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Fortifying food with folic acid benefits babies
September 23, 2004Adding folic acid to food can dramatically reduce the incidence of spina bifida and other birth defects. A study, published today in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, shows that the proportion of babies born with neural tube defects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador dropped by 78% after the Canadian Government directed that folic acid must be added to flour, cornmeal and pasta. The study supports the continuation of this food fortification strategy.
The way that folic acid works to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in developing babies is poorly understood, yet the evidence that this vitamin is of benefit is clear. Since 1992, many health organizations have recommended that women take 400 micrograms of supplemental folic acid per day before conception and in the early weeks of pregnancy.
In 1998 the Canadian Government introduced the mandatory fortification of some foods with folic acid to help ensure that all women of childbearing age increased their intake of this vitamin.
Dr. Catherine McCourt, from the Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada, and her colleagues from other Canadian institutes studied the effects of this folic acid fortification in women and babies from Newfoundland and Labrador. Historically, this province has one of the highest rates of neural tube defects in North America.
The researchers found that the food fortification increased the dietary intake of folic acid in the studied women of childbearing age by 70 micrograms per day, on average. The blood folate levels of these women and of the sample of seniors 65 years and older increased significantly.
The incidence of neural tube defects in the province reduced from an average of 4.36 defects per 1000 births between 1991 and 1997, prior to fortification, to an average of 0.96 defects per 1000 births between 1998 and 2001, once fortification was introduced.
Over the study period, the number of women aged between 19 and 44 who took folic acid supplements rose significantly from 17% to 28%. It was not possible in this study to determine the separate contributions of food fortification and supplement use to the decline in neural tube defects. Therefore, the authors stress that, "public education regarding folic acid supplement use by women of childbearing age should continue."
There has been some debate about whether an increased intake of folic acid could mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, a disorder that affects 10-15% of the population over 60. Yet this study provided no evidence for a deterioration in vitamin B12 status in seniors, and no evidence that improved levels of blood folate masked this vitamin deficiency.
BioMed Central Limited
Dr. Catherine McCourt, from the Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada, and her colleagues from other Canadian institutes studied the effects of this folic acid fortification in women and babies from Newfoundland and Labrador. Historically, this province has one of the highest rates of neural tube defects in North America.
The researchers found that the food fortification increased the dietary intake of folic acid in the studied women of childbearing age by 70 micrograms per day, on average. The blood folate levels of these women and of the sample of seniors 65 years and older increased significantly.
The incidence of neural tube defects in the province reduced from an average of 4.36 defects per 1000 births between 1991 and 1997, prior to fortification, to an average of 0.96 defects per 1000 births between 1998 and 2001, once fortification was introduced.
Over the study period, the number of women aged between 19 and 44 who took folic acid supplements rose significantly from 17% to 28%. It was not possible in this study to determine the separate contributions of food fortification and supplement use to the decline in neural tube defects. Therefore, the authors stress that, "public education regarding folic acid supplement use by women of childbearing age should continue."
There has been some debate about whether an increased intake of folic acid could mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, a disorder that affects 10-15% of the population over 60. Yet this study provided no evidence for a deterioration in vitamin B12 status in seniors, and no evidence that improved levels of blood folate masked this vitamin deficiency.
BioMed Central Limited
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.
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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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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 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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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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