Folic acid? - Page 3

magicvw · Feb 14th, 2011, 16:00 PM

Yes I think that's true about green tea. However I believe that if you for example take your folic in the morning and drink your green tea in the afternoon, you should be ok. Just don't take them together. x

mom22boys · Feb 14th, 2011, 17:06 PM

VERY important! I don't know how to word this so...... it does not prevent but lowers the chances of having a child with Down Syndrome or chromosomal things.

That is still not how I wanted to word that but I hope it makes sense!

lauraclili · Feb 14th, 2011, 17:16 PM

I was told when I started TTC that it was almost impossible to overdose on folic acid, that your diet, even a very healthy one is unlikely to contain the folic acid necessary to reduce the risk of spinal tube disorders and that you can take it pretty much indefinitely without any side effects. So... I trust the Doctor that told me that and I would much rather do everything I can to try and mitigate the risks than have child with a spinal tube disorder who has to deal with MY decision for the rest of their lives. After all, they don't get the choice. I know that sounds a bit harsh but that was the way a friend explained the decision to me and that's the decision I have stayed with - 14 months later.

bbbunny · Feb 14th, 2011, 18:12 PM

Okay here are the main points that I have taken from an article on Folic acid

Folic acid is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells and is especially important during infancy and pregnancy.

The first 4 weeks of pregnancy require folic acid for proper development of the brain, skull and spinal cord.

The recommended folic acid intake for women planning for pregnancy is 400 micrograms per day.

Folic acid may also reduce chromosomal defects in sperm to some extent, which may be relevant for men considering fathering a child.

Folic acid can also help to treat and/or prevent heart disease, stroke, obesity, menopause,depression, help with mental agility, bone health, arthritis and some studies suggest that it can help with some types of cancer.

The risk of toxicity from folic acid is low, because folate is a water-soluble vitamin and is regularly removed from the body through urine.

These are just a few points from a lengthy wikipedia article but I hope they help.

Jess_Machine · Feb 14th, 2011, 18:35 PM

Okay, I'm at home on my computer and can clarify.

The risk of taking too much acid can be accelerated growth of cancer, especially colon cancer. You can find all kinds of sources for this by googling "folic acid pros and cons". As far as I can tell from the reading I've done, this is in the mom only, not in a baby. So clearly most people would say it's worth the small risk to them as a mom to prevent problems with the baby. I'd agree with that. I had read of other problems but I can't find anything on that now so maybe I misread.

I agree that it would be hard to reach an overdose simply through diet and taking the correct dose of vitamins. I personally have heard a lot of stories about people taking too much when it comes to all sorts of vitamins. Which is why I think with any thing like that you would want to find a doctor you like. Pretty much any doctor in the US (and evidently the UK) is going to say to take it. But for some people, their diet is already going to be enough which is why... talk to the doctor. If he said take it, take it

monalisa81 · Feb 15th, 2011, 03:38 AM

Here is what my doctor said:

"Both you and your DH should take folic acid when TTC. DNA comes from both sides, woman doesn't make a baby herself. When pregnancy occurs he can stop taking"

LittleAngel09 · Feb 15th, 2011, 06:29 AM

Taking folic acid before you begin trying is so important. I lost my 1st daughter to spina bifida. I didn't start taking it until I knew I was pregnant as we weren't trying, but by then it's too late.

x

Thistledown · Feb 15th, 2011, 09:47 AM

Folic acid is a B vitamin (B9 I believe). B vitamins are water soluble, so unless you're taking way too much, you'll just pee out the excess before it can cause any harm. Personally, I wouldn't double up on folic acid (that is, I wouldn't take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid in it, and then a folic acid supplement as well) but I'm not concerned that the amount I get from my diet , plus a prenatal, is going to push me over the edge.

