The Role of Folic Acid in a Healthy Pregnancy

A Food Guide to Combating IDA

Folate or vitamin B9 is an essential nutrient required for the growth and development of the fetus.1 Therefore, folate demand is higher in pregnant women. It is not synthesized by our body and is exclusively obtained from the diet.1 Folate-rich foods include leafy green vegetables, dark green vegetables, legumes, egg yolk, liver, and citrus fruits.1,2 The synthetic form of folate is called folic acid and it is present in fortified foods and supplements.1 It is usually given in combination with iron because both iron and folate deficiencies are common during pregnancy. Read all about your iron requirements in Iron-Rich Foods to Combat IDA During Pregnancy.

What exercises should you do during pregnancy?

Heard about neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain and spine) caused by folate deficiency?

Folic acid supplementation in the first trimester protects your fetus from birth defects 1.

Another cause of neural tube defects is vitamin B12 deficiency.3 In fact, folic acid supplementation can mask vitamin B12 deficiency and it may go unnoticed. Therefore, you should consider your vitamin B12 requirements too.

With an understanding of all the nutrients at play, Iberet® Folic 500 has iron, folic acid and vitamin B complex and is specifically designed to meet your nutritional requirements during pregnancy. Pregnancy is hard work; lighten your load by making the right nutritional choices!

Recommended for iron supplementation for pregnant women.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Reference:

1 Greenberg JA, Bell SJ, Guan Y, Yu Y-H. Folic Acid supplementation and pregnancy: more than just neural tube defect prevention. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2011;4(2):52-59.

2 Chan Y-M, Bailey R, O’Connor DL. Folate. Adv Nutr. 2013;4(1):123-125. doi:10.3945/an.112.003392.

3 Kirke PN, Molloy AM, Daly LE, Burke H, Weir DG, Scott JM. Maternal plasma folate and vitamin B12 are independent risk factors for neural tube defects. Q J Med. 1993;86(11):703-708.

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MAL2227683   21 MARCH 2022