Folic Acid Important In Woman's Diet
Most women do not get enough folic acid in their diet to help protect their babies from life-threatening birth defects like spina bifida, which recently gained national attention when the afflicted Iraqi Baby Noor was taken to Georgia for surgery.
Folic acid, a B vitamin, can prevent up to 70 percent of some serious birth defects of a baby's brain or spine. Unfortunately, most women are unaware how important the vitamin is for both themselves and their babies. And, to prevent birth defects, it must be taken daily before pregnancy.
“Neural tube defects are the second most common serious birth defect,” said Laura Mitchell, Ph.D., principal investigator for the Spina Bifida Research Resource at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Houston. “The neural tube develops very early in pregnancy, often before a woman realizes she is pregnant. But, in some instances, women are still not aware of the need to take folic acid before conception, and in other cases, women feel they have a healthy diet and do not need to take a supplement.”
Further, folic acid is recommended for men and women of all ages. Indications are it may prevent birth defects of the heart, lip and palate and have other health benefits, such as improving heart health and protecting against some cancers.
In fact, in the United States, folic acid fortification of the food supply is now mandatory, Dr. Mitchell aid, and this mandate has been followed by a 30-percent decrease in the number of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects. However, even with food supply fortification, not all women will consume an adequate amount of folic acid daily.
Doctors say one of the easiest ways to ensure that you get the daily recommended 400 micrograms (µg) of folic acid is through supplements containing the vitamin, as most U.S. multi-vitamins have the recommended amount. You also can eat a bowl of cereal with 100 percent of the daily value of folic acid per serving, Dr. Mitchell said.
Institute of Biosciences and Technology
The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach, and research. Its five components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the School of Rural Public Health.
Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
2121 W. Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
United States
Folic acid, a B vitamin, can prevent up to 70 percent of some serious birth defects of a baby's brain or spine. Unfortunately, most women are unaware how important the vitamin is for both themselves and their babies. And, to prevent birth defects, it must be taken daily before pregnancy.
“Neural tube defects are the second most common serious birth defect,” said Laura Mitchell, Ph.D., principal investigator for the Spina Bifida Research Resource at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Houston. “The neural tube develops very early in pregnancy, often before a woman realizes she is pregnant. But, in some instances, women are still not aware of the need to take folic acid before conception, and in other cases, women feel they have a healthy diet and do not need to take a supplement.”
Further, folic acid is recommended for men and women of all ages. Indications are it may prevent birth defects of the heart, lip and palate and have other health benefits, such as improving heart health and protecting against some cancers.
In fact, in the United States, folic acid fortification of the food supply is now mandatory, Dr. Mitchell aid, and this mandate has been followed by a 30-percent decrease in the number of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects. However, even with food supply fortification, not all women will consume an adequate amount of folic acid daily.
Doctors say one of the easiest ways to ensure that you get the daily recommended 400 micrograms (µg) of folic acid is through supplements containing the vitamin, as most U.S. multi-vitamins have the recommended amount. You also can eat a bowl of cereal with 100 percent of the daily value of folic acid per serving, Dr. Mitchell said.
Institute of Biosciences and Technology
The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach, and research. Its five components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the School of Rural Public Health.
Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
2121 W. Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
United States
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