YOUR LIFE BLOG

Some women dream of having a baby one day while others are happy to be a pet or plant mom. Whatever your choice, a woman’s health is still valuable to her. There is always the possibility of becoming pregnant, where you want to make sure your body is prepared to have a baby. One of the most important essential vitamins¹ for pregnant women is folic acid, but it’s not just for expecting moms. Read on to find out why folate will become your bestie.

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is an essential B vitamin¹, specifically vitamin B9, and plays an important role in the production of your body’s red blood cells.² Folic acid is also sometimes referred to as folate, so remember to keep an eye out for all of these when choosing a good women’s supplement. Folic acid is naturally found in dark green veggies and citrus fruits ^3,4 which are yummy, but you would need to eat about 4 cups of raw broccoli⁵ or drink 9 glasses of orange⁵ juice to get to your recommended daily allowance – who’s got time for that? Folic acid or folate is a pregnancy superhero and is vital in preventing birth defects of your baby’s brain or spinal cord.¹ Folate is important for women (and even the guys) for good health.²

Besides Pregnancy, why is Folate Good for You?

Without getting too much about the science, folate is essential for your body to make DNA² and since our bodies don’t produce folate naturally¹, it must be taken in through our food and supplements. Folic acid is also used by our body for cell division² and has been shown to be great for heart health².  If that is not convincing enough, folic acid is also critical for healthy human brain function.  With all this added knowledge, it seems quite clear why you should keep folate close to your heart, and brain, and blood cells, and DNA.

What foods contain folate?

Folate can be found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, egg yolks, liver and some citrus fruits.^3,4 Although eating a healthy balanced diet is important, cooking can reduce folate in foods6and you will need to eat quite a lot of these foods to get your recommended daily amount. Ask your doctor how to supplement your folic acid if you are on an oral contraceptive.

How often should I take it?

Simply put, it’s best to eat a healthy diet and take daily supplements⁷ to ensure you are getting all you need. Remember your body can’t produce folate¹ on its own and it is an essential vitamin which also assists in making sure your body is in tip-top health should you fall pregnant.¹

We always recommend you talk to your doctor to get the best advice about your health and remember to ask him/her about what contraceptive options there are available to make sure you are in the best health.