What is the appropriate amount of folic acid intake

Many women take folic acid after pregnancy because it can relieve women's morning sickness to a certain extent. In addition, folic acid can reduce the possibility of cleft lip and palate in the fetus, and is of great help to the brain development of the fetus. In short, folic acid has many benefits for both pregnant women and fetuses, but there is a certain standard for the daily intake of folic acid, otherwise the content will be too high or too low.

If you are a frequent drinker, it is better to take more folic acid. Many people have taken 1-5 mg of folic acid every day for a short period of time, and the spots on their skin disappeared. If you feel as if you are about to get sick, or are already sick, you must take anti-stress nutritional supplements, but remember to check whether they contain enough folic acid first. When folic acid is insufficient, antibodies will decrease and resistance will weaken.

Intake criteria

All foods containing vitamin C, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, contain folic acid, and usually there is no need to supplement folic acid separately. The main function of folic acid is blood production. It may have an effect on the fetal neurological and intellectual development, but it is not important. If your diet is comprehensive, rich in animal and plant protein, various vitamins and inorganic salts (such as calcium, iron, zinc, etc.), there is no need to supplement folic acid.

The quantification of folic acid was performed entirely by microbiological methods [Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecalis R]. The required amount calculated from animal experiments is 0.1-0.2 mg per day. In medical use, doses up to 10 to 20 mg are still non-toxic.

Daily intake: The recommended daily intake for adults is 400 micrograms of DFE and 600 micrograms of DFE during pregnancy. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is 1000 micrograms of DFE per day. It is generally believed that for pregnant women without folic acid deficiency, the daily intake should not be too much. If necessary, take folic acid preparations specifically for pregnant women instead of the high-content folic acid (5 mg per tablet) commonly used to treat anemia.

● RNI (recommended intake): refers to the intake level that can meet the needs of the vast majority of individuals (97%~98%) in a specific gender, age and physiological condition group. Long-term intake of RNI levels can meet the body's needs for this nutrient, maintain appropriate nutrient reserves in tissues, and maintain health.

● UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level): refers to the maximum amount of a nutrient that can be consumed on average per day. When the intake exceeds the UL, the risk of toxic side effects increases.