It is no longer a secret that vitamins are special compounds that are considered to be unique catalysts that take part in the most important processes. They play an important role in the body of a woman during the bearing of a child and during lactation. The period of breastfeeding of the baby can be associated with a number of negative conditions in the mother.
Fragile hair and nails, bad teeth, poor appetite and increased fatigue - all these signs can haunt a woman in the first months after giving birth. Symptoms may indicate a lack of essential substances, including folic acid. When breastfeeding, doctors began to recommend drugs with this substance relatively recently. Why did specialists begin to resort to the appointment of funds so actively?
Folic acid - what kind of vitamin is this?
This is a water-soluble substance that is directly involved in the development and growth of the immune system and the activity of the blood organs. Without a sufficient amount of folic acid, significant disturbances occur in these processes. Its derivatives are also useful - tri-, di-polyglutamates (glutamic acid) and others. Together with a water-soluble compound, all of these substances form a group of folates. Their deficiency in the body can lead to megaloblastic anemia in patients of mature age.
During childbearing vitamin B 9 prevents the occurrence of defective processes of the neural tube of the fetus. It is included in chewing gums to prevent the risk of gum disease. The substance is prescribed to patients as an independent agent and in combination with other vitamins. Gynecologists advise to start taking the necessary component already at the stage of preparation for conception, as well as during the period of gestation. Given these properties of the vitamin, is there any doubt about whether folic acid can be breastfed? Medicines developed on its basis are recognized as the most effective in preventing abnormalities in future babies and babies.
This extremely useful vitamin is present in a number of food products, with which it enters the human body and produces positive effects. It is also synthesized with the participation of intestinal microflora. In most countries, many bakeries have enriched folic acid in cereal grains. When planning a diet with the introduction of this substance, it is important to understand that some of the folate contained in the products is destroyed by heat treatment. This is one of the reasons why doctors prescribe drugs with their presence.
During the life cycle, an individual has several periods when he urgently needs to saturate his body with vitamin B 9. An adult needs it from the age of 20 to 45. Vitamin is equally important for a developing embryo located in the mother’s womb. Folic acid is also required during breastfeeding. Its lack can lead to cancer even at the stage of fetal development.
Biological function
Consider the reasons for the benefits of folic acid for breastfeeding. Figuratively speaking, in the body she is assigned the role of builder and insurer. She participates in the formation of new structural units and is responsible for their stabilization. Keeps new cells healthy, keeps them in good condition. That is why babies need vitamin. Indeed, at this stage of development there is an accelerated growth of all vital systems.
This necessary stimulant plays an important role in DNA replication processes, as well as in intensive cell division in the bone marrow. Thanks to him, all chains of deoxyribonucleic acid remain intact. If this substance is not enough, then the formed red blood cells in this organ will begin to increase to an abnormal size, transforming into megaloblasts, which, in turn, will lead to anemia. Below will be described tips on how to take folic acid while feeding a baby. We will tell you what the optimal dose of vitamin to use for preventive purposes.
What are experts warning about?
Despite all the beneficial properties of the vitamin, experts still recommend that you approach the use of folic acid during breastfeeding correctly. Mom should know about the main features of the substance. It is worth remembering that this is a synthetic form of vitamin. Unlike a natural substance, it is more difficult to metabolize in the body.
For this process to succeed, an enzyme with extremely high activity is needed. One is dihydrofolate reductase. In the case of a slow metabolic reaction due to the lack of action of this component, folic acid will be difficult to convert to the form of a natural vitamin. Its positive effect on the body of the mother and newborn crumbs will significantly decrease. Although it is believed that the bioavailability of the synthetic compound is significantly higher than the natural vitamin derived from products.
The bottom line is that it is not the vitamin itself that causes harm to the health, but the accumulation of its unchanged compounds, which could not go into the right form during the synthesis. With this approach, a baby may develop autism or cancer. In addition, it will be difficult to identify the amount of vitamin B 12. However, this does not mean that you need to abandon a useful pharmaceutical product. Just all these facts indicate that in no case should you self-medicate. Since the synthetic compound is far from safe, you need to take it under the strict supervision of a specialist.
