Help Protect Infants By Consuming Folate Healthy foods for pregnant women [Photograph], Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://www.healthfoodmadeeasy.com/healthy-foods-for-pregnant-women-tips-and-tricks/ By: Jake Wiseman Longwood University HLTH 335 (Healthy, 2013)

General Background Folate is a form of a water-soluble B vitamin In the United States, there are 3,000 pregnancies affected by spina bifida or anencephaly each year. Hispanic/Latina women have a higher rate of NTD-affected pregnancies than non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black women. The total lifetime cost of care for a child born with spina bifida is estimated to be $560,000. Did You Know? Folate is a form of a water-soluble B vitamin Occurs naturally in foods Synthetic form (Folic Acid) is used to fortify foods If taken before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine by 70% Women need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, 600 micrograms during pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Folic acid homepage. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/aboutus.html (Centers for Disease and Prevention, 2011)

(Abi Assi, n.d.) Food Serving Folate (mcg) Fortified breakfast cereal 1 cup 200-400 Orange juice (from concentrate) 6 ounces 83 Spinach (cooked) 1/2 cup 132 Asparagus (cooked) 1/2 cup (~ 6 spears) 134 Lentils (cooked) 179 Garbanzo beans (cooked) 141 Lima beans (cooked) 78 Bread 1 slice 20 (Folic acid)* Pasta (cooked) 60 (Folic acid)* Rice (cooked) Abi Assi, K. (n.d.). Folic acid and depression. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://kabiassi.com/10.php?ad=10 Abi Assi, K. (n.d.). Folic acid and depression [Photograph]. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://kabiassi.com/10.php?ad=10 (Abi Assi, n.d.)

DRIs for Folate in Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE) Recommended Dietary Intake for Folate in Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE) Life Stage Age Males (mcg/day) Females (mcg/day) Infants 0-6 months 65 ( AI ) 7-12 months 80 (AI) Children 1-3 years 150 4-8 years 200 9-13 years 300 Adolescents 14-18 years 400 Adults 19- years + Pregnancy all ages - 600 Breast-feeding 500 Abi Assi, K. (n.d.). Folic acid and depression. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://kabiassi.com/10.php?ad=10 (Abi Assi, n.d.)

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for Folic Acid Age Male Female Pregnancy Lactation Birth to 6 months Not possible to establish* 7–12 months 1–3 years 300 mcg 4– 8 years 400 mcg 9–13 years 600 mcg 14–18 years 800 mcg 19+ years 1,000 mcg Office of Dietary Supplements. (2012). Folate. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/ * Breast milk, formula, and food should be the only sources of folate for infants. (Office, 2012)

Function & Health Benefits Helps prevent: Heart disorders Stroke Cancer Birth defects It also provides relief from mental and emotional disorders. Your bone marrow produces more than 65 million new red blood cells each day for every 10 pounds of body weight. This remarkable production rate requires a constant supply of folate as well as iron, vitamin B-12 and other nutrients. Organic Facts. (2013). Health benefits of vitamin b9 or folic acid. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vitamins/health-benefits-of-vitamin-b9-or-folic-acid.html Andrews, T. (2011). What is the function of folic acid?. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/426140-what-is-the-function-of-folic-acid/ (Organic, 2013) (Andrews, 2011)

Related Deficiencies/Symptoms Deficiency symptoms include: Anemia Loss of memory Restricted brain and nerve growth Paranoia Weakness Skin cracking Sore tongue Organic Facts. (2013). Health benefits of vitamin b9 or folic acid. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vitamins/health-benefits-of-vitamin-b9-or-folic-acid.html Rosacea. (2012). The treatment folic acid for rosacea [Photograph]. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://rosaceatreatmentguide.org/treatment-folic-acid-rosacea.html * If you do not consume enough folate or have a deficiency, you can take folic acid supplements. (Rosacea, 2012) (Organic, 2013)

Overdose Precautions & Other Issues Though an overdose of folate is rare, it can lead to permanent nerve damage. Amounts greater than 400 micrograms a day should not be taken by anyone with anemia unless a diagnosis of pernicious anemia is completely ruled out. Symptoms of folate overdose: Insomnia Cognitive disturbances Nausea Swelling of tongue, mouth Hives on skin OverDoseInfo.com. (2012). Folic acid overdose- symptoms, dosage, and treatment. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://overdoseinfo.com/folic-acid-overdose/ (OverDoseInfo, 2012)

Summary Question #1 What type of vitamin is folate? - B vitamin

How many micrograms of folate do women need during pregnancy? Summary Question #2 How many micrograms of folate do women need during pregnancy? - 600 micrograms

Work Cited Refrences Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Folic acid homepage. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/aboutus.html Abi Assi, K. (n.d.). Folic acid and depression. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://kabiassi.com/10.php?ad=10 Office of Dietary Supplements. (2012). Folate. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/ Organic Facts. (2013). Health benefits of vitamin b9 or folic acid. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vitamins/health-benefits-of-vitamin-b9-or-folic- acid.html Andrews, T. (2011). What is the function of folic acid?. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/426140-what-is-the-function-of-folic-acid/ OverDoseInfo.com. (2012). Folic acid overdose- symptoms, dosage, and treatment. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://overdoseinfo.com/folic-acid-overdose/ Images Healthy foods for pregnant women [Photograph], Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://www.healthfoodmadeeasy.com/healthy-foods-for-pregnant-women-tips-and-tricks/ Abi Assi, K. (n.d.). Folic acid and depression [Photograph]. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from: http://kabiassi.com/10.php?ad=10 Rosacea. (2012). The treatment folic acid for rosacea [Photograph]. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from: http://rosaceatreatmentguide.org/treatment-folic-acid-rosacea.html