Conception Nutrients: Vitamin B12 And Folic Acid

Folic acid (vitamin B9) is vital for fertility and conception, and for the mother-to-be and baby. It is very urgent just before a child is conceived and in the days straight afterwards.

An irreplaceable vitamin

Folic acid has a crucial role to play in everything that can affect DNA and genetic info. This necessary vitamin increases female fertility and, additionally, helps to stop the malformation of the neural tube in the foetus. Should this malformation occur: the baby would be exposed to a serious condition: spina bifida. Folic acid begins this crucial protection in the first weeks of pregnancy, before the mum may even be conscious that she is pregnant, so it’s essential the course of vitamins is started before conception.

An essential supplement

For a selection of reasons, most ladies don’t get enough folic acid from their diet alone: the body can only store the vitamin for 3 months, and it’s easily wiped out during cooking. The mother-to-be should thus ’stock up ‘ on folic acid by taking it in the form of a supplement before she plans to conceive. She should then continue to take the supplement across the period of conception till 13 weeks into her pregnancy. The recommended dose to stop spina bifida is 400mcg each day, but if there’s a history of the condition in your family, consult your doctor who may prescribe a higher dose.

Don’t Forget Vitamin B12

Each vitamin, mineral and trace component has its part to play, but some nutrients are very important during pregnancy. Vitamin B12 is one of the most crucial.

Vegans, take care!

In the West, few people have B12 deficiency, because of the high consumption of beef. Salad munchers who consume eggs and dairy goods are also not in danger. But vegans, who consume no products of animal origin at all, may well suffer from the condition, because this vitamin isn’t found in plants.

Firm vegans have only 2, irrelevant sources of B12 - yeast and bacteria - in their diet. However , as the body is able to store B12 for as much as 3 years, people whose diet is deficient in this might feel fine for a period of time, not realizing they’re exhausting their stocks. If you are a vegan, it is therefore desirable to take supplements of B12. You must also note that if you drink a lot of alcohol, it is likely that you’ll have a lack of other B group vitamins, particularly thiamine (B1) and folic acid.

‘Photocopying ‘ DNA

Like folic acid, B12 plays a very important element in cellular reproduction and falling pregnant. By means of a complicated process, it ‘photocopies ‘ DNA. Additionally, B12 is mandatory for the production of red blood cells, and it’s critical for healthy nerve cells because it produces myelin, the white sheath that surrounds nerve fibres.

Poppy Schneider is a fertility coach and newshound on subjects like the how to get pregnant fast, plus popular fertility manuals like Pregnancy Miracle.