Folic acid is a vitamin B complex essential to prevent malformations in the baby such as spina bifida and other congenital diseases. Therefore, women who wish to have a baby are recommended to take a folic acid supplement at least one month before becoming pregnant. But the baby is the fruit of the union of the female and male gamete, so it is logical that men also take folic acid before conception to avoid defects in the fetus.
The same when talking about other preventions such as quitting tobacco and alcohol to face a healthy pregnancy, these recommendations should also be adopted with the same responsibility by men.
As the authors of a Spanish study on congenital defects in the fetus, which appear in 6% -7% of pregnancies, not only the woman must prepare for pregnancy, because the child's biology also depends on 50% of the man.
Deficiency of folic acid affects the quality and mobility of sperm, which can result in damage to the genetic material of sperm that affects the formation of the fetus in the early stages of life.
Fruits and vegetables play an important role in improving sperm quality as they contain antioxidants as well as folic acid. Foods rich in folic acid are tomatoes, spinach, asparagus, red beets, oranges, avocados, strawberries and bananas, legumes and cereals.
The study is very reasonable: that men also prepare to have a healthy baby. As is the case during pregnancy and at the level of parenting, in the preparation of pregnancy the father should share responsibilities with the mother. In short, it is part of both.
That's why I see completely consistent that in addition to women, man also takes care of his food incorporating folic acid, or take it through a vitamin supplement if it affects reducing the chances of the baby suffering from a congenital defect.
