Jan. 14 - To Help Prevent Birth Defects New Folic Acid Seal
Helps Women Choose Enriched Grain Foods
Not enough American women understand that consuming the B vitamin
folic acid every day can help prevent serious birth defects,
and only 40% are taking daily multivitamin supplements
containing this essential nutrient beginning before pregnancy,
two recent surveys show.
Daily consumption of folic acid beginning before
pregnancy is crucial because birth defects of the brain and
spine known as neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida,
can occur in the early weeks following conception, often before
a woman knows she is pregnant.
In an effort to promote increased consumption
of folic acid among women of childbearing age, the March of
Dimes and the Grain Foods Foundation have created a new Folic
Acid for a Healthy Pregnancy seal that will be featured on select
products at retail to help women quickly and easily identify
grain products, such as white bread, that are enriched with
folic acid.
2008 marks the ten-year anniversary of folic
acid fortification to enriched flour. Since the FDA issued the
mandate in 1998, neural tube defects (NTDs), including spina
bifida, have declined by 26%.
However, according to the most recent March
of Dimes/Gallup survey only 12% of women ages 18-45 know
that folic acid should be consumed prior to pregnancy. In addition,
the number of women taking multivitamin supplements containing
folic acid beginning before pregnancy was only about 40%
in 2007.
"Unfortunately, most women don't realize
they should have sufficient levels of folic acid in their bodies
long before they consider having a baby," explained Judith
Reichman, MD, a gynecologist and one of the nation's leading
medical voices on women's health issues. "Given the number
of unplanned pregnancies, if women are sexually active, it is
critical that they pay attention to their diet, take a daily
multivitamin containing folic acid and consume folic acid-rich
foods every day."
"The Folic Acid for a Healthy Pregnancy
seal will make is easier for women to choose foods that are
healthy for them and their babies," said Dr. Jennifer L.
Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "Folic acid is
the most important vitamin women can take to help prevent serious
birth defects of the brain and spine, and it's most important
that they start taking it before they get pregnant and continue
to take it after."
According to the SRBI survey, two-thirds of
women believe that whole wheat and multi-grain breads contain
the most folic acid. Only 12% of women perceive enriched
white bread as having high levels of folic acid, despite the
fact that it actually has twice as much folic acid as whole
grain or whole wheat bread.
"These survey results demonstrate the need
for women to better understand how to get specific nutrients
through their diet," noted Judi Adams, MS, RD and president
of the Grain Foods Foundation. "Enriched grains are an
easy, inexpensive and delicious way for women to get essential
vitamins such as folic acid."
The March of Dimes urges all women of childbearing
age to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily beginning
before pregnancy and continuing into the early months of pregnancy.
Bread, crackers, bagels, pasta, pretzels and tortillas made
from fortified, enriched white flour are popular and important
sources of folic acid.
Source: March of Dimes Foundation
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