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Multivitamins with 0.4 - 0.8 mg of folic acid are best in birth defect prevention
May 27, 2004Periconceptional use of folic acid supplements is effective for the primary prevention of neural-tube defects and is recommended by reproductive health researchers.
Recent research in this area, however, centres on two main debated questions. The first one is whether the use of folic acid alone or folic acid-containing multivitamins is better. The second one is whether high dose of folic acid (e.g. 5 mg) might be better than a daily multivitamin with low dose 0.4 - 0.8 mg of folic acid. This paper by Prof. Andrew E. Czeizel, receiver of 2002 award of US National Council on Folic Acid for Excellence in Research in the Field of Folic Acid and Birth Defects Prevention, presents a comparison of study of two intervention trials and a case-control surveillance of congenital abnormalities that involve very large population. The study was published by International Journal of Medical Sciences - http://www.medsci.org
The first intervention trial is a randomized controlled trial involving 2,819 participants supplemented with multivitamins containing 0.8 mg of folic acid, and 2,683 unsupplemented participants. And the second intervention trial is a two-cohort controlled trial involving 3,069 participants supplemented with the same multivitamins, and 3,069 unsupplemented participants. The case-control surveillance of congenital abnormalities includes 30,054 pregnant women who received high dose (in general 6 mg) of folic acid supplementation - in a much larger racially homogeneous European-Caucasican population.
The pooled findings of these trials indicate that approximately 92% of neural-tube defects may be prevented by the supplemented multivitamins containing 0.8 mg of folic acid. A comparison of these results shows that multivitamins containing 0.8 mg of folic acid were more effective for the reduction of neural-tube defects than high dose of folic acid. Both multivitamins and folic acid can prevent some part of congenital cardiovascular malformations. Only multivitamins were able to reduce the prevalence at birth of obstructive defects of urinary tract, limb deficiencies and congenital pyloric stenosis, while folic acid was effective in preventing some part of rectal/anal stenosis/atresia, and high dose of folic acid had effect in preventing some orofacial clefts. In a separated study, Smithells et al. used a multivitamin containing 0.36 mg of folic acid and they were able to prevent 91% of recurrent neural-tube defects. In light of these findings, it is recommended the daily use of multivitamin supplement including 0.4 - 0.8 mg of folic acid for pregnant women to prevent neural-tube defects and some other congenital abnormalities.
Medsci.org
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
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UCF researcher's nanoparticles could someday lead to end of chemotherapy
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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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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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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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