Folic Acid

Folic Acid is part of the B group of vitamins, and is essential for producing red blood cells and for maintaining a healthy nervous system. It is also an essential component in the production of DNA and is well known as the only vitamin that is scientifically proven to help to prevent Neural Tube Defects in a developing human embryo. The Department of Health in the UK has recommended that all women who are planning a family or who are already pregnant to ensure that their diet is plentiful in folate-rich foods. A daily supplement of 400 micrograms is also recommended for women up to one month before conception, and then up to the twelfth week of pregnancy

What is a Neural Tube Defect?

There are varying types of Neural Tube Defect (NTD) that affect approximately 1 in 1500 of all births in the UK, and they can be anything from a minor defect in the way the spine develops at the beginning of pregnancy to severe abnormalities that effect the baby’s ability to survive.

• Spina Bifida is a condition that effects the development of the baby’s spine, which is formed in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. The tube-like bones that form to protect the spinal cord do not form properly, and so the spinal column and nerves become damaged.

• Hydrocephalus in a developing baby is a condition that is caused by too much spinal fluid being produced. Babies with Spina Bifida may be affected by hydrocephalus, which literally means ‘water on the brain’. This means that the excess fluid that is produced is retained in the area surrounding the brain, and causes swelling of the head.

• Anencephaly is a condition where the brain and skull has not developed in the early weeks of pregnancy, and babies with this condition will usually die at birth or very soon afterwards.

For more information on NTDs, you can visit: www.asbah.org/default.html

What Can I do?

As well as taking the recommended daily supplement of 400mcg, the best way to ensure that you get the right amount of folic acid is to eat a healthy and varied diet. Not only will this help you to fortify your body with folate-rich foods, it will also help you to provide your baby with all the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Make sure you include at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and eat enriched wholegrain cereals and bread daily. Try the following foods:

• Jacket Potatoes piled high with baked beans
• Wholegrain cereal with apricots and berries
• Boiled egg with wholegrain bread soldiers
• Peppers stuffed with lentils and topped with cheese
• Mixed bean salad with chicken or tuna
• Fruit yoghurt with mixed seeds

It is worthwhile including a glass of pure orange juice with every meal, as the vitamin C in orange juice helps the body to absorb folic acid more easily.