How many folic acid should i take a day
About folic acid
Show
Folic acid in anaemiaVitamins are substances required by our bodies in small amounts for growth and general health. Our bodies do not store very much folic acid so we need to have a regular fresh supply. We can usually get the amounts we need from the food that we eat. Many foods contain folic acid, including spinach, sprouts, broccoli, green beans, peas, chickpeas, brown rice, kidney, liver and potatoes. Some people, for various reasons, may not receive enough from their diet alone. Folic acid is important for the production of red blood cells. A lack of it can lead to anaemia, which can cause tiredness and sometimes other symptoms. Folic acid deficiency is treated easily by taking a course of folic acid tablets for a few months. Folic acid in pregnancyPregnant women in particular need a good supply of folic acid because it is used by the developing baby. It has been shown that taking folic acid supplements decreases the chance of spina bifida and other neural tube defects in the baby. The very early stages of pregnancy are crucial in the need for folic acid and this is why folic acid supplements are recommended for women planning a pregnancy. Extra folic acid is advised for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy for all women - even if you are healthy and have a good diet. For most women, a supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid a day from before conception until the twelfth week of pregnancy is recommended. It is best to start taking the extra folic acid before becoming pregnant. If the pregnancy is unplanned then start taking folic acid as soon as you know you are pregnant. You can buy tablets of folic acid at most health food shops or pharmacies. If you have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect or if there is a family history of such, a supplement of 5 mg (milligrams) of folic acid each day until the twelfth week is recommended. A supplement of 5 mg daily in pregnancy is also recommended with some medical conditions such as coeliac disease, diabetes, and sickle cell anaemia, and if you are taking medicines to treat epilepsy. This strength of folic acid tablet is not available to buy. Your doctor will prescribe the tablets for you. Folic acid in other conditionsFolic acid is also used alongside methotrexate treatment in people with severe Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and arthritis. When it is used in these medical conditions, folic acid is taken on a different day of the week to methotrexate. It is taken to reduce the side-effects which can be caused by methotrexate. How to take folic acid
Getting the most from your treatment
Can folic acid cause problems?Folic acid supplements are unlikely to cause any side-effects. The 5 mg tablets may, on rare occasions, cause mild upset stomach (loss of appetite, nausea, and a bloated feeling). If you experience any symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice. How to store folic acid
Important information about all medicinesNever take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist. Can I take 2 folic acid tablets a day?Yes, you can get too much folic acid, but only from man-made products such as multivitamins and fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals. You can't get too much from foods that naturally contain folate. You should not get more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day, unless your doctor prescribes a higher amount.
How many tablets of folic acid should I take a day?To prevent anaemia, the usual dose for adults and children aged 12 years and over is 5mg, taken every 1 to 7 days. The dose may vary depending on your age, diet and any other health conditions you have.
What happens if you take too much folic acid?It can cause symptoms like weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and shortness of breath ( 14 , 15 ). If you take folic acid supplements and recognize any of these symptoms, consider getting your B12 levels checked. High intakes of folic acid may mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Is it good to take folic acid everyday?All women should get in the habit of taking folic acid daily even when they are not planning to get pregnant. For folic acid to help, a woman needs to take it every day, starting before she becomes pregnant.
|