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Why is it important that I include folate (folic acid) in my diet during my pregnancy?

Frequently Asked Nutrition Questions - Nutrition answers abo...
Folate, a B vitamin, reduces the risk of delivering a baby with neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Folate is essential to the production of new body cells by helping produce DNA and RNA. To be sure you reach the daily requirement of 400 micrograms, include at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet every day. Good sources of folate include dark green leafy vegetables, certain fruits such as oranges, dried beans, and most grain products (which are fortified with folate).
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Why is folic acid important during pregnancy?

Phoenixlogin.com
Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orangejuice, 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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What is the difference between folic acid and folate?

PregVit, Prenatal/Postpartum Vitamin-Mineral Supplement
Folate is a type of vitamin B, naturally found in foods (see table). Folic acid is a synthetic compound used to fortify food and added in prenatal supplements.
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What is folic acid and where can I get it?

Birth Defects Resources: Folic Acid & Spina Bifida Frequentl...
Folic acid is a B-vitamin. The recommended amount to prevent spina bifida and other neural tube defects is 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of synthetic folic acid daily. Convenient ways to make sure that you get enough folic acid: Take a vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day. (Folic acid pills are small and easy to swallow). Both folic acid pills and multivitamins can be bought at grocery stores, pharmacies, or discount stores.
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Spina Bifida Association Houston Gulf Coast
Folic acid, a common water-soluble B vitamin, is essential for the functioning of the human body. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and fetal development, the body's requirement for this vitamin increases. Folic acid can be found in multivitamins, fortified breakfast cereals, dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, egg yolks, and some fruits and fruit juices. However, the average American diet does not supply the recommended level of folic acid.
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Folic Acid vs. Folate: What's the diff?

The ND Blog: Notes from the Nutritionista by Monica Reinagel
There's a lot of good reasons to pay attention to your folate (or folic acid) intake. Folate deficiency can lead to elevated homocysteine, which has been linked to heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis and a host of other diseases. If you are trying get pregnant, getting enough folate will help prevent neural tube defects in your baby. Folic acid's ability to prevent this devastating birth defect led the U.S.
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Is there any danger in consuming too MUCH folate or folic acid?

Folic Acid vs. Folate: What's the diff? | NutritionData.com ...
There's little danger of consuming too much naturally-occurring folate. Folic acid from supplements or from fortified cereal can add up in a hurry though. The government considers 1000 mcg a day to be the safe upper limit. The biggest concern is that higher levels of folic acid can mask a B12 deficiency, which can lead to serious health problems if it goes undetected. This is mostly a concern for older people who are at higher risk of B12 deficiency.
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Regarding folate, is a generic or synthetic form of folic acid used in this vitamin?

Frequently Asked Questions
The B-Vitamins in the formula like folic acid and folate come from the whole food source of vegetarian yeast. Additional amounts of each vitamin are added to the whole food base to ensure the nutrients take on the organic right hand spin direction needed to work properly in the body.
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Why are activated folic acid and B12 important?

ProThera - Frequently Asked Questions
Folic acid and vitamin B12 help prevent the build-up in the body of homocysteine, a potentially toxic amino acid metabolite that damages arteries and increases the risk of heart disease. The biologically active forms of folic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), and vitamin B12, methylcobalamin, are used in CardioThera? instead of common forms of these B-vitamins found in most other supplements.
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Why is folate important?

WIC
Folate, also known as folic acid or folacin, is a B-vitamin. Everyone needs folate, but women need even more during pregnancy. Adequate intake of folate during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of the brain or spine, such as spina bifida.
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What are good sources of folic acid during pregnancy?

Common Questions (Preconception, Fertility, Pregnancy, Labor...
Folates can be found naturally in green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, okra and brussels sprouts, and also in corn and avocados. Water, fruit juices, milk and soups are all acceptable fluids and count towards the recommended 8--10 glasses you should drink daily. While carbonated sodas will provide you with the necessary fluids, diet beverages contain aspartame and saccharin and regular beverages contain sugar and often caffeine. Salt, or sodium, is not the cause of preeclampsia.
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Can women get too much folic acid?

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Folic acid has no known toxic level. If you were to eat a bowl of fully fortified cereal (400 micrograms), take a folic acid supplement (400 mcg), and eat fortified foods and foods rich in folate, women of reproductive age would not have a problem with too much folic acid. Even in very high amounts folic acid is non-toxic. Nevertheless, it is recommended that women consume no more than 1,000 micrograms of synthetic folic acid a day.
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Are women getting enough folic acid?

Birth Defects Resources: Folic Acid & Spina Bifida Frequentl...
Even though there are several ways to get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of folic acid every day, two thirds of women in the United States do not consume enough folic acid.
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Why is folic acid so important for women?

