Folate-deficiency anaemia Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, October 2008.
Answers to questions about folate-deficiency anaemia
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- I've heard that some women need to take a higher dose of folic acid during pregnancy. Is this true?
- Do men need to take folic acid supplements when planning for a baby?
- Is there a difference between folate and folic acid?
I've heard that some women need to take a higher dose of folic acid during pregnancy. Is this true?
Yes. If you're having a baby, or planning on having one, you need to take folic acid supplements. If you're at a high risk of having a child with a neural tube defect (NTD), you need to take a higher dose of folic acid supplement.
Explanation
If you or your partner has a NTD, such as spina bifida, or if you have previously had a pregnancy affected by a NTD, you will be at a higher risk of conceiving a child with a NTD. You will also fall into this high risk category if you have coeliac disease, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia (a group of blood-related disorders), or if you take antiepileptic medicine.
It's important that you begin taking folic acid supplements at an early stage, preferably as soon as you start trying for a baby, and for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, to reduce the risk of a NTD in your unborn child. The recommended dose of folic acid for women at normal risk of conceiving a baby with NTD is 400 micrograms (0.4mg) daily. If you're at a high risk of having a baby with a NTD, you should take a dose of 5,000 micrograms (5mg) daily.
It's also important that you get a good intake of folate from the food you eat as it doesn't occur naturally in your body. Folate is found in fresh dark green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, peas and green beans. Good sources also include liver, oranges, wholegrain bread and some fortified breakfast cereals.
Further information
- Food Standards Agency
www.food.gov.uk
Sources
- Pre-conception advice and management. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 2 July 2008
- Safe Upper Levels for Vitamins and Minerals. Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals, 2003. www.food.gov.uk
- Pregnancy. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 2 July 2008
- Greer I. Pregnancy. The inside guide. London: Harper Collins, 2003: 30-31
Do men need to take folic acid supplements when planning for a baby?
No, men aren't required to take folic acid supplements before trying for a baby. You still need to eat a healthy diet and you may wish to make some lifestyle changes to maximise your fertility and chances of conception.
Explanation
Although a recent study has suggested that a low intake of folate is linked to a low sperm count, there is not enough evidence to advise men to increase their intake of folate before they try to conceive. To increase your chances of conceiving a healthy baby it's important that you follow a healthy lifestyle.
You should eat a healthy balanced diet containing plenty of folate to prevent folate-deficiency anaemia. The recommended daily amount of folate for adults is 200 micrograms per day. If you eat a varied and well balanced diet then you should get all the folate you need. Folate is found in fresh dark green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and brussel sprouts, as well as liver.
When you're trying for a baby it's important that you moderate your alcohol intake as too much alcohol can decrease fertility. It's also a good idea to stop smoking as it can reduce your sperm count.
Further information
- Food Standards Agency
www.food.gov.uk
Sources
- Vitamins and Minerals. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 3 July 2008
- Greer I. Pregnancy. The inside guide. London: Harper Collins, 2003: 30-31
- Young SS, Eskenazi B, Marchetti FM, et al. The association of folate, zinc and antioxidant intake with sperm aneuploidy in healthy non-smoking men. Human Reproduction, 2008; 23:1014-1022. www.humrep.oxfordjournals.org
- Folic acid. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 3 July 2008
- Safe Upper Levels for Vitamins and Minerals. Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals, 2003. www.food.gov.uk
Is there a difference between folate and folic acid?
Yes, both are terms used for vitamin B9 but they come from different sources.
Explanation
Folate is the natural form of the B vitamin and can be found in fresh green vegetables such as peas, broccoli, green beans and spinach. It's also present in liver, oranges, nuts and chickpeas. Folate is more likely to be destroyed by cooking.
Folic acid is the man-made type of the B vitamin used in supplements and added to fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and spreads. Your body absorbs folic acid more efficiently because it's water soluble and doesn't need to be broken down before it can be absorbed.
Further information
- Food Standards Agency
www.food.gov.uk - British Nutrition Foundation
020 7404 6504
www.nutrition.org.uk
Sources
- Folic acid fortification. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 17 July 2008
- Greer I. Pregnancy. The inside guide. London: Harper Collins, 2003: 30-31
- Folate and folic acid. British Nutrition Foundation. www.nutrition.org.uk, accessed 17 July 2008
Related topics
- Folate-deficiency anaemia
- Anaemia - a general overview
- Preparing for pregnancy
- Routine care during your pregnancy
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: October 2008
Folate-deficiency anaemia factsheet
Visit the folate-deficiency anaemia health factsheet for more information.
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