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Food Supplementation With Folic Acid Could Substantially Reduce Neural-Tube Defects (p 2047)
December 18, 2002A public-health initiative to enrich cereal grain foods in Canada with folic acid has halved the prevalence of neural-tube defects among both unborn and newborn children, report authors of a research letter in this week's issue of THE LANCET.
Folic acid tablet supplementation around the time of conception is known to dramatically reduce the risk of neural-tube defects (affecting the brain and spinal cord) in unborn infants. Canada introduced folic acid fortification of grain foods in 1998, increasing daily folate in the Canadian population by 0.1-0.2 mg per day-in response to concern that women were not taking tablet supplements until after they had become pregnant, or not at all.
Joel Ray and colleagues from Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre and North York General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada, assessed the effect of food fortification on the prevalence of open neural tube defects in the province of Ontario. Around a third of a million women were screened for fetal neural tube defects over six years before and after the grain -fortification policy was introduced. The risk of neural tube defects was halved-from around 1.13 to 0.58 per 1000 births-after fortification was fully introduced.
Joel Ray comments: "Even under quite suitable conditions, neural tube defect prevention programmes based solely on periconceptional folic acid tablet supplementation seem to fall far short of achieving their potential effectiveness. On the basis of our results, and those of others, we recommend that other countries consider adopting a programme of folic-acid food fortification, in addition to encouraging increased use of periconceptional folic acid tablets. Epidemiological surveillance of the general population might also be initiated to monitor for any untoward effects related to folic acid fortification and to allow for modification of the programme as necessary."
Lancet
Joel Ray comments: "Even under quite suitable conditions, neural tube defect prevention programmes based solely on periconceptional folic acid tablet supplementation seem to fall far short of achieving their potential effectiveness. On the basis of our results, and those of others, we recommend that other countries consider adopting a programme of folic-acid food fortification, in addition to encouraging increased use of periconceptional folic acid tablets. Epidemiological surveillance of the general population might also be initiated to monitor for any untoward effects related to folic acid fortification and to allow for modification of the programme as necessary."
Lancet
Folic Acid Current Events and Folic Acid News RSSMortality Rates Reduced among Children Whose Mothers Received Iron-folic Acid Supplements
Offspring whose mothers had been supplemented with iron-folic acid during pregnancy had dramatically reduced mortality through age 7, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
News brief: Effects of aspirin and folic acid on inflammation markers for colorectal adenomas
Unexpectedly, inflammation markers do not appear to be involved with the chemopreventative effect of aspirin on colorectal adenomas, according to a brief communication published online October 12 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Essential nutrient found in eggs may help lower risk of neural tube defects
Research published online in the journal Epidemiology found that higher levels of total blood choline are associated with a 2.5-fold reduction in risk for neural tube birth defects (NTDs).
Anti-epilepsy drug risk on cognitive function for unborn children
Interim results of a study being conducted by scientists at the University of Liverpool suggest that children aged three years and younger, who are born to women taking the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate whilst pregnant, are likely to have an IQ of six to nine points lower than average.
Irish-led research team rule out link between specific antibodies and spina bifida
New research, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that a woman's risk of having a child with a neural tube defect (NTD), such as Spina Bifida, is not linked to folic acid related auto-antibodies.
Brain malformations significantly associated with preterm birth, Wake Forest research shows
New research out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine provides for the first time a solid scientific answer for the long-standing question of whether there is an association between preterm birth and brain malformations.
UCF researcher's nanoparticles could someday lead to end of chemotherapy
Nanoparticles specially engineered by University of Central Florida Assistant Professor J. Manuel Perez and his colleagues could someday target and destroy tumors, sparing patients from toxic, whole-body chemotherapies.
Some neural tube defects in mice linked to enzyme deficiency
Women of childbearing age can reduce the risk of having a child born with a neural tube defect such as spina bifida by eating enough folate or folic acid. However, folate prevents only about 70 percent of these defects.