Deficit
What natural causes can contribute to the lack of this valuable organic compound? Its peculiarity is that it is not produced by the body and cannot accumulate in the structural units of our body. Vitamin B 9 breaks down in foods under the influence of low temperatures, it is not always able to persist when food is outside the refrigerator. Moreover, it is characterized by partial digestibility; only half of them are absorbed from the folate entering the body. There are a number of signs by which vitamin deficiency is determined. These include:
- various inflammatory processes;
- hyperpigmentation;
- violations in the operation of housing and communal services;
- poor appetite;
- feverish conditions;
- chronic fatigue;
- weakness and apathy;
- depressive disorders.
In the postpartum period, this vitamin is especially needed for mom as a restorative. His lack of a very negative effect on her health, even if for some reason she can’t feed her baby. In the presence of a lactation process, folates significantly increase the amount of breast milk, and also positively affect its quality and nutritional value.
Lack of vitamin negatively affects the condition of the baby: there are significant deterioration in the development of both psychological and physical. The child is gaining weight poorly and becomes weak. Babies suffering from vitamin deficiency have poor immunity and they are very painful.
Vitamin deficiency over a long period can lead to mental retardation in a child, atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke. It is no accident that these drugs are prescribed to prevent the risk of premature birth, the occurrence of various defects of the embryo and growth retardation.
To avoid these conditions, try to visit the pediatrician and gynecologist in a timely manner, replenish your diet with healthy food. Next, we will tell you what foods you can use with folic acid in hepatitis B.
Some features
Due to the fact that industrial medicines containing a beneficial organic compound have been actively prescribed relatively recently, some women are not even aware of their existence. Everyone is already accustomed to using various vitamin complexes, such preparations as Revit, Undevit and products containing ascorbic acid. Most likely, for this reason, many are interested in whether folic acid can be breastfed. Experts unequivocally answer this question: "yes." They strongly recommend that young mothers pay attention to remedies with this essential vitamin.
In addition to medicinal properties, it also has some biological features. She is considered a vitamin of joy, respectively, she is able to relieve nervous tension, eliminate heart palpitations, and act soothingly. This is very important for a newborn baby. In the presence of this valuable compound in his body, mothers can be calm for a healthy sleep crumbs. Folic acid also has a positive effect on gum health. Therefore, it greatly facilitates the process of teething in a baby.
Terms of use
Some mistakenly believe that useful vitamins can be prescribed for yourself. Thinking so fundamentally wrong. Despite the already established standard norms, for some mothers, individual appointments are needed. The dosage of folic acid during breastfeeding should be prescribed only by a qualified specialist. It is very important for a woman’s body while feeding her baby, but her excess can cause asomnia, neurosis, hypervitaminosis and kidney problems.
This beneficial substance may be reduced due to the frequent use of coffee, as well as tobacco and alcohol. Bad habits can generally negatively affect a baby’s health. And the fact that excessive enthusiasm even for coffee leads to a deficiency of healthy vitamin should alert a nursing mother.
It should be noted that not all medications can be combined with contraceptive drugs, and some of them significantly reduce the level of the substance we are discussing. If you need to take a contraceptive while feeding your baby, you must consult a doctor without fail. How to take folic acid in hepatitis B?
Instruction manual
The main indication for taking the vitamin in synthetic form is to prevent the risk of anemia in mothers and babies. Against the background of a meager unbalanced diet, it is also often prescribed, since it is the poor diet that often causes a deficiency of this compound. Even if the pharmaceutical product was not taken before pregnancy planning and during gestation, it will still bring significant benefits. Basically, doctors recommend it to be used throughout the lactation period. The therapeutic course is discussed individually, the daily norm varies from 200 to 500 mcg (maximum dose - 600). Established pharmaceutical values may vary if a woman has the following diseases:
- diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent);
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- impaired kidney and liver function;
- epilepsy;
- systemic lupus.
Dosage changes are not caused by the diseases themselves, but by the administration of medications prescribed for the treatment of ailments.
Infants are prescribed 65 mcg of water-soluble vitamin per day for six months, as they grow older, they increase to 85. This is usually the recommended dose for babies 12 months. Three-year-old children are prescribed the drug in an amount of 150 mcg, for adolescents - 200.
