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Folate vs Folic Acid for Pregnancy
1. Folate vs. Folic Acid: What's the Difference?

When it comes to pregnancy, both folate and folic acid are important nutrients to be aware of. But what exactly is the difference between the two? Folate is a water soluble vitamin that is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fruits. Folic acid, on the other hand, is the synthetic form of folate that is found in supplements and fortified foods.

2. The Importance of Folic Acid for Pregnancy

Folic acid is important for pregnant women because it helps to prevent neural tube defects in developing babies. These defects can occur in the brain and spine and can lead to serious health problems. Getting enough folic acid during pregnancy can also help to prevent other birth defects such as heart defects.

3. How Much Folic Acid Should You Take During Pregnancy?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. This is in addition to eating a diet that is rich in folate-containing foods.

4. Foods That Are Rich in Folate

Some good dietary sources of folate include leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fruits. Some fortified foods such as breakfast cereals, breads, and pastas also contain folic acid.

5. Taking a Folic Acid Supplement

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. This can be taken as a pill or in the form of a fortified food such as breakfast cereal. It is also important to eat a diet that is rich in folate-containing foods such as leafy greens, legumes, nuts, and fruits.

6. When to Start Taking Folic Acid

Ideally, folic acid should be started at least one month before conception to help prevent birth defects. However, even starting it after conception can still be beneficial. If you are already pregnant, you should start taking folic acid right away.

7. The Bottom Line: Folate vs. gofolic.org for Pregnancy

Folate and folic acid are both important nutrients for pregnancy. Folate is a water soluble vitamin found in leafy greens, legumes, nuts, and fruits while folic acid is the synthetic form of folate found in supplements and fortified foods. The CDC recommends that all women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid in addition to eating a diet rich in folate-containing foods."
Website: https://gofolic.org/6-month-pregnancy-diet-in-urdu/