Can men take folic acid tablets?

Women who are preparing for pregnancy usually need to supplement folic acid. Folic acid can reduce birth defects, reduce miscarriage rates, and prevent anemia in pregnant women. It is very important for women. In the eyes of most people, folic acid is for women and not for men. In fact, men also need to take folic acid. Folic acid in men has a very important impact on sperm quality.

Can men take folic acid tablets?

If a man's body lacks folic acid, it may reduce the concentration of semen and even cause abnormal chromosome separation in sperm. Therefore, it is necessary for male friends who are preparing to become fathers to take folic acid tablets.

However, male friends are advised to take folic acid tablets together with female friends three months before female pregnancy, because the cycle from sperm production to ejaculation usually takes three months. Couples taking folic acid tablets together before pregnancy can more effectively prevent congenital neurological diseases in newborns. Once the female successfully becomes pregnant, the male can stop taking folic acid tablets.

Folic acid tablets are a type of vitamin over-the-counter medicine, the main ingredient of which is folic acid, and the auxiliary materials are starch, lactose, magnesium stearate, etc. In clinical practice, folic acid tablets are usually suitable for women preparing for pregnancy, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, etc., mainly used to prevent congenital neural tube defects and other diseases in the fetus.

Whether male or female, when taking folic acid tablets, they should understand that folic acid supplementation should be done in moderation. It does not mean that the more the better. Instead, they should consult a professional doctor or pharmacist based on the actual situation, and then take folic acid tablets as directed.

When should I start taking folic acid tablets?

The best effect of preventing neural tube defects is for women to supplement folic acid from one month before pregnancy to the end of three months after pregnancy, as this is the period of development of the fetal central nervous system. Since the folic acid level in women of childbearing age in my country is generally low, and the folic acid level in women's bodies will gradually decrease as the pregnancy period increases, it is more appropriate for women to start taking folic acid from the time of marriage or when planning pregnancy until the end of three months after pregnancy. Starting earlier and extending the time of taking folic acid is also beneficial to women themselves.

When a multiparous woman becomes pregnant again, she should also start taking the medicine 1-3 months before pregnancy to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects. Pregnant women who have the conditions can continue taking the medicine throughout the pregnancy and lactation period to benefit the health of the mother and the growth and development of the fetus and newborn.

The neural tube will develop into the baby's brain and spinal cord. The fetal neural tube closes within the first four weeks of pregnancy. By the time you realize you are pregnant, it may be four weeks into the pregnancy. At this time, it is too late to supplement folic acid to prevent neural tube defects. Folic acid is one of the main ingredients for preventing fetal neural tube defects. Generally, the fetal neural tube is complete 15 to 28 days after conception, so folic acid supplementation should start three months before pregnancy and continue until three months after pregnancy.

Plants with higher folic acid content include rapeseed, sunflower seeds, soybeans, broad beans, edamame, chrysanthemum, watercress, red beans, mung beans, water spinach, asparagus, spinach, pakchoy, cabbage, loofah, pumpkin, bitter melon, cauliflower, walnuts, chestnuts, lettuce, cabbage, rapeseed, cashews, etc.