Adequate nutrition combined with a quality prenatal vitamin is SO IMPORTANT for a healthy mama and developing baby.
Did you know prenatal health starts BEFORE you become pregnant?
It’s recommended that any person in their child bearing years take prenatal vitamins up to a year before trying to conceive. 🤰🏼
It can be super overwhelming trying to understand the differences between which type of Vitamin B9 you should be taking during preconception and pregnancy.
That's why I've gathered several articles from some of my favorite sources (#Harvard #WebMD #Healthline) to help educate and empower you to make an informed choice about the #prenatal vitamin that's right for you.
I have so many thoughts I'd like to share on this topic, but for the sake of brevity I've created a synopsis below for those who don't have the patience to read along for the estimated 6 minutes of blog post ahead. Hopefully it makes sense and you enjoy it! Please also let me know what you think in the comments at the bottom.
TAKE HOME:
Preconception nutrition is #HELLA important.
Here are 5 early steps you can take to make sure your body is healthy when it's time to conceive:
1. Make yourself familiar with the differences between folic acid, folate, and methyl folate.
2. Aim to consume your primary form of folate from whole foods in your diet.
3. Be sure to supplement with a prenatal formula that has methyl folate.
4. Consult with your Doctor if you have any questions about which vitamins might be the right ones for you.
5. Want a free consultation and a personalized recommendation?
Call (585) 252-2099 or schedule a Virtual Consultation below:
If you’re a current practice member of Rochester House Call Chiropractic, and want to purchase your prenatals now, click on PLACE ORDER below to login through your Fullscript account.
Not a member? It's free to sign up and all you need is an email!
Once you login, we'll connect to discuss your health concerns and then I’ll send you a personalized recommendation for the formula that’s best for you.
Did I mention YOU CAN USE YOUR HSA OR FSA for payment of supplements? And is delivered straight to your door?
It's so easy, just click on PLACE ORDER below:
Ready to learn more information and resources when it comes to the differences between #folicacid #folate #methylfolate ?
Read on and drop some comments with any additional knowledge or questions!
What are the health benefits of taking folic acid during pregnancy?
Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, RN, CRNA on August 23, 2016 — Written by Annette McDermott
⠀ “Folic acid is a B vitamin found in many supplements and fortified foods. It’s the synthetic form of folate. Folic acid is used by your body to make new cells and produce DNA. It’s required for normal growth and development throughout your life. ⠀⠀ Taking folic acid is particularly vital before and during pregnancy. It’s important for the proper organ development of a developing baby.
Research shows that taking folic acid before you get pregnant may help prevent birth defects including serious neural tube defects such as spina bifida, encephalocele (rarely), and anencephaly. ⠀⠀ Approximately 3,000 babies are born with neural tube defects in the United States each year. Normally, the neural tube develops into the spinal cord and brain by 28 days after conception.
If the neural tube doesn’t close properly, neural tube defects occur. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ According to a 2015 review of studies, maternal folic acid supplementation significantly decreases the risk of congenital heart defects. These defects occur in 8 out of every 1,000 births in the United States each year. ⠀⠀ According to the American Heart Association, congenital heart defects happen when the heart or blood vessels don’t grow normally before birth. They may impact the interior walls of the heart, the heart valves, or the arteries and veins of the heart. ⠀⠀ Research also shows folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy may help prevent cleft lip and cleft palate. These birth defects occur if parts of the mouth and lip do not merge together properly during the first 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy. One or more surgeries are usually needed to correct the condition.
There’s no way to prevent all birth defects with 100 percent certainty. Taking adequate amounts of folic acid before and during pregnancy may help decrease your risk of:
⠀⠀
* neural tube defects
* congenital heart defects
* cleft palate
* cleft lip
⠀⠀
If pregnancy is in your future, consider adding a prenatal vitamin to your daily routine.
⠀⠀
Prenatal vitamins are available in capsule, tablet, and chewable forms.
⠀⠀
To avoid stomach upset, take prenatal vitamins with food.
⠀⠀
Always talk to your doctor about taking the correct dose of prenatal vitamin because taking too many supplements can be toxic for your baby-to-be.
