Folic acid, in China, is probably the most well-known preventive medicine available. The reason for this is that it has a clear clause in its instructions that says “Preventive medicine for women during pregnancy and lactation.” So, today I want to discuss with you: folic acid! Do we really need prolonged prophylaxis? In fact, I have been wanting to write this article for a long time, but I have not been able to do so for many reasons, and I am most worried that this subversive challenge will not end. Today, I would like to take advantage of the online platform to learn the pros and cons of taking folic acid, and I would like to ask you to judge whether to prevent it before and after pregnancy. The main function of folic acid is to treat megaloblastic anemia and chronic hemolytic anemia caused by various causes of folic acid deficiency. Its adverse effects are mainly gastrointestinal symptoms such as food aversion, nausea and abdominal distension that can occur with long-term use. One of its medication precautions clearly states that “oral administration of high doses of folic acid can affect the absorption of the trace element zinc.” Okay, so let’s think about this: before taking folic acid, were we diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia or chronic hemolytic anemia? Were the gastrointestinal symptoms that occurred while taking the drug caused by long-term prophylactic use of folic acid? If an overdose of folic acid can lead to a deficiency of “zinc”, what is the effect of “zinc” on the fetus? As the saying goes, “every medicine has its own toxicity”, and folic acid is found in the human body at a very low level. Early pregnancy reactions in early pregnancy, mainly gastrointestinal symptoms, also need to be ruled out as a result of folic acid overdose. The role of zinc in the human body is explained as follows: zinc is the “spark of life and intelligence” in the body, without which there is no growth and development. It is the activator of enzymes in the body, participates in their synthesis and metabolism, promotes the growth of tissues, helps in their repair and is an important substance for intellectual development. Zinc deficiency in pregnant women can lead to loss of appetite and poor digestion, which affects the supply of nutrients needed for the fetus. For the fetus, zinc deficiency can affect the growth and development of important organs such as the inner uterus, brain, pancreas and thyroid gland. If there is an excess of folic acid during pregnancy, which affects the absorption of zinc, it will definitely have some adverse effects on the pregnant woman and the fetus.