Folic Acid Flashcards
What is folic acid?
A B vitamin vital for the formation of red blood cells and supports growth and cell division.
What is the natural form of folic acid found in food called?
Folate.
Who needs folic acid?
Everyone needs sufficient folate, but especially those in the preconception period, during pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
What can a deficiency of folic acid lead to?
Macrocytic anaemia, which reduces the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen.
What is the role of folic acid in DNA?
Essential in the formation of DNA within every body cell, allowing each cell to replicate.
How much folic acid should adults and children over 11 years consume daily?
200 micrograms.
What is the recommended daily intake of folic acid for someone considering pregnancy?
200 micrograms plus a supplement containing 400 micrograms.
What is the daily folic acid recommendation for pregnant individuals during the first 12 weeks?
300 micrograms plus a 400 micrograms supplement.
What is the daily folic acid recommendation for breastfeeding individuals?
260 micrograms.
What is a significant risk of inadequate folate levels during early pregnancy?
Increased risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
Which foods are good sources of folate or folic acid? (List at least three)
- Spinach
- Beans and legumes
- Fortified foods
What cooking methods can reduce the loss of folate in vegetables?
Steaming or microwaving instead of boiling and avoiding over-cooking.
True or False: Folic acid is a fat-soluble vitamin.
False.
What additional folic acid dosage may be needed for those with a history of neural tube defects?
5 milligrams/day preconception and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Fill in the blank: A foetus rapidly develops spine and nerve cells in the first few weeks of _______.
pregnancy.
