According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), birth defects affect about 3%-4% of all babies born in the United States each year, that’s approximately 150,000 babies each year.

Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths, accounting for 20% of all infant deaths in the U.S. annually.

Approximately 1,300 babies will be diagnosed with a birth defect this year in Arkansas. This is close to the national average, but the death rate from birth defects in Arkansas is above average.

Each year, more than 100 babies will die because of birth defects in Arkansas. According to data from the March of Dimes, between 2010-2013, the infant mortality rate due to neural tube defects (NTDs) was 11.2 per 10,000 births. This rate is 2.3 higher than the national average during the same time span.

There are many causes of birth defects, and unfortunately, the cause is hard to determine most of the time. Fortunately, there are things you can do to lower the risk of some birth defects.

The risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida, anencephaly, cleft lip and cleft palate, and congenital heart disease can be lowered by taking folic acid before and during pregnancy.

The CDC recommends for women trying to get pregnant to take 400mcg of folic acid per day for the purpose of reducing NTDs. You should begin taking the supplement at least one month before getting pregnant to gain the full effect of the B-9 vitamin. Due to the fact that 70% of all pregnancies in the U.S. each year are unplanned, we suggest all women of childbearing age begin taking folic acid now.

Do your part to help reduce the rate of birth defects in Arkansas by adding folic acid to your daily regimen. For more tips on lowering the risk of birth defects, visit the CDC’s website.

The post A Real Need For Folic Acid Awareness in Arkansas appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

Folic Acid is a vital part of any expectant mother’s pregnancy, but there is a variety of other “do’s and don’ts” all women should follow for the best chance of having a healthy baby.

Avoid consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol-related birth defects are very common and completely preventable. Despite the mixed messages many first-time expectant mothers hear, even drinking small amounts of alcohol while pregnant can have long-lasting effects. For more information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, click here.

Avoid using cigarettes and other recreational drugs. Any tobacco use while pregnant can increase your baby’s risk of being born prematurely or with low birth weight, increase the risk of the child developing respiratory problems, and increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Second-hand smoke is just as dangerous. Steer clear of public areas where you might breathe in cigarette smoke.

Drink plenty of fluids. It’s suggested mothers consume at least eight to 10 glasses of water a day.

Both before getting pregnant and during pregnancy, talk to your doctor if you’re considering adding any “natural” vitamins, minerals, drinks, supplements or herbal products to your routine. Just because it says it’s “natural,” doesn’t mean it’s good for your baby.

Also, discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor before getting pregnant.

Additional do’s and don’ts:

• Don’t try to lose weight during pregnancy.
• Stay active. Light exercise is important.
• Avoid contact with uncooked meats and kitty litter.
• Discuss any recent health concerns with your doctor before trying to get pregnant.
• Avoid caffeine.
• Take prenatal vitamins.
• Wear comfortable shoes with good support. As your belly grows, so will your feet. Now you have an excuse to go shoe shopping!

And of course, start taking the recommended 400 mcg of folic acid at least one month before getting pregnant to receive the full benefits of the B9-vitamin.

The post Tips For a Healthy Pregnancy appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death. CVD kills more than 17.3 million people each year, and this number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by the year 2030.

On average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds. There are roughly 795,000 new or recurrent strokes each year.

One way to make your heart healthier is by adding folic acid to your daily regimen. Researchers have found that folic acid and other B vitamin deficiencies can lead to elevated homocysteine levels, which has been pegged as a potential risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that comes from the normal breakdown of proteins in the body. Folic acid supports the breakdown of amino acids.

Some research also indicates that folic acid may provide stroke protection.

While the American Heart Association does not recommend folic acid supplements as a means to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, they do suggest a balanced diet that includes folate-rich foods. Those foods include dark green vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, and spinach; dried legumes such as chickpeas, beans, and lentils; citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, and papaya. Additional foods high in folic acid include avocado, okra, Brussels sprouts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and almonds.

While folic acid and folate can help keep your heart healthy, they are only one part of a multi-faceted health plan. Remember to eat a diet low in cholesterol, reduce sugar and salt intake, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

The post SHOW YOUR HEART SOME LOVE THIS FEBRUARY appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

El riesgo de una DTN, como la espina bífida y la anencefalia, se puede reducir hasta en un 70% con ácido fólico. Sin embargo, solo el 21% de las mujeres hispanas informan que consumen los 400 mcg de ácido fólico recomendados, en comparación con el 41% de las mujeres caucásicas.

