Comments on: Dishing on folic acid http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:13:33 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: katbur http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-1027 katbur Fri, 16 May 2008 22:11:27 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-1027 Talk to your OB/GYN, most are confident that the amount of folic acid in a prenatal vitamin is sufficient. I work in early childhood intervention, children under three years old. Our numbers of children with spina bifida and other neural tube defects have decreased substantially since the folic acid recommendations have been made. www.aftercancernowwhat.wordpress.com Talk to your OB/GYN, most are confident that the amount of folic acid in a prenatal vitamin is sufficient. I work in early childhood intervention, children under three years old. Our numbers of children with spina bifida and other neural tube defects have decreased substantially since the folic acid recommendations have been made.
http://www.aftercancernowwhat.wordpress.com

]]> By: Ratna, New York, NY http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-910 Ratna, New York, NY Mon, 12 May 2008 22:48:50 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-910 Hi Jeniffer, The foods you should be eating the most now are: nuts and lentils, which are loaded with folic acid. And yeah! losing 10 pounds requires a reduction in calorie intake (in which these healthy folic acid rich foods are included, in moderation of course) and a steady exercise regime. And further, there are lots of other nutrients the body needs: www.mypyramid.gov Hi Jeniffer,

The foods you should be eating the most now are: nuts and lentils, which are loaded with folic acid. And yeah! losing 10 pounds requires a reduction in calorie intake (in which these healthy folic acid rich foods are included, in moderation of course) and a steady exercise regime. And further, there are lots of other nutrients the body needs: http://www.mypyramid.gov

]]> By: quirkyrabbit http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-882 quirkyrabbit Sat, 10 May 2008 13:32:55 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-882 Folic acid is an excellent aid at preventing spina bifida and even cleft palates as well as a host of other birth defects. Further, pre-pregnancy B6 should help prevent early pregnancy nausea. It has been known since the 70s that both these vitamins should be supplemented if you are taking birth control pills or HRT. Finally, the nun-study (and, I'll wager, other studies) show that women in that study who died suffering from dementia or alzheimers, had very low levels of folic acid. The elderly women who died with brains intact had high levels of folic acid! So, we find that folic acid is far more important to our health than doctors tell us. Yes, folic acid comes from green, leafy vegetables, but so much is gone from it by the time it gets to our tables. To be safe, I'll supplement wisely! I recommend you all do thorough Internet Searches on Folic Acid and B6 and pregnancy and dementia to draw your own conclusions. BTW, there were limitations put on folic acid capsule size years ago because apparently some Vegetarians or people with high folic acid, were unable to quickly notice they had pernicious anemia. Read up on folic acid! I'd provide links, but I know YOU are smart enough to find and research and follow information you can get on the internet. Nothing is 100%, but I sure wouldn't want to take a chance without it. Folic acid is an excellent aid at preventing spina bifida and even cleft palates as well as a host of other birth defects. Further, pre-pregnancy B6 should help prevent early pregnancy nausea.

It has been known since the 70s that both these vitamins should be supplemented if you are taking birth control pills or HRT.

Finally, the nun-study (and, I'll wager, other studies) show that women in that study who died suffering from dementia or alzheimers, had very low levels of folic acid. The elderly women who died with brains intact had high levels of folic acid!

So, we find that folic acid is far more important to our health than doctors tell us.

Yes, folic acid comes from green, leafy vegetables, but so much is gone from it by the time it gets to our tables. To be safe, I'll supplement wisely!

I recommend you all do thorough Internet Searches on Folic Acid and B6 and pregnancy and dementia to draw your own conclusions.

BTW, there were limitations put on folic acid capsule size years ago because apparently some Vegetarians or people with high folic acid, were unable to quickly notice they had pernicious anemia.

Read up on folic acid! I'd provide links, but I know YOU are smart enough to find and research and follow information you can get on the internet.

Nothing is 100%, but I sure wouldn't want to take a chance without it.