UnitedHealthcare Latino - Frequently Asked Questions
Folic acid can prevent birth defects called Neural Tube Defects. Neural Tube Defects are defects of the brain and spine. These can occur during the first months following conception and before women become aware that they are pregnant. The two most common forms of Neural Tube Defects are: Spina Bifida and Anencephaly. Babies that are born with spina bifida can suffer paralysis or have many other problems. Babies with anencephaly do not develop a brain or may possibly develop a partial brain.
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HomesteadSchools.com - Women's Health
Taking the synthetic form of folic acid can help prevent birth defects called neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are defects of the spine and brain. NTDs take place in the first month after conception, before most women know they are pregnant. The two most common forms of NTDs are spina bifida and anencephaly. Babies born with spina bifida may be paralyzed or have many other problems. Babies with anencephaly do not develop a brain or have only a partial brain.
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Can I take folic acid with pregnancy and breastfeeding formula?

FAQ - Blackmores
Blackmores Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding Formula contains recommended amounts of all nutrients including folic acid. Dietary sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables, legumes, brewers yeast, whole grains, root vegetables. Higher amounts of supplemental folic acid may be prescribed by your doctor if there is a history of neural tube defects.
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My doctor tells me I need to take a folic acid supplement during my pregnancy. What does it do?

Common Questions (Preconception, Fertility, Pregnancy, Labor...
Folic acid helps promote the production of red blood cells in both your body and your developing baby. Red blood cells are important to minimize the onset of physiological anemia as your pregnancy develops. It also reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus. Most doctors recommend a supplement containing at least 0.4 milligrams of folic acid during your pregnancy. The US Public Health Service suggests you take the supplement if your capable of becoming pregnant.
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Is folic acid supplementation recommended in pregnancy and lactation?

aarogya.com "The Wellness Site" - Specialities - Hematology
Folic acid supplementation is recommended in pregnancy as it prevents birth defects which are mainly neural tube defects like spina bifida. Supplementation is also recommended in lactation.
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Why, higher intakes of folic acid are necessary during pregnancy?

Health Testing - Wellness Testing and Folic Acid Health Test...
During pregnancy, a woman requires more of all the essential nutrients and minerals. Folic acid is one such component that is required not only by the mother but also by the unborn baby. Women are suggested to have higher intakes of folic acid one month before conception and at least three months afterwards. This potentially reduces the risk of neural tube defect in babies and helps them against several birth defects disorders related to brain and spine.
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What are other health benefits to taking folic acid?

Birth Defects Resources: Folic Acid & Spina Bifida Frequentl...
High levels of the amino acid homocysteine are independently associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. It has been shown that taking folic acid lowers homocysteine levels in both men and women, but it is not yet known whether folic acid supplementation also lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. There are some indications that folic acid use may also reduce the risk for other birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate and certain congenital heart defects.
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Warburtons > Contact Us > Frequently Asked Questions
Folic acid is essential for growing cells and for healthy blood. Bread is a natural source of folic acid.
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Ensure - Frequently Asked Questions
This B vitamin is essential for keeping the body healthy. It benefits everything from the brain and nervous system to bone marrow and the intestinal tract. There???s also evidence that folic acid lowers an amino acid in the blood (homocysteine) that has been linked with increased risk for heart disease and Alzheimer???s. If you???re healthy, you need about 400 micrograms a day. Think foliage: Leafy greens are among the richest sources of folic acid.
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Should men take folic acid supplements too?

Frequently Asked Questions - DrDonnica.com - The First Name ...
Ganglion cysts are also known as "Bible cysts" because people used to try "treating them" by smashing a large book (like a Bible) on top of them. Do not do this! Do you have any information on Gastroparesis? My wife is suffering through this since she had her thyroid oblated with radioactive iodine 2 months ago. I am a recovered anorexic and I would like to know if there is any way that I can get involved with helping other girls through this struggle.
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Should we offer preconception folic acid?

MCH Frequently Asked Questions
C.D.C.'s primer Diagnosis and Management of Food borne Illnesses. You can also get 3.0 hours of C.M.E
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Ensure - Frequently Asked Questions
This B vitamin is essential for keeping the body healthy. It benefits everything from the brain and nervous system to bone marrow and the intestinal tract. There's also evidence that folic acid lowers an amino acid in the blood (homocysteine) that has been linked with increased risk for heart disease and Alzheimer's. If you're healthy, you need about 400 micrograms a day. Think foliage: Leafy greens are among the richest sources of folic acid.
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Dr.com Reference Library Congenital conditions - Spina Bifid...
Folic acid, a common water-soluble B vitamin, is essential for the functioning of the human body. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and fetal development, the body's requirement for this vitamin increases. Folic acid can be found in multivitamins, fortified breakfast cereals, dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, egg yolks, and some fruits and fruit juices. However, the average diet does not supply the recommended level of folic acid.
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Article: Pregnancy and Nutrition: NWHIC - CureResearch.com
Pregnancy doubles a woman's need for folate (folic acid or folacin). Folic acid has been shown to be important in preventing neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly and is essential to the formation of red blood cells. Severe folate deficiency can result in a condition called megaloblastic anemia, which occurs most often in the last trimester of pregnancy. In this condition, the mother's heart, liver and spleen may become enlarged which and can threaten the life of the fetus.
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