Folic Acid can "hide" a Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Are you taking a prenatal with Folic Acid? You may want to reconsider.
Why?
There are many reasons aside from it being a synthetic chemical, but one of the primary ones is that unmetabolized Folic Acid can actually mask a Vitamin B12 deficiency. And Vitamin B12 is uber important when it comes to pregnancy and supporting the proper growth and development of your baby.
“...whereas folic acid seemed to improve anaemia, the vitamin not only failed to prevent the
neurological complications of [Vitamin B12 deficiency] but actually precipitated or aggravated the neurological manifestations.
In summary, folic acid directly interferes with the natural history of both the anaemia and the nervous system manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency.” (Reynolds)
Plus, Vitamin B12 is also required for the proper metabolism of Folate (the very thing we’re trying to increase via Folic Acid supplementation)!
Learn more about Folate v Folic Acid, as well as what to look for in a prenatal in my eCourse, Conscious Conception. It’s available for pre-order now for $125 off with code PREHEATING125. Link is available in my bio! :)
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Not medical advice.
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Nichols, L. FOLATE: WHY IT’S SUPERIOR TO FOLIC ACID FOR PREGNANCY (EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE MTHFR). Retrieved from: https://lilynicholsrdn.com/folate-pregnancy-folic-acid-mthfr/.
Reynolds, E.H. (2002). Benefits and risks of folic acid to the nervous system. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1737896/.
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