Folic Acid Necessary For Preventing Neural Tube Defects

Folic Acid Necessary For Preventing Neural Tube Defects
by News Canada

degree of disability differs. Since many pregnancies are unplanned, physicians
recommend that all women of childbearing age should take a daily multivitamin
containing a minimum of 0.4 milligrams of folic acid to reduce the risk of spina bifida
and other birth defects.

The following tips may help women get enough folic acid and prevent spina bifida and
other neural tube defects:

1. Eat a fortified breakfast cereal that contains folic acid;

2. Eat foods that are high in folic acid, such as dark green leafy vegetables, bananas,
nuts and asparagus. Also, eat foods that are fortified with folic acid, such as certain
breads, rice or pasta;

3. Take a daily multivitamin supplement, such as Centrum Forte® that contains 0.6
milligrams of folic acid.

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(NC)-With June being National
Spina Bifida Awareness Month,
it's a great opportunity for
Canadians to become educated
on the importance of folic acid
for healthy infants. In Canada, it
is estimated that four out of
every 1,000 children born will
have a neural tube defect, such
as spina bifida. Spina bifida
occurs when the lower end of
the neural tube fails to close
resulting in abnormal growth in
the spinal cord and backbone.
Most infants born with this
condition survive, although the

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.