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Home › Articles › Pregnancy › Fabulous Folic Acid

Fabulous Folic Acid

A Tool to Prevent Birth Defects

By Teri Brown

Pages:  1  2  3  

  • Rapid or irregular heart rate
  • Chest pain
    • How Much is Enough?
    "Although everyone needs folic acid, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) makes a special recommendation for women," says Normand. "It is recommended that all women of childbearing age consume at least 400 micrograms of synthetic folic acid daily."

    Normand says even though folate is the natural form of this B vitamin, they have found the synthetic form – folic acid – is better absorbed by our bodies. The synthetic form can be found in the form of a supplement such as in a multivitamin or from foods that have been fortified. "Fortified food sources are some breakfast cereals, most enriched breads, flours, cornmeals, rice, noodles, macaroni and other grain products," says Normand. "These foods are fortified at a level of 140 micrograms of folic acid per 100 grams of bread and other grain products."

    What Foods Contain Folic Acid?
    The Institute of Medicine recommends women eat a diet rich in foods containing folate or folic acid.

    Folate can be found in foods such as:

    • Orange juice and other citrus fruits and juices
    • Green leafy vegetables
    • Beans, peas and lentils
    • Broccoli and asparagus
    • Whole-grain products

    Folic acid can be found in:

    • A daily multivitamin
    • Enriched or "fortified" grain products such as flour, rice, pasta, cornmeal, breads and cereals

    Taking a vitamin is such a simple action to prevent such debilitating birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly (an underdeveloped brain). By taking the recommended amount of folic acid, we can all do our part to decrease birth defects and raise healthy babies.


    Pages:  1  2  3  

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