Menrupanya, this Folic Acid leh di-consume 3 months sebelum preggy. Maksudnya?
Yea.
As soon as you're TTC.
What is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is a B vitamin. It occurs naturally as folate in pulses, green vegetables, some fruit, and yeast and beef extracts. Some foods, such as breads and breakfast cereals, are fortified with folic acid.
Why do I need folic acid?
Folic acid helps to protect your unborn baby from developing defects in his nerve system (neural tube defects), such as spina bifida.
Spina bifida happens when the protective covering that grows round an unborn baby's spinal cord doesn't close properly. This can lead to permanent nerve damage.
The first 12 weeks of your pregnancy are when your baby's brain and nerve system are forming and growing fast. That's why it's important to take daily folic acid supplements then.
Once you are into your second trimester, from week 13 of your pregnancy, you can stop taking the supplements. Taking them throughout pregnancy won't harm you or your baby, though.
Spina bifida happens when the protective covering that grows round an unborn baby's spinal cord doesn't close properly. This can lead to permanent nerve damage.
The first 12 weeks of your pregnancy are when your baby's brain and nerve system are forming and growing fast. That's why it's important to take daily folic acid supplements then.
Once you are into your second trimester, from week 13 of your pregnancy, you can stop taking the supplements. Taking them throughout pregnancy won't harm you or your baby, though.
How much Folic Acid do I need?
You're advised to take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid as soon as you decide to try for a baby. Then keep taking it for the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. It's good to eat plenty of folate-rich food as well.
If you have had a child with a neural tube defect (NTD), your chance of having another child with an NTD is greater. In this case, your doctor will prescribe a much higher daily dose of folic acid.
If you are taking certain prescribed medicines, such as for epilepsy, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of folic acid. That's because these medicines interfere with your body's ability to absorb folic acid.
If you have had a child with a neural tube defect (NTD), your chance of having another child with an NTD is greater. In this case, your doctor will prescribe a much higher daily dose of folic acid.
If you are taking certain prescribed medicines, such as for epilepsy, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of folic acid. That's because these medicines interfere with your body's ability to absorb folic acid.
Which foods should I eat?
Having foods that are rich in folate is great for you and your baby. These foods will be packed with all sorts of other nutrients that you both need. Here are some folate-rich foods for you to try:
The following foods provide 100–200 micrograms of folate per serving:
The following foods provide 100–200 micrograms of folate per serving:
- spinach (bayam), 1 cup;
- ladies’ fingers, half cup
- asparagus, half cup;
- lentils, half cup;
- liver, 1 slice;
- 11 brussels sprouts;
- black eyed beans, 4 tbsp;
- bran flakes, 7 tbsp;
- wheat germ, 25g / 1oz;
- medium-sized papaya.
The following foods provide 50–100 micrograms folate per serving:
- steamed broccoli, 2 spears;
- large orange;
- white rice, half cup
- oatmeal, half cup;
- kidney beans, half cup;
- corn on the cob (jagung), 1 large;
- sunflower seeds, 1 oz.
Other easy, convenient sources include large hard-boiled eggs, tinned salmon and jacket potato.
FYI Delicate folic acid in foods is destroyed by overcooking, so cook in a covered pan with the minimum amount of boiling water. Try to eat vegetables lightly steamed, microwaved or raw.
Source : http://www.babycenter.com.my/
FYI Delicate folic acid in foods is destroyed by overcooking, so cook in a covered pan with the minimum amount of boiling water. Try to eat vegetables lightly steamed, microwaved or raw.
Source : http://www.babycenter.com.my/
