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Folic Acid: Women
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In the 1970s, it had become possible to fortify vitamins with folic acid, and there were some recommendations that flour be fortified with additional folic acid. The former was adopted with some limits, and the latter abandoned. By the late 80s and early 90s, the National Research Council had recommended, and FDA was considering, lowering the RDA from 400 mg. to 200 mg. per day. In 1990, the National Academy of Science went one step further. While recommending additional studies on folate intake prior to pregnancy, it suggested that "it would be desirable for women of childbearing years to follow dietary guidelines . . . increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and cereals." This report, according to almost all observers pitted supplement makers against nutritionists.
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Numerous studies have shown that the synthetic form of folic acid helps prevent NTDs. The IOM, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the March of Dimes recommend that women who could become pregnant consume 400 micrograms a day of the synthetic form of folic acid (1, 5). Women can get this amount by taking a multivitamin or eating a serving of cereal that contains 100 percent of the daily value (DV) of folic acid (400 micrograms) (1). Most multivitamins and about 50 breakfast cereals contain this amount in one serving (7). Other cereals contain only 25 percent of the recommended amount, so it is important to check the label on the box.
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Women need to get enough folic acid every day throughout their reproductive years. To prevent NTDs, a woman must take folic acid daily at least one month before she conceives and continue taking it through the first trimester (three months) of pregnancy. All women capable of becoming pregnant-not just those planning a pregnancy- should consume enough folic acid every day, because half of all the pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Remember, NTDs occur before many women know that they are pregnant. top
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Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains. Repeated studies have shown that women who get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70%.
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Non-cancer individuals supplementing their diet with folic acid may reduce the risk of cancer. Supplemental folic acid can be purchased over the counter and is ... fortified in breakfast cereals and whole grain products produced in the United States. The recommended intake for adults is 400 micrograms (mcg) each day. While the risk of upper limit toxicity is low, adult men and women should not exceed the advised upper limit of 1,000 mcg per day. It is especially important that individuals diagnosed with cancer seek the advice of medical professionals before commencing or continuing supplemental folic acid use because it may interact with chemotherapy.
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This campaign was designed to bring the folic acid message to teens and young women, to start healthy habits early. Introductory fliers are sent to Wisconsin high school teachers and college and university health centers at the end of August. Representatives from SBAWI are available for presentations to your group or event.
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