Feb 14th, 2011, 16:00 PM	#21
magicvw Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: the Dark Ages Posts: 16,932	Yes I think that's true about green tea. However I believe that if you for example take your folic in the morning and drink your green tea in the afternoon, you should be ok. Just don't take them together. x

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Feb 14th, 2011, 17:06 PM	#22
mom22boys Trying to conceive (TTC) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NW AR Posts: 1,293	VERY important! I don't know how to word this so...... it does not prevent but lowers the chances of having a child with Down Syndrome or chromosomal things. That is still not how I wanted to word that but I hope it makes sense!

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Feb 14th, 2011, 17:16 PM	#23
lauraclili Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wirral, UK Posts: 5,335	I was told when I started TTC that it was almost impossible to overdose on folic acid, that your diet, even a very healthy one is unlikely to contain the folic acid necessary to reduce the risk of spinal tube disorders and that you can take it pretty much indefinitely without any side effects. So... I trust the Doctor that told me that and I would much rather do everything I can to try and mitigate the risks than have child with a spinal tube disorder who has to deal with MY decision for the rest of their lives. After all, they don't get the choice. I know that sounds a bit harsh but that was the way a friend explained the decision to me and that's the decision I have stayed with - 14 months later.

Status: Offline

Feb 14th, 2011, 18:12 PM	#24
bbbunny Trying to conceive (TTC) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 340	Okay here are the main points that I have taken from an article on Folic acid Folic acid is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells and is especially important during infancy and pregnancy. The first 4 weeks of pregnancy require folic acid for proper development of the brain, skull and spinal cord. The recommended folic acid intake for women planning for pregnancy is 400 micrograms per day. Folic acid may also reduce chromosomal defects in sperm to some extent, which may be relevant for men considering fathering a child. Folic acid can also help to treat and/or prevent heart disease, stroke, obesity, menopause,depression, help with mental agility, bone health, arthritis and some studies suggest that it can help with some types of cancer. The risk of toxicity from folic acid is low, because folate is a water-soluble vitamin and is regularly removed from the body through urine. These are just a few points from a lengthy wikipedia article but I hope they help.

Status: Offline

Feb 14th, 2011, 18:35 PM	#25
Jess_Machine Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Texas, USA! Posts: 129	Okay, I'm at home on my computer and can clarify. The risk of taking too much acid can be accelerated growth of cancer, especially colon cancer. You can find all kinds of sources for this by googling "folic acid pros and cons". As far as I can tell from the reading I've done, this is in the mom only, not in a baby. So clearly most people would say it's worth the small risk to them as a mom to prevent problems with the baby. I'd agree with that. I had read of other problems but I can't find anything on that now so maybe I misread. I agree that it would be hard to reach an overdose simply through diet and taking the correct dose of vitamins. I personally have heard a lot of stories about people taking too much when it comes to all sorts of vitamins. Which is why I think with any thing like that you would want to find a doctor you like. Pretty much any doctor in the US (and evidently the UK) is going to say to take it. But for some people, their diet is already going to be enough which is why... talk to the doctor. If he said take it, take it

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2011, 03:38 AM	#26
monalisa81 Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3,016	Here is what my doctor said: "Both you and your DH should take folic acid when TTC. DNA comes from both sides, woman doesn't make a baby herself. When pregnancy occurs he can stop taking"

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2011, 06:29 AM	#27
LittleAngel09 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: West Sussex Posts: 505	Taking folic acid before you begin trying is so important. I lost my 1st daughter to spina bifida. I didn't start taking it until I knew I was pregnant as we weren't trying, but by then it's too late. x

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2011, 09:47 AM	#28
Thistledown Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 548	Folic acid is a B vitamin (B9 I believe). B vitamins are water soluble, so unless you're taking way too much, you'll just pee out the excess before it can cause any harm. Personally, I wouldn't double up on folic acid (that is, I wouldn't take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid in it, and then a folic acid supplement as well) but I'm not concerned that the amount I get from my diet , plus a prenatal, is going to push me over the edge.

Status: Offline

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