Summary: Preventing Birth Defects With Folic Acid

12. The effect on the blood folate levels were that the exposed group had lower levels of folate left in the blood.

How can anyone have a deficiency? Despite advances in vitamin research over the last century, millions of people around the globe still suffer from vitamin deficiency diseases. In the United States, the plentiful and

However, absorption cannot occur in the absence of IF. Once in the circulation B12 binds to a transport protein and is taken to the liver, bone marrow, and other proliferating cells. Most individuals with normal absorption have no issue acquiring the needed daily amount. The cause of Malabsorption of both folate and B12 is from lack of IF, gastric surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and hyperthyroidism (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar Bailey, Sandberg-Cook, 2013). Healthy adults may consider taking supplemental crystalline vitamin B12 (Stabler, 2013). However, treatment is not necessary for asymptomatic anemia. Deficiency related to IF indicates a need for 1000 mcg of B12 intramuscular injections weekly for eight weeks and then monthly for life. Treatment for macrocytic anemia resulting from folate insufficiency is 1 mg of folic acid PO daily until the patient achieves an adequate hemoglobin level and indefinitely if patient has an underlying illness or an inadequate diet (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar Bailey, Sandberg-Cook,

Did you know that diet plays a major role in baby's growth and development? The principles of healthy eating are the same during preconception period as well as pregnancy; the amount depends on your height, weight, physical activity and due date. The focus should be plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. The important nutrients needed for a healthy maternal and fetal outcome are folic acid, iron, calcium, Vitamin D and protein.

First, I am going to talk about what spina bifida is. It is a congenital disability from the spine

During it is important to take “a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin with 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day. Folic acid is most important in the early stages of pregnancy, but [a women] should continue taking folic acid throughout pregnancy” (Prenatal Care Factsheet). Folic acid can be found in almost all prenatal vitamins, but you can also get amounts of eat by eating certain healthy foods (Folic acid). These foods include orange juice, spinach, broccoli, and Asparagus (Folic acid). Folic acid is so important to be taken before and during early pregnancy because “it may help reduce their baby’s risk for birth defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects” (Folic acid). Although folic acid helps your baby’s development while in the womb and should be taken throughout pregnancy, “Folic acid works only if taken before getting pregnant and during the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman may know she’s pregnant” (Folic acid). Also certain medicines during pregnancy should not be taken as they can cause side effects or other problems inside the womb (Prenatal Care Factsheet). X-rays can also pose a problem during pregnancy; the radiation can cause health problems and birth defects (Prenatal Care Factsheet). One very important immunization is the flu shot; pregnant women should be sure to get one. Pregnant

As most people, you are your best medical care advocate. You must inquire early about your vitamin D levels almost every time you see your healthcare provider and get blood work done. If you show signs of lower vitamin D levels, you should make a plan with your doctor for ways to reach a recommended level. Some people can achieve a recommended level through diet or sun exposure, however, getting enough through food and sun exposure comes with its own risks. Those individuals who cannot achieve the recommended levels through diet or sun exposure can take supplements in a pill form. There is some information online about recommended daily intake levels, but levels will vary from each individual. Setting up a plan with your healthcare provider for how much vitamin D you need to take and continual monitoring is the best route. These is some adverse effects that involve the cardiovascular system and kidneys, therefore, I would highly recommend making a plan with your health care

Supplementation: Vitamin A supplementation every 6 month in the form of capsule (had shown to decrease mortality and blindness), Folic acid supplement

However, not having enough folate in a pregnant women’s diet while pregnant or after, and genetic or environmental factors can contribute to Spina Bifida. It is recommended that women consume folic acid in the form of prenatal vitamins before, during, and after pregnancy to help prevent spina bifida. Pregnant women should not sit in saunas or hot tubs since this could increase the chance of having a baby with Spina Bifida.

Rates are also higher among mothers with certain health problems, such as diabetes or seizure disorders (taking certain anticonvulsants), and significantly higher among couples in which at least one has SB, and couples who have already had a child with SB.” But, as “The HealthDay News” reporter Robert Preidt noticed: “Serious birth defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects have fallen 35 percent in the United States since mandatory folic acid fortification of enriched grain products.” Since that moment, 1,300 fewer babies are born annually with neural tube defects. However, the Mayo Clinic Staff point out that doctors and researchers do not know for why SB occurs, they have identified few risk factors: race, some medications, and family history of neural tube defects which are defined early in the paragraph. Also, sex, folate deficiency, diabetes, obesity, and increased body temperature can be considered as risk factors of developing SB. First is sex, girls are effected more often. Second, folate (vitamin B-9) is important to the health development of a baby. The systemic form, found in supplements and fortified foods, is called folic acid. “The Genetics Home Reference” noticed that the gene called MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) provides instructions for making a protein that is involved in processing the folate, and shortage (deficiency) of this vitamin

Eating a balanced diet and intake of 400 mg of folic acid daily during pregnancy helps prevent several birth defects.6

Vitamin intake is a commonly overlooked necessity in basic nutritional health. What most people do not know is that certain vitamin deficiencies can cause many health risks and problems. Many people believe that are getting all the vitamins they need from their diet, however most of the time they are not. One of the most common vitamin deficiencies is the low intake of Vitamin D. There are some vitamins that are produced by the body such as vitamin K; however some of the most important vitamins are not produced by the body. Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that our body needs to function correctly that is not naturally produced by the body. Vitamin D can be consumed through

Folic acid plays many important roles in the body. There is no doubting that it is essential. The reason that we need a constant stream of it is because it is not stored in large quantities in the body. It is water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins are stored for longer in our system. When ingested, the body uses what it can and the rest comes out in urine, in very little time the body will need more. We discussed how pregnant women get a proven benefit, and studies continue on its role in reducing risks of other diseases, but regardless of what additional benefits are found, it is clear that without folic acid in our bodies, we would not be alive. Folic acid aids in the production of red blood cells and the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Folate even has a role in the digestive system! It works with vitamins B12 and C to help the body digest and synthesize proteins. Lastly, folic acid helps tissues grow and cells function, it is an integral part of the body working as it should.

Toward the middle of the 1900s, a compound called folic acid was synthesized to mimic a compound in the pteroylgutamate family, known as Folate. Folate is found naturally in foods such as kale, spinach and other leafy greens, but folic acid does not exist in nature and must be artificially created. This artificial substance had never before been used in the human diet, but in 1998 the Food and Drug Agency legislated that widely consumed products such as breads, cereals, and many other commercial grains be fortified with this compound. The driving force for this legislation came as a result of the wide spread prevalence of neural tube defects, spinabifida and other developmental issues resulting from deficiency.

Folate is a natural occurrence in foods such as beans and pulses (e.g. lentils and chickpeas), leafy green vegetables, broccoli, spinach, tuna and oranges (Tiran, 2000). Some foods are also fortified with folic acid such as cereals and bread. Late in the 1990’s United State scientists came to the realisation that despite the availability of folic acid in supplements as well as foods available in the supermarkets, people were still finding it a challenge to meet their daily folate requirement; with this in mind the United States of America implemented the folate fortification program (Latimes.com). For women of childbearing age, folic acid consumption needed to be increased so in January of 1998 the United States food and drug administration authorised a folic acid fortification of all products containing grain. The