mcg of the substance in the form of a medication is equal to 0.01 mg of folic acid in its natural form.

How to take folic acid

The National Academy of Sciences published general guidelines for the use of folic acid back in 1998. The dosage according to these data will be as follows:

optimal – 400 mcg per day per person;
minimum – 200 mcg per person;
during pregnancy – 400 mcg;
during lactation – 600 mcg.

note: In any case, the dosage of vitamin B9 is determined individually and the above values can only be used for a general understanding of the daily dosage of the drug. There are clear restrictions on the daily amount of the substance in question when planning pregnancy and during the period of bearing/feeding a child, as well as in the case of using folic acid for the prevention of cancer.

Folic acid and pregnancy

Folic acid is responsible for DNA synthesis, it is actively involved in cell division and their restoration. Therefore, the drug in question must be taken both during pregnancy planning, and during the period of bearing a child, and during breastfeeding.

Folic acid is prescribed to women who have stopped taking contraceptives and are planning a child. You need to start using the substance in question as soon as the decision is made to conceive and give birth to a child - the importance of the absolute supply of folic acid in the mother’s body in the first days/weeks of pregnancy is difficult to assess. The fact is that at two weeks of age the embryo’s brain is already beginning to form - at this stage a woman may not even suspect she is pregnant. On early stages pregnancy, the baby’s nervous system is also formed - folic acid is necessary for proper cell division and the formation of absolutely healthy body. Why do gynecologists prescribe vitamin B9 to women when planning pregnancy? The substance in question takes an active part in hematopoiesis, which occurs during the formation of the placenta - with a lack of folic acid, pregnancy can end in miscarriage.

A lack of folic acid in a woman’s body during pregnancy can lead to the development of birth defects:

"cleft lip";
hydrocephalus;
"cleft palate";
neural tube defect;
violation of the mental and intellectual development of the child.

Ignoring folic acid prescriptions from a gynecologist can lead to premature birth, placental abruption, stillbirth, miscarriage - according to scientific research in 75% of cases, this development of events can be prevented by taking folic acid 2-3 months before pregnancy.

After childbirth, you should also not interrupt the course of taking the substance in question - postpartum depression, apathy, and general weakness are a consequence of a lack of folic acid in the mother’s body. In addition, in the absence of additional introduction of folates into the body, a deterioration in the quality of breast milk, its quantity decreases, which affects the growth and development of the child.

Dosage of folic acid during pregnancy and lactation

During the period of planning and carrying a pregnancy, doctors prescribe folic acid to a woman in the amount of 400 - 600 mcg per day. While breastfeeding, the body needs a higher dosage - up to 600 mcg per day. In some cases, women are prescribed a dose of 800 mcg of folic acid per day, but such a decision should only be made by a gynecologist based on the results of an examination of the woman’s body. An increased dosage of the substance in question is prescribed for:

Diabetes mellitus and epilepsy diagnosed in a woman;
existing congenital diseases in the family;
the need to constantly take medications(they make it difficult to absorb folic acid in the body);
previously born children with a history of folate-dependent diseases.

Important : The gynecologist should indicate in what quantities of folic acid a woman should take during periods of planning/gestation of pregnancy and lactation. It is strictly forbidden to choose a “convenient” dosage on your own.

If a woman is absolutely healthy, then vitamin B9 is prescribed in the form of multivitamin preparations, which a woman needs when planning pregnancy and bearing a child. They are sold in pharmacies and are intended for expectant mothers - “Elevit”, “Pregnavit”, “Vitrum prenatal” and others.

If the need for an increased dosage of folic acid is identified, the woman is prescribed drugs with a high content of vitamin B9 - “Folacin”, “Apo-Folik”.

note: to know exactly how many capsules/tablets you need to take per day, you need to study the instructions for the drug and consult a gynecologist.

The principle of taking medications containing folic acid is simple: before or during meals, with plenty of water.

