Folic Acid Can Prevent Birth Defects
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious defects, affecting about 4,000 pregnancies in the United States each year. Of these pregnancies, approximately 2,500 result in babies born with the two most common NTDs - spina bifida and anencephal. Probably the most exciting discovery that has occurred in more than 20 years of birth defects research and prevention is the role that nutrition may play in preventing serious birth defects like NTDs. Solid evidence from randomized controlled trials shows that we can prevent at least 50% of the cases of spina bifida and ancencephaly.
Increasing your intake of B vitamin folate BEFORE you get pregnant and during the first 28 days of pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk of having a baby with a birth defect of the brain or spine.
Also called folic acid or folacin, folate is found in a variety of foods such as orange, pineapple and grapefruit juice, fortified breakfast cereals; beans and lentils; spinach and other green leafy vegetables, liver and in most over-the-counter multivitamins. Everyone needs folate in their diet. In addition to reducing brain and spine birth defects, it has been shown to reduce the chances of developing certain types of cancer and heart disease.
Most women, when they find they are pregnant, take prenatal vitamins, which contain the right amount of folate. However, you need folate BEFORE you become pregnant, because a baby’s spine and brain develop in the first weeks of pregnancy. So, even if you’re not planning a baby, it’s a good idea to add folate-rich foods to your diet.
The U.S. Public Health Service recommends all women between the ages of 15 and 45 get an extra 0.4 milligrams of folate daily, If you have already had a baby with defect of the brain or spine, you should check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the right amount of folate for you.
Related Links
The March of Dimes Web Site - Having a Healthy Baby