⠀⠀
You should also add foods fortified with folic acid to your diet.
⠀⠀
Don’t wait until you find out you’re pregnant to get serious about folic acid. By then, it may be too late.
⠀⠀
Talk to your doctor to determine the right amount of folic acid you’ll need.”
🤔 Do you know the difference between folate and folic acid? ⠀⠀ “Folate, formerly known as folacin, is the generic term for both naturally occurring food folate and folic acid, the fully oxidized monoglutamate form of the vitamin that is used in dietary supplements and fortified foods. ⠀⠀ It is a B vitamin that's important for cell growth and metabolism. ⠀⠀ Studies show that many people in the U.S. don't get enough folic acid. ⠀⠀ Don't be confused by the terms folate and folic acid. They have the same effects. ⠀⠀ Folate is the natural version found in foods. ⠀⠀ Folic acid is the man-made version in supplements and added to foods.”
⠀⠀ For full article: https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-folic-acid#1
“Folate is an important micronutrient found in abundance throughout your diet. ⠀⠀ Eating a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, as well as fortified foods, is an easy way to increase your folate intake. ⠀⠀ Not only are these foods rich in folate, but they are also high in other key nutrients that can improve other aspects of your health.” ⠀⠀ 15 Healthy Foods That Are High in Folate (Folic Acid)
1. Legumes 2. Asparagus 3. Eggs 4. Leafy Greens 5. Beets 6. Citrus Fruits 7. Brussel Sprouts 8. Broccoli 9. Nuts and Seeds 10. Beef Liver 11. Wheat Germ 12. Papaya 13. Bananas 14. Avocado 15. Fortified Grains ⠀⠀ Written by Rachael Link, MS, RD on May 22, 2018
Methylfolate: You body’s preferred form of folate. ⠀⠀ "Current recommended daily intake (RDI) for folate is 400 mcg for adults and children over the age of 4, and 200 mcg for children ages 3 and younger. ⠀⠀ Pregnant and nursing women need two times as much folate as other adults. The FDA recommends 600 mcg of folate per day for all women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant. ⠀⠀ Folate is a nutrient found naturally in foods. Folic acid, on the other hand, is a synthetic form of folate that is found in most supplements. In order to use both naturally occurring folate and synthetic folic acid, our bodies must convert these forms into methylfolate. ⠀⠀ But some research estimates that up to 40% of the population cannot make this conversion efficiently. If you cannot make the conversion, you could potentially develop low levels of folate even if you’re eating plenty of folate-rich foods and supplementing with folic acid. ⠀⠀ Methylfolate does not need to be converted, meaning our bodies can use it immediately. All {Smartypants} multivitamin products use methylfolate, and the only gummy vitamin on the market to offer it. ⠀⠀ Taking a supplement with methylfolate ensures you get 100% of the folate you need every day."
So where does one find a supplement that has METHYLFOLATE?
⠀⠀ #Smartypants Prenatal Formula is the only prenatal gummy vitamin on the market that contains methylfolate which is the most absorbable form of folate - so you know you’re getting what you need even if your diet isn’t quite on point. 🥗✅
The upgraded formula is free of GMOs, synthetic colors, artificial flavors, preservatives and salicylates. It’s also free of many allergens such as yeast, wheat, milk, eggs, soy, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, & shellfish! 🙌🏼 ⠀⠀ Not to mention, these vitamins are super yummy and so much easier to take than whole pills. 🤤 ⠀⠀ As a professional, I only want the best for my patients and IMHO you can’t do better than #smartypantsprenatals 🧠 ⠀⠀ Want to give some a try? Comment below and I’ll hook you up with some samples! 👍🏼 ⠀⠀ Ready to purchase a whole bottle for yourself or your partner?
If you’re a current practice member of Rochester House Call Chiropractic, click below to login (or sign up for free!!) through your Fullscript account and I’ll send you a personalized recommendation for the version that’s best for you (along with a sweet little discount on your purchase too 😉)
⠀⠀ Getting the right prenatal doesn't have to be complicated.
As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly -
I’m happy to help! 🤗
Yours in Health,
Dr. Bethany Buryta
Rochester House Call Chiropractic
