Are you trying to fall pregnant? Curious of how much folic acid to take?

Folate has been associated to healthier pregnancies and healthier babies. Here’s why:

1. It prevents Neural Tube Defects in babies.
2. There is a decreased incidence of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) in the offspring, most especially mothers and children with MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphism, as evidenced by a case-control cohort study on 45,300 children in January 2018, and children who were exposed to pesticides, air pollution, or epileptic drugs while in utero.
3. There is a decreased risks of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension in mothers who take folate throughout pregnancy
4. There is also a lower incidence of postpartum depression in mothers who take folate for more than 6 months during pregnancy. Especially seen in mothers with the MTHFR C677 TT genotype.
5. Risks of 18% paediatric brain tumours, 47% neuroblastoma, and 36% leukaemia has been shown to have been reduced.
6. Low intake of folic acid during pregnancy has been linked to shorter telomeres in babies. Telomeric disruption is associated with cancer development, aging and degenerative disease.

Soon-to-be mothers are advised to do these prior to trying to get pregnant:

• Take nutrigenomics gene testing.
• Start taking folate in the form of folic acid, 400mcg daily, at least 4 weeks prior to conception.
• Consult with a practitioner for proper prescription.