Get The "B" Attitude
As quoted by the March of Dimes, the "B" attitude is for the B vitamin FOLIC ACID. Women of childbearing age should take folic acid for the prevention of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, specifically Neural Tube Defects (NTDs). When women begin consuming the recommended amount of folic acid before conception and continuing into the first month of pregnancy, studies have shown a reduction in their risk of having a baby with NTDs. The neural tube is the embryonic structure, which develops into the brain and spinal cord.
This structure normally folds into a tube by the 29th day after conception. When this tube does not close completely, the baby has a neural tube defect. The most common NTDs are spina bifida (a leading cause of childhood paralysis) and anencephaly. Anencephaly is a fatal condition whereby a baby is born with a severely underdeveloped brain and skull. Approximately 2,500 babies are born with NTDs each year, with many other affected pregnancies ending in miscarriage or stillbirth.
Additionally, studies suggest that folic acid assist in the prevention of some other birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate. It is important to seek the advice of your physician or midwife for information regarding multivitamins containing folic acid, in addition to eating a healthy diet including foods rich in folic acid. Most diets provide only half of the daily required amount of folate, the natural form of folic acid found in foods. Foods which are naturally rich in folates include: orange juice, other citrus fruits and juices, leafy vegetables, beans, peanuts, broccoli, asparagus, peas, lentils and whole-grain products. The synthetic form of folic acid is found in multivitamins, fortified breakfast cereals, and enriched grain products, which are more easily absorbed by the body than the natural form (which must be broken down by the body in a usable form). It is not yet clear whether consuming folate daily from foods provides the same level of protection against birth defects as consuming the synthetic form. Cooking and storage may destroy some of the folate in foods and the amount of usable folic acid the baby can obtain from different foods varies. However, the body can absorb almost 100 percent of the synthetic form of folic acid. This is the reason why the March of Dimes, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Institute of Medicine recommend that women who could become pregnant consume the synthetic form of folic acid.
Researchers have realized other benefits of folic acid in maintaining health, such as the production of normal red blood cells, prevention of heart disease and stroke, prevention of certain cancers, especially colon cancer. Although these studies are preliminary findings, they suggest that other people besides childbearing age women may benefit from taking folic acid. The March of Dimes has several research grantees seeking to improve the understanding of folic acid's role in preventing NTDs. Examples of ongoing research include, genetic and environmental links, identification of factors interfering with the transfer of folic acid from the placenta to the fetus, identification of women at risk, and improvement in methods of treatment.
Summary prepared by Rochella S. Nze, MN, RNC, Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist for Women's Services at GBMC. References obtained from AWHONN Folic Acid News, Spring 2000 and March of Dimes Resource Center, Folic Acid (888-MODIMES), 1999.
