Question

Imagine that one of your friends is pregnant. She is 22 years old and has a diet rich in dark and leafy vegetables, legumes and citrus fruits (all of which are good sources of folate). Her doctor recommends her to take a folic acid supplement, which is suggested for all pregnant woman. She approaches you with the two different supplements

Nature Made, Folic Acid, 400 mcg per pill

Nature's Blend, Folic Acid, 1000 mcg per pill

Based on the RDAs and ULs inside the front and back cover of your textbook, and the information about her diet, which supplement would you suggest and why? Refer to all relevant specific information and explain how this supports your answer.

Answer 1

Folic acid is a man-made form of a B vitamin called folate. Folate plays an important role in the production of red blood cells and helps your baby’s neural tube develop into her brain and spinal cord.The best sources of folic acid are fortified cereals.Folate is found naturally in dark green vegetables and citrus fruits.

Will suggest to take Nature made,Folic Acid,400 mcg per pill.

Rationale: The CDC,Institute of Medicine,and U.S Preventive Services Task Force all recommend that women of reproductive age take folic acid to help prevent Neural tube defects ( NTDs) NTDs are major birth defects of the baby’s brain ( anencephaly) and spine ( spina bifida).Birth defects occur within the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy.So its important to have folate in the system during those early stages when the baby’s brain and spinal cord are developing.

When taken before and during pregnancy,folic acid may also protect your baby against:

• Cleft lip and palate
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Misscarriage
• Poor growth in the womb.

Folic Acid also been suggested to reduce the mother risk of:

• Pregnency complications like preeclampsia
• Heart disease
• Stroke

The recommended dose of Folic Acid for all women of childbearing age is 400 mcg of folate each day.The recommended dose of folic acid during pregnancy each day in terms of pregnancy as follows.

• While you’re trying to conceive: 400 mcg
• For the first three months of pregnancy: 400 mcg
• For months four to nine of pregnancy: 600 mcg
• While breastfeeding: 500 mcg.