]]> By: AC2007 http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-868 AC2007 Fri, 09 May 2008 15:01:15 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-868 There is nothing more devastating to a mother to think that an NTD is in any way her "fault" for not doing something right. Sometimes it just happens, and it is NO ONE's fault. I think we owe it to women everywhere be honest and accurate here. I think it is misleading and inaccurate to imply that taking the recommended amount oFolic Acid is a "sure fire guarantee" against NTDs. The fact is, taking folic acid will NOT "prevent" NTDs 100% of the time any more than laying an infant on his/her back "prevents" SIDS 100% of the time. It will, however, greatly "reduce" one's chances of having this happen, which is something every woman should strive for... giving their pregnancy it's best chance. If you're doing everything you know to do with the information you've been given, then please understand that losing a pregnancy/child to a NTD is NOT YOUR FAULT. Sometimes it just happens... I've known at least two women in my lifetime (my sister, an MD, being one), who took everything they were supposed to for at least as long a they were supposed to, including 800mcg of folic acid daily, and still lost their pregnancies to NTDs. But they knew two things going in: 1. they did everything they knew to do with the information they had at the time, and 2. doing everything you know to do is no guarantee of a healthy baby as an outcome. There is nothing more devastating to a mother to think that an NTD is in any way her "fault" for not doing something right. Sometimes it just happens, and it is NO ONE's fault. I think we owe it to women everywhere be honest and accurate here.

I think it is misleading and inaccurate to imply that taking the recommended amount oFolic Acid is a "sure fire guarantee" against NTDs.

The fact is, taking folic acid will NOT "prevent" NTDs 100% of the time any more than laying an infant on his/her back "prevents" SIDS 100% of the time. It will, however, greatly "reduce" one's chances of having this happen, which is something every woman should strive for... giving their pregnancy it's best chance.

If you're doing everything you know to do with the information you've been given, then please understand that losing a pregnancy/child to a NTD is NOT YOUR FAULT. Sometimes it just happens...

I've known at least two women in my lifetime (my sister, an MD, being one), who took everything they were supposed to for at least as long a they were supposed to, including 800mcg of folic acid daily, and still lost their pregnancies to NTDs.

But they knew two things going in: 1. they did everything they knew to do with the information they had at the time, and 2. doing everything you know to do is no guarantee of a healthy baby as an outcome.

]]> By: Molli http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-862 Molli Thu, 08 May 2008 16:39:49 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-862 Folic Acid is also useful in fighting off infections of the genital tract. I was on 1000 mg of folic acid for years as my body acclimated to being one of those people blessed with a variety of HPV. Folic Acid is also useful in fighting off infections of the genital tract. I was on 1000 mg of folic acid for years as my body acclimated to being one of those people blessed with a variety of HPV.

]]> By: Patricia, RN http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-861 Patricia, RN Thu, 08 May 2008 13:54:42 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-861 While it's important to have a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, women who can get pregnant should get 400 micrograms (100% DV) of synthetic folic acid from vitamins or fortified breakfast cereals to prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Food folate is a complex form of folic acid that must be broken down before it can be used. It is very difficult to get the amount of folic acid that women need every day from food. That's why experts urge all women who can get pregnant to get their daily requirement of folic acid from a vitamin or fortified breakfast cereal in addition to eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. It's important for women to know that half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are not planned! Even women who are not thinking about having a baby but can get pregnant should take 400 micrograms folic acid every day. Most multivitamins in the U.S. contain 400 micrograms folic acid in one pill, and several breakfast cereals provide 400 micrograms (100% DV) in one serving. Folic Acid: All Women, Every Day! While it's important to have a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, women who can get pregnant should get 400 micrograms (100% DV) of synthetic folic acid from vitamins or fortified breakfast cereals to prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Food folate is a complex form of folic acid that must be broken down before it can be used. It is very difficult to get the amount of folic acid that women need every day from food. That's why experts urge all women who can get pregnant to get their daily requirement of folic acid from a vitamin or fortified breakfast cereal in addition to eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

It's important for women to know that half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are not planned! Even women who are not thinking about having a baby but can get pregnant should take 400 micrograms folic acid every day. Most multivitamins in the U.S. contain 400 micrograms folic acid in one pill, and several breakfast cereals provide 400 micrograms (100% DV) in one serving.