Overdose and contraindications

IN Lately It has become “fashionable” to prescribe folic acid to pregnant women in the amount of 5 mg per day - apparently, this is how they want to fill the body with vitamin B9. This is absolutely wrong! Despite the fact that excess folic acid is excreted from the body 5 hours after intake, an increased dosage of folic acid can lead to the development of anemia, increased excitability, kidney dysfunction, and work disorders gastrointestinal tract. It is believed that the maximum permissible dose of folic acid per day is 1 mg, 5 mg per day is a therapeutic dose that is prescribed for diseases of cardio-vascular system and other parts of the body.

To be clarified : even with an overdose of folic acid as prescribed by a doctor, there is no negative effect on intrauterine development there is no fruit. Only the body of the expectant mother suffers.

A contraindication to the prescription of folic acid is individual intolerance to the substance or hypersensitivity to it. If such a disorder was not identified before prescription, then after taking medications with vitamin B9, a rash and itching may appear on the skin, facial hyperemia (redness), bronchospasm. If these symptoms occur, you should immediately stop taking the prescribed medications and tell your doctor.

The benefits of folic acid for pregnant women are described in detail in the video review:

Folic acid in foods

Folic acid and cancer: data from official studies

Many sources indicate that folic acid is prescribed in the treatment of cancer. But on this issue, the opinions of scientists/doctors are divided - some studies confirm that this particular substance can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and serve as prevention in oncology, but others have indicated an increase in malignant tumors when taking medications with folic acid.

General assessment of cancer risk from folic acid supplementation

The results of a large study assessing the overall risk of cancer in patients taking folic acid supplements were published in January 2013 in The Lancet.

“This study provides confidence in the safety of taking folic acid for a period not exceeding five years, both as supplements and as fortified foods.”

The study involved about 50,000 volunteers, who were divided into 2 groups: the first group was regularly given folic acid supplements, the other group was given a placebo “pacifier”. The group taking folic acid had 7.7% (1,904) new cancer cases, while the placebo group had 7.3% (1,809) new cases. No noticeable increase in overall cancer incidence was seen even in people with a high average folic acid intake (40 mg per day), experts say.

Risks of developing breast cancer when taking folic acid

In January 2014, the results of another study were published. Scientists studied the risks of breast cancer in women taking folic acid. Canadian researchers at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, including Dr. Yong-In-Kim, lead author of the study, found that folic acid supplements taken by breast cancer patients may promote the growth of malignant cells.

Previously, some scientists have proven that folate can protect against various types oncological diseases, including breast cancer. However, research by Canadian scientists has shown that consumption of folic acid at a dosage of 2.5 mg 5 times a day for 2-3 months in a row significantly promotes the growth of existing precancerous or cancer cells in the mammary glands rodents. Important: This dosage is many times higher than the dosage recommended for humans.

Folic acid and prostate cancer risks

In March 2009, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of a study on the relationship between folic acid intake and the risk of prostate cancer.

Scientists from the University of Southern California, in particular study author Jane Figueiredo, found that taking vitamin supplements with folic acid more than doubles the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Researchers monitored the health of 643 volunteers for more than six and a half years: men, average age which was about 57 years old. All men were divided into 2 groups: the first group took folic acid (1 mg) daily, the second group was given a placebo. During this time, 34 study participants were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Based on the data they had, scientists calculated the likelihood of developing prostate cancer in all participants over 10 years and came to the conclusion that 9.7% of people from group 1 (taking folic acid) and only 3.3% could develop cancer. men from the second group (taking “pacifiers”).

Folic acid and laryngeal cancer

In 2006, scientists from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart found that taking large doses of folic acid contributes to the regression of laryngeal leukoplakia (a precancerous disease that precedes laryngeal cancer).

The experiment involved 43 people who were diagnosed with laryngeal leukoplakia. They took 5 mg of folic acid 3 times a day. The results of the study, published by its leader Giovanni Almadori, surprised doctors: regression was recorded in 31 patients. In 12 cases there was a complete cure, in 19 cases there was a reduction in spots by 2 or more times. Italian scientists conducted an analysis and found that the concentration of folic acid was reduced in the blood of patients with head and neck cancer, as well as patients suffering from laryngeal leukoplakia. Based on this, a hypothesis was put forward about low folate levels as a provoking factor in the development and progression of cancer.

