AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
Survey finds folic acid vitamin use by women at all-time high.
2004 OCT 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A record 40% of American women of childbearing age reported taking a daily multivitamin containing folic acid in 2004, up from 32% in 2003 and the highest level since the March of Dimes began surveying women in the 1990s.
This is according to the organization's latest survey, published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's September 17, 2004, Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report. First author on the report is Heather K. Carter, MPH, of the Association for Teachers of Preventive Medicine.
"Frankly, we're surprised at this increase, but it's good news," says Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "The increase is especially important because we've been very worried about the effects on mothers and babies of popular low-carbohydrate diets that drastically reduce grain foods enriched with folic acid, such as bread and pasta. However, our survey finds that 49% of women who have been on low-carb diets in the past 6 months said they actually took a daily multivitamin containing folic acid. So perhaps these women are taking their vitamins because they realize they're missing out on important food groups."
Howse said, though, that low-carb and other diets could not be the only reason behind the increase because rates of folic acid use were also higher than expected for women not dieting (39%). She also said the March of Dimes urges all women to eat a varied, healthy diet before and during pregnancy.
Of women who were not pregnant at the time of the 2004 survey, 37% reported taking a vitamin containing folic acid daily, up from 30% in 2003.
Daily consumption of the B vitamin folic acid beginning before pregnancy is crucial because serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects (NTDs) occur in the early weeks following conception, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.
The survey was conducted for the March of Dimes by The ...
- Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia
- Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed. Haggerty, Maureen; Odle, Teresa January 1, 2006 700+ words
...levels, as will taking a folic acid supplement containing...this vitamin. Because folic acid deficiency can cause birth defects, all women of childbearing age...at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily; a woman who is pregnant should...
- Folic acid: too much of a good thing? Food folate to the rescue.
- Magazine article from: Environmental Nutrition Antinoro, Linda March 1, 2008 700+ words
...that can occur in women who don't get enough folic acid in the first few weeks...Swedish study found that women with the highest folate/folic acid intakes (456 micrograms...micrograms of supplemental folic acid a day. The women with the highest total...
- Folic Acid
- Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed. Paradox, Patience January 1, 2006 700+ words
...elevated levels. Pregnant women have an increased need for folic acid, both for themselves...per day for pregnant women, and 500 mcg for nursing women. Medicinal dosages of...prescribed. Precautions Folic acid is not stable. It is...
- Folic acid: once overlooked, now a nutrient on the brink of stardom.
- Magazine article from: Environmental Nutrition Platzman, Andrea D. January 1, 1998 700+ words
...development. But because women need the extra folic acid in the first weeks...important for all women of childbearing...400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Yet most...in Birmingham, women with low levels of folic acid who had been exposed...
- FOLIC ACID: THE GREAT PROTECTOR.
- Magazine article from: Health Products Business Bushkin, Gary Bushkin, Estitta March 1, 2000 700+ words
...shortage or absence of folic acid, the genetic process...directly attributable to folic acid deficiency, primarily...first trimester. For all women of childbearing age, taking 400-800 mcg of folic acid daily along with folate...
- Folic acid and food fortification. (debate over fortifying grains, flours,...
- Magazine article from: Food Processing Becker, Gail L. May 1, 1994 700+ words
...ensuring that all women of childbearing...400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Folic acid...timing is critical. Women are advised to start...400 micrograms of folic acid at least three months...recommended all women of childbearing...400 micrograms of folic ...
- Folic acid.(Monograph)
- Magazine article from: Alternative Medicine Review September 1, 2005 700+ words
Introduction Folic acid, also known generically as folate...works in concert with vitamin B 12. Folic acid functions primarily as a methyl-group...including DNA synthesis. Therapeutically, folic acid is instrumental in reducing homocysteine...
- Folic acid--what's it all about?(Pregnancy & Birth)
- Newspaper article from: Special Delivery March 22, 2004 700+ words
...micrograms (mcg) of folic acid in their diet every day. (Pregnant women need 600 mcg a day...400 mcg of extra folic acid every day if you...been enriched with folic acid. --Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, October...
