Intake of Daily Folic Acid. Health, Medicine, Nursing Essay

Intake of Daily Folic Acid
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Intake of Daily Folic Acid
Physicians recommend folic acid extras to women before and after they get pregnant to minimize the risk of defects of neural tubes among infants. According to Toivonen et al. (2018), women should take 0.4 mg of the supplements daily for a month before their 12 weeks of gestation. Notably, some governments have introduced mandatory food fortification to upsurge the absorption of B- vitamin for fertile women. Enhanced folate sources are available from voluntary fortification, supplements, and fruits/vegetables. Although consumption of folic acid has numerous health benefits, a portion of women fails to follow the recommendations while others start supplementation late. Preconception counseling is an effective strategy for promoting healthy pregnancy behaviors and determining health outcomes in mothers.
Objective Summary
The core objective of the study is to examine the value of increasing the intake of folic acid for women of childbearing years in preconception health. The increase in children born with congenital disabilities results in devastating healthcare impacts. For that reason, healthcare providers recommend the need to increase overall intakes of folic acid supplements to minimize any risks of children born with any congenital disability. According to a recommendation of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women should take 0.4 mg of folic acid supplements daily (Bixenstine et al., 2015). Despite the health benefits of taking folic acid, some women in the United States fail to take folic acid supplements before and after they conceive. Therefore, healthcare practitioners should create awareness on the need to take supplements. Research findings indicate that low socio-economic status women and non-whites should be the main targets of the counseling since they are less likely to recognize folic acid supplementation.
The potential impact on the future of health
Women of childbearing age ought to attain and maintain ideal nutritional status before conception to minimize health risks to both infants and mothers. Although some women might lack knowledge on preconception nutrition and supplementation, healthcare providers should ensure that they provide them with all relevant information. According to Bixenstine et al. (2015), neural tube defect is one of the prevailing problems affecting infants across the United States and other parts of the world. For that reason, healthcare providers recommend folic acid during the first trimester of pregnancy and even before conception.
Evidence-based and cost-effective interventions
Over the years, preconception counseling and income status have proved to be effective interventions in increasing the intake of folic acid supplements. Education and economic status are significant factors that determine increased intakes of folic acid supplements. Highly educated women can read and comprehend information regarding folic acid supplements. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acclaim daily supplementation of 0.4 folic acids for all the women of childbearing age. Currently, the increasing episodes of neural tube shortcomings are par...