El ácido fólico es una vitamina B que utilizan nuestros cuerpos para producir nuevas células, y es necesario para un crecimiento celular adecuado.

Los defectos del tubo neural se presentan en las primeras semanas del embarazo, a menudo antes de que las mujeres sepan que están embarazadas. Esta es la razón por la cual el CDC y el Servicio de Salud Pública de los Estados Unidos sugieren que todas las mujeres entre las edades de 15 y 45 años hacen que el ácido fólico sea una parte regular de su régimen vitamínico diario. La vitamina necesita estar en el sistema de una mujer durante al menos un mes para obtener todos los beneficios. Se recomienda a las mujeres tomar ácido fólico incluso si no están planeando quedar embarazadas porque casi la mitad de todos los embarazos en los U.S. No están planificados.

Si bien puede consumir una buena cantidad de ácido fólico a través de su dieta, es difícil alcanzar los 400 mcg recomendados solo con la dieta. La mayoría de las multivitaminas vendidas en los U.S. Tienen el 100% del valor diario recomendado (DV) de ácido fólico; revisa la etiqueta para estar seguro. Estos suplementos se pueden encontrar en cualquier farmacia y no requieren receta médica.

Each year in the United States, roughly 3,000 pregnancies are affected by neural tube defects. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious birth defects of the brain and spine. While NTDs can happen to anyone, Hispanic babies have a 30-40% higher risk of developing NTDs in the womb than other babies.

The risk of an NTD, like spina bifida and anencephaly, can be reduced by as much as 70% with folic acid. Yet only 21% of Hispanic women report consuming the recommended 400 mcg of folic acid, compared to 41% of Caucasian women.

Folic acid is a B vitamin our bodies use to make new cells, and it is necessary for proper cell growth.

NTDs occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before women know they are pregnant. This is why the CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service suggest all women between the ages of 15 and 45 make folic acid a regular part of their daily vitamin regimen. The vitamin needs to be in a woman’s system for a least a month to gain the full benefits. Women are advised to take folic acid even if they’re not planning to become pregnant because almost half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned.

While you can consume a good amount of folic acid through your diet, it’s difficult to reach the recommended 400 mcg through diet alone. Most multivitamins sold in the U.S. have 100% of the recommended daily value (DV) of folic acid; check the label to be sure. These supplements can be found at any drug store and do not require a prescription.

The post LOS EMBARAZOS HISPÁNICOS TIENEN MAYOR RIESGO DE DEFECTOS DE TUBOS NEURONALES appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

Whether you’re planning to start a family this year or not, it is in every woman’s best interest to be ready.

In 2011, roughly 45% of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the U.S. were unintended.

Even when planning, it can be weeks before a woman knows for sure she is pregnant.

The most dramatic changes and development for a baby occur during the first trimester. During this time, the baby develops at such a rapid rate. The boy or girl is fully formed, and an average of four inches long by the end of the first 12 weeks.

During the first four weeks, a baby’s major systems and organs begin to form. This is the time when neural tube defects that affect the brain, spine, and spinal cord, like spina bifida, develop.

This is why it is important to always be ready once you’re of childbearing age.

Cutting out recreational drug use, talking with your doctor about what prescribed medications (like antidepressants) to reduce and remove, and adding folic acid to your daily regimen, are all things that are important to begin doing before getting pregnant.

Stopping the use of drugs and certain medications after learning you’re pregnant, could be too late to prevent serious problems for the child.

It takes time for a drug to completely leave your body once you stop taking it, especially if it’s one you’ve been using for a long period of time.

For example, according to a Harvard study, for Prozac users, it can take 25 days for 99% of the drug to leave the body.

For most recreational drugs, while they tend to leave the blood stream within a few days, they can have more damaging effects on the embryo in a shorter period of time and have serious side effects such as low birth weight, premature labor, and even miscarriage and fetal death (source).

If you find out you’re pregnant two weeks after conception, it could take another week or more for the drugs to completely wash out of your system. By that time, the child is already a month into development.

In the case of folic acid, to receive the full benefits, it needs to already be in the expectant mother’s system. It is recommended women start taking folic acid at least one month prior to conception. The C.D.C recommends 400 mcg of folic acid be taken each day for the best results.