Folic acid to prevent congenital heart defects
The Canadian policy of fortifying grain products with folic acid has already proved to be effective in preventing neural tube defects.
Taking folic acid for a year before pregnancy may reduce risk of preterm birth
Women who take folic acid supplements for at least one year before they become pregnant may cut their risk of having a premature baby by half, according to research published this week in the online journal, PLoS Medicine.
More Folic Acid Current Events and Folic Acid News Articles
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Spring Valley - Folic Acid 400 mcg, 250 Tablets by Schiff Nutrition International. Folic Acid is a B vitamin and is one of the factors involved with vitamin B-12 in the production of new red blood cells and the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the carriers of genetic information. |
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Nature Made Folic Acid 600 mcg with DHA - 300 Softgels by Nature Made Folic acid, also known as folate and folacin, is essential in cell division, DNA synthesis, and the manufacturing of brain chemicals, or neurotransmitters in the body. Without adequate levels of folic acid, cells do not divide properly. Folic acid is vital to the development of the nervous system of a fetus. A deficiency of folic acid during pregnancy has been linked to several birth defects, such as the neural tube defect spina bifida. Therefore, it is critical for women of child-bearing age to consume 400 mcg of folic acid per day. In addition, folic acid may also play a significant role in heart health. It does so by helping to keep homocysteine levels down in the blood. Homocysteine is a substance that formed when Vitamin B12 and folic acid levels are low, and research has indicated... |
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Spring Valley - Folic Acid 800 mcg, 250 Tablets by Nature's Bounty, Inc. Folic Acid is a B vitamin and is one of the factors involved with vitamin B-12 in the production of new red blood cells and the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the carriers of genetic information. |
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Nature Made Folic Acid Supplement, 400 mcg, 250-Count Tablets (Pack of 3) by Nature Made Nature Made Folic Acid 400mcg 3-pack/250-count |
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Folic Acid 800 mcg 250 Caps by Swanson Premium Brand Vital nutrition for heart-health and more! Folic acid not only provides valuable protection for the cardiovascular system by helping control harmful homocysteine, it also plays an essential role in prenatal nutrition. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, a healthful diet supplying 400 mcg of folic acid per day may reduce a woman's risk of having a child with birth defects of the brain or spinal cord. Our convenient capsules are a great way to ensure that you get a healthy supply of folic acid every day. |
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Source Naturals Folic Acid, 800 mcg, Tablets, 1000 tablets (Pack of 2) by Source Naturals Dietary supplement. Folic acid, along with Vitamin B-12, is required for the synthesis of DNA, the principal genetic material in the body. Because of this function, it is important in cell division and the healthy development and structure of red blood ce |
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TwinLab Folic Acid Caps, 800 mcg, 200 Capsules (Pack of 3) by Twinlab Dietary supplement. Crystalline pure. TwinLab Folic Acid Caps are easier to swallow and assimilate. Well tolerated by the most allergic individuals. No tablet binders, coatings or colorings. No added flavorings, sugars, salt, artificial sweeteners, colori |
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Ortho Molecular Products - Folic Acid 5 mg - 120 Capsules by Ortho Molecular Products For many seeking high doses of Folic Acid, a Folic supplement containing 5 mg has been previously available only through prescription, even though Folic has never been a pharmacy-only ingredient. A required component for the conversion of Homocysteine to methionine, Folic Acid supplementation reduces Homocysteine levels as demonstrated in many clinical studies. Regardless of initial Homocysteine levels, increased folic acid supplementation (up to 800 mcg) has been shown in research to enhance an increased Homocysteine lowering effect. Those with higher initial Homocysteine levels had greater lowering effects with Folic Acid. Low levels of daily Folic Acid intake have been associated with high serum Homocysteine levels, especially in the elderly. Current research is showing that aggressive... |
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Folic Acid 400mcg - 90 - Veg/Cap by Bluebonnet FOLIC ACID 400 mcg. Vcaps Available in easy-to-swallow vegetable capsules for maximum assimilation and absorption. Product No. 449 - 90 Capsules. |
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