Answers to folic acid quiz:
1. False: The protective effect of folic acid is achieved when the 0.4 milligrams of the vitamin is consumed at least one month prior to conception and through the first six weeks of pregnancy.
2. False: Folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of having a baby born wit NTD’s by at lest fifty percent.
3. True: The average America diet provided about 0.2 milligrams of folic acid, which is half of what is needed to reduce the risk for NTD’s. Dietary folic acid can be increased significantly by eating 2 - 4 servings of fruit, 3 5 servings of vegetables, and 6-11 servings of grain products per day, as recommended by the USDA "Food Guide Pyramid."
4. False: Both prenatal vitamins and multivitamin supplements can be good sources of the recommended 0.4 milligrams of folic acid. Check the label to be sure.
5. False: Folic acid and vitamin B6 are both B vitamins, but they do not have the same structure or function.
6. False: Foods high in folic acid are fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and cereals. Meat is a relatively poor source of folic acid, with the exception of beef and chicken liver.
7. False: Women who have the previous NTD pregnancy are twenty times more likely to have recurrence during the next pregnancy.
8. False: Instant cereal is fortified with folic acid, but bread currently is not. The FDA may decide soon to allow fortification of folic acid in flour.
9. True: One cup (8 oz.) Of orange juice contains about 0.1 milligram of folic acid.
10. True: You can make a difference in your community by spreading the word!