Folic Acid: All Women, Every Day!

]]> By: Danielle http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-855 Danielle Thu, 08 May 2008 01:10:41 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-855 I cannot even think about the number of times my dr has told me to be taking Folic Acid over the past few years. I'm 27 & have only been married a year. But he's been telling me since I was 24. I take birth control but he said even though I'm not planning on having a baby anytime soon, that I need to be taking it just in case I get a "pleasant surprise". Considering the health problems in my family as well as my husband's family, I'm definitely heeding his advice. I cannot even think about the number of times my dr has told me to be taking Folic Acid over the past few years. I'm 27 & have only been married a year. But he's been telling me since I was 24. I take birth control but he said even though I'm not planning on having a baby anytime soon, that I need to be taking it just in case I get a "pleasant surprise". Considering the health problems in my family as well as my husband's family, I'm definitely heeding his advice.

]]> By: Rose http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-854 Rose Thu, 08 May 2008 00:08:54 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-854 My husband is about to begin chemotherapy and his pre-medication includes 500 mg. folic acid daily. which we are told may be helpful in counteracting some side effects of the therapy My husband is about to begin chemotherapy and his pre-medication includes 500 mg. folic acid daily. which we are told may be helpful in counteracting some side effects of the therapy

]]> By: Freida http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-853 Freida Wed, 07 May 2008 22:51:20 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-853 Jennifer, I definitely agree with your in-laws! Taking folic acid prior to planning having a baby (especially if you are in your 30's. Thirty five years old and over is considered a risk factor), significnatly reduces neurological birth defects risks. The research on this topic is vast, and consistently indicates the benefits of its use in reducing your risks of having a child with NTD (Neural Tubal Defects, i.e. Spina Bifida). I am 32 years old, and also planning on getting married next year. My GYN doctor, firmily believes that I should start taking 2-4mg of folic acid daily, at least 3 months prior to conception. And continue throughout the entire pregnancy, but more importantly during the 1st trimester when the fetus's neurological system is developing. You may not need to start taking a year from now, but at least 3-6 months prior to conception. It is always a good idea to discuss this in more detail with your doctor. Good luck! :-) Freida NYC Jennifer,

I definitely agree with your in-laws! Taking folic acid prior to planning having a baby (especially if you are in your 30's. Thirty five years old and over is considered a risk factor), significnatly reduces neurological birth defects risks. The research on this topic is vast, and consistently indicates the benefits of its use in reducing your risks of having a child with NTD (Neural Tubal Defects, i.e. Spina Bifida). I am 32 years old, and also planning on getting married next year. My GYN doctor, firmily believes that I should start taking 2-4mg of folic acid daily, at least 3 months prior to conception. And continue throughout the entire pregnancy, but more importantly during the 1st trimester when the fetus's neurological system is developing. You may not need to start taking a year from now, but at least 3-6 months prior to conception. It is always a good idea to discuss this in more detail with your doctor. Good luck! :-)

Freida NYC

]]> By: Terry http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/05/dishing-on-folic-acid/#comment-848 Terry Wed, 07 May 2008 20:45:22 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-848 Nicole, contact your local spina bifida association, they will be able to give you information about physicians who specialize in this birth defect and they are a network of people with spina bifida and their families. Your sister-in-law is most likely not the only person that this has happened to, good luck. Nicole, contact your local spina bifida association, they will be able to give you information about physicians who specialize in this birth defect and they are a network of people with spina bifida and their families. Your sister-in-law is most likely not the only person that this has happened to, good luck.

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