Contraindications
Is it always possible to drink folic acid with HS? In some cases, the synthetic form of the organic compound causes allergies. To begin with, you should take one tablet of the drug and follow the reaction of the body. Side effects are also noted. These include:
- disturbances in the respiratory system:
- hypersensitivity to this substance;
- anorexia;
- digestive upset.
Healthy food
In significant doses, folic acid is found in herbs, vegetables with edible leaves, legumes, and citrus fruits. Also in flour and bread products, which are made from wholemeal flour, in the composition of the liver and honey, yeast. The extract of the latter product is prescribed for pregnant women with anemia. In the course of research, it was found out that its incredible activity is due to the substance we are discussing. Its first portion was obtained from spinach leaves, after which it was subjected to chemical synthesis in a laboratory by a group of researchers.
Some mothers, knowing this, try to consume as many foods as possible containing folic acid. Is it possible to eat healthy vegetables uncontrollably with HB? On the one hand, an excess of substance can adversely affect the health of the baby. On the other hand, not always, even with a balanced diet, lactating women can replenish the lack of this vitamin. Indeed, in such a period, they especially need it. For this reason, doctors recommend taking folic acid medications. Although in the case of the use of natural products with this organic compound, a table was developed. Below are the values from it, which indicate how much μg of vitamin is contained in 100 g of a particular product and the permissible intake in grams:
- parsley (100) - 65 g is allowed per day;
- walnuts (70) - 25-30 g (average amount of allowable norm);
- spinach (70) - 250 g;
- lettuce (50) - 110 g;
- beans (80) - 110 g
- wheat porridge (50) - 250 g;
- liver (110) - 140 g;
- broccoli (70) - 200-250 g.
Not all of the above foods can be consumed immediately after birth. In the first months of lactation, only greens and spinach leaves can be. The rest must be entered into the menu gradually, more difficult after three months. It is worth remembering that some products with the presence of folic acid cause allergic reactions in infants. In small quantities, it is found in pearl barley, oatmeal and rice groats, and is also part of tomatoes, eggs and cheese.
With great care, you need to introduce homemade milk into the diet. Although unlike pasteurized, it has all the necessary substances, including folic acid, it contains an active allergen that can cause negative effects on the baby’s skin. Doctors do not advise drinking such milk with HB in the first six months of feeding.
As a result of scientific research, it was proved that the products are not able to replace the organic compound preparations that are so needed for nursing mothers and infants. It is important to remember one important nuance. If you are already taking folic acid while breastfeeding, exclude vitamin B 9 for yourself when choosing other complex preparations. Reduce eating foods rich in this compound.
Folic Acid for Women
The latest findings of experts dispel the myth that this vitamin is needed only by future mothers. Not only pregnant and lactating folic acid may benefit. The use of water-soluble vitamin gives women a lot. Taking a pharmaceutical product prevents cardiovascular disease, lowers homocysteine, and reduces the risk of stroke.
This water-soluble vitamin has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and hair. He takes part in the production of norepinephrine and serotonin, which are responsible for the mood of a person. It is advised to take it in menopause with vitamin deficiency, as well as for the prevention of various diseases. The need for vitamin increases in the postoperative period and after injuries.
How often to take folic acid depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the presence of diseases. Still this need is determined by a way of life. For example, athletes and people with increased physical exertion are recommended to use this drug for a long time, 400 micrograms is the optimal daily norm for an adult. One therapeutic course should not be more than three months. To determine the existing deficiency of this substance in the body, you need to donate blood for analysis.
In the pharmacy network, you can find folic acid in the form of chewing tiles enriched with this substance. Most often, these are combination products, sweet in taste, designed to strengthen the immune system, improve metabolic processes. They are prescribed for the prevention of vitamin deficiency.
Reviews
Folic acid is often taken by many women during breastfeeding. Reviews about the vitamin are mostly positive. Everyone considers it a vital element. Doctors respond especially well about vitamin. Women take drugs from different manufacturers, reviews of which are all good. Already metered pharmaceutical products are on sale, which is very convenient for their proper use.
Conclusion
As you can see, the benefits of folic acid in breastfeeding are invaluable. This vitamin will protect the baby, keep its circulatory system and blood vessels healthy. A water-soluble compound plays an important role for a rapidly growing organism, is the key to the proper formation and development of cells in the crumbs.