Folic Acid

The vitamin that helps prevent birth defects

The brain and spinal cord are the most important parts of a person's nervous system.  They control how you think and move. The nervous system begins to grow in the first few weeks of life. About 2,500 babies are born with neural tube defects (NTD's) each year. This includes conditions such as spina bifida, and anencephaly, which means the baby's brain and skull do not develop fully, and the baby will be disabled and could die.

Folic Acid

Folic Acid is an important vitamin found in many foods, also known as "folate". It's especially important for women who could become pregnant because folic acid can help prevent birth defects.

Start each day with Folic Acid

A large glass of orange juice and a bowl of fortified cereal is an easy breakfast to fix and a healthy way to start your day. This type of breakfast will give you half the recommended daily amount of folic acid, which is 400 micrograms.

Taking a multivitamin that has 0.4 mg (400 micrograms) of folic acid is another way of getting the recommended daily amount. It is important to take a vitamin every day before you get pregnant and during pregnancy. Ask your doctor which kind of vitamin is best for you.

It is easy to be sure that your diet contains folic acid. You will be surprised at how many foods and juices contain folic acid. See the list below for some examples:

VEGETABLES	GRAINS	FRUITS	PEAS & BEANS
Asparagus Beets Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Corn Green Beans Leaf Lettuce Peas Spinach Turnip Greens	Enriched Bread Flour Tortillas Fortified Cereals Frozen Waffles Grains Pasta & Rice Pizza crust Wheat Germ	Bananas Blackberries Cantaloupe & other melons Oranges Orange & Pineapple juice Papaya Raspberries Strawberries	Bake Beans Black Beans Chick Peas Lentils Lima Beans Navy Beans Peanuts Pinto Beans Soy Beans Tofu, firm

OTHER

Whole eggs (cooked)

                                                                                                                                                      

Who needs extra folic acid?                                                                                                                                            

Women who may need more folic acid include: frequent dieters, drug or alcohol users, smokers, women on "the pill", and women who consistently do not eat well-balanced meals. These women should pay close attention to their diets if they are considering becoming pregnant, and discuss their concerns with their health care providers.

Women who have had babies with neural tube defects (NTDs) and want to become pregnant again should speak with their doctors before planning their next pregnancy.

                 

Call us at 518-426-1153 or e-mail us at Information@communitycradle.org for more information on folic acid consumption.

 

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