Folic acid and colon cancer

Previously, scientists from the American Cancer Society proved that vitamin B9 significantly reduces the risk of development - it is enough to consume folic acid in the form natural products(spinach, meat, liver, animal kidneys, sorrel) or synthetic drugs.

Tim Byers found that patients who took nutritional supplements folic acid, the number of polyps in the intestines increased (polyps are precancerous conditions). Important: scientists emphasized that we are talking about the use of drugs, not products containing folates.

Note: Most of the studies confirming the increased risk of malignant neoplasms are based on taking doses many times higher than the minimum recommended. Remember that the recommended dose is 200 – 400 mcg. Most folic acid supplements contain 1 mg of folate, which is 2.5 to 5 times the daily value!

Tsygankova Yana Aleksandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category

Vitamin B 9 is vital for humans. Its insufficient intake leads to immunity disorders, pathologies of the nervous system, anemia, deterioration of the function of the digestive organs, hair loss, brittle nails and skin diseases. Preparations containing it are prescribed for the correction and prevention of various conditions of the body, at the planning stage and in the first weeks of pregnancy. When is additional supplement needed, how to take it? Let's consider the rules of administration and dosage.

Synthetic forms of vitamin B9

Polluted environment, irregular diet, low quality products can lead to a lack of vitamin B9 in the body. In such cases, additional intake of folic acid in tablet form is required.

How to take folic acid will be prescribed by the attending doctor, taking into account the age and health status of the patient. The dosage can range from 2 to 4 mcg per day. The doctor will determine how much folic acid to take over time. Usually the pills are started 4 weeks before the planned pregnancy.

This substance takes an active part in the formation and functioning of the child’s nervous system, including the spinal cord and brain. Its lack during fetal maturation can cause hydrocephalus, cleft lip, anecephaly, pathologies of heart development, and spina bifida. Vitamin B9, used prophylactically, can reduce the likelihood of developing such complications. Expectant mothers are recommended to eat foods rich in folates and take tablets in a dose of up to 8 mcg per day. The entire first trimester is accepted.

Folic acid dosage for men

Vitamin B9 deficiency causes deterioration in the health of not only women, but also men.

A lack of it can lead to:

decreased sperm motility;
reducing the quality of sperm and, consequently, the likelihood of conception;
increasing the likelihood of genetic pathologies in a child.

The average preventive dose for a future father is 2-4 mcg per day, but the dosage of the drug needs to be clarified by a doctor.

In adolescents, as a result of a deficiency of this substance, they may develop hormonal disorders and delayed puberty. As a result, growth slows down, memory deteriorates, and appetite is impaired. If such signs appear, you should consult a doctor who will conduct an examination. If it is determined that the cause of the disorder is folic acid, or rather its deficiency, the doctor will determine the required dosage and tell you how to take it.

Taking medications to combat excess weight

As one of the means in a comprehensive fight against excess weight, nutritionists recommend taking vitamin B9 in additional dosage. This will bring the expected effect provided proper nutrition and regular physical activity. The substance helps improve metabolism and rapid breakdown of fat. In this case, the need for additional folic acid supplements and the method of taking it should be clarified by a nutritionist. Uncontrolled use of this product can be harmful to health.

Vitamin B9 to improve hair condition

If hair problems are caused by a deficiency of this element, to speed up recovery it is recommended to take it orally in tablets and, in addition, add the solution to shampoo, conditioner and masks. You can dilute an ampoule of the product in a jar of shampoo or add a few drops in portions immediately before use. The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the problem. For example, if they fall out, it will take several months before treatment results appear. But they will become alive and shiny after a month of regular care.

Folic acid is essential for health. Its deficiency leads to disastrous consequences. However, uncontrolled use of the drug and incorrectly selected dosage harm the body. Only a doctor can prescribe this medication. He must explain to the patient how to drink it correctly.