Resolving to live a clean and healthy lifestyle that includes vitamins like folic acid, is a perfect way to begin the new year.

The post Resolve to be Ready in 2018 appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

The most common birth defects are of the face and mouth, specifically cleft palate and cleft lip. The risk of these and other birth defects including but not limited to, spina bifida, anacephaly, and congenital heart disease, is greatly reduced with the daily use of folic acid.

January 7-13 is National Folic Acid Awareness Week. The CDC and U.S. Public Health Service urge all women of childbearing age who can become pregnant, to add 400 mcg of folic acid to their daily diet.

Because birth defects develop within the first few weeks of pregnancy, it is important to have the recommended level of folic acid in your system before becoming pregnant.

There are two ways to consume 400 mcg of folic acid daily:

• Taking a daily multi-vitamin containing folic acid
• Eating a diet that contains fortified foods like pastas, grains, and vegetables.

In addition to getting 400 mcg of folic acid from supplements and fortified foods, it is also important to eat a diet rich in folate. Folate is a form of the B vitamin folic acid. It is found naturally in some foods, such as leafy, dark green vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, and beans.

This year, celebrate National Folic Acid Awareness Week by adding folic acid to your daily regimen.

The post Folic Acid Awareness Week appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

It empowers women to take control of their reproductive health, enhances beauty, and helps to prevent a variety of diseases as well as stroke.

Folic Acid’s primary job is to reduce the risk of birth defects. The most common of those include spina bifida, anencephaly, congenital heart disease, cleft lip and palate, limb reduction defects, and obstructive uropathies.

There are around 1,500 babies born with spina bifida and 1,200 babies born with anencephaly in the United States each year. Across the world, it is estimated that more than 300,000 babies are born with a neural tube defect.

Just 400 mcg a day of the vitamin B-9 can reduce the risk of these defects by as much as 70-percent.

It is advised that all women planning on becoming pregnant begin taking Folic Acid one to three months before conception. With about 50-percent of all pregnancies in the U.S. being unplanned, the best course of action is to add Folic Acid to your regimen once you reach childbearing age.

The benefits of Folic Acid go beyond reducing the risk of birth defects. In girls as young as 10 years old, Folic Acid can help prevent acne and promote healthy nails and hair.

For teenage girls, Folic Acid benefits skin and can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, as well as colon cancer.

For women 40 years and older, it provides all the benefits it does to younger women, plus can help with a variety of blood clotting issues.

This Christmas, consider adding Folic Acid as a stocking stuffer. There’s no better gift to give than the gift of life and health.

The post Give The Gift of Folic Acid appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

Whether you suffer from celiac disease and thus must consume a gluten-free diet, or are just hoping it will help you lose a few pounds, it’s important to know that going gluten-free can have other effects on your body.

Dropping gluten from your diet can also mean missing out on important vitamins and minerals, like folate. Folic acid is added too all products made from enriched grains including many cereals, flours, pastas, and breads, thanks to a 1998 mandate by the Food and Drug Administration.

When grains are refined, the milling process removes many vitamins, including folic acid. Enriched grains have many of the nutrients lost in the milling process, added back in. In the case of folic acid, more is added into the grains than was there originally, meaning the products are actually fortified. Enriched grains have more folate in them than whole grains.

However, many gluten-free products are made of neither whole grains or enriched grains. Instead, these gluten-free products contain starches like potato starch or rice starch, in-place of the grains. These starches don’t contain the natural folate or the added folic acid found in grains.

Luckily, if you are on a gluten-free diet, either out of choice or necessity, there are other ways to get the recommended 400 mcgs of folic acid per day. Adding things like raw spinach, asparagus, whole grain quinoa, beans, and black-eyed peas can help increase your folate intake.

You can also find folic acid at any local drug or grocery store. It doesn’t require a prescription, and doesn’t cost a lot.

Folic acid and folate are vital for any woman planning on getting pregnant because it significantly reduces the risk of serious birth defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly. Folic acid has also been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Before starting a gluten-free diet, talk to you doctor to ensure your diet includes enough folic acid and other important nutrients.

The post How a Gluten-Free Diet Affects Folate Intake appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

The vitamin B-9 is beneficial for both men and women, but is especially important for any woman of child-bearing age.

We gathered three delicious recipes that will be perfect for any holiday get together!

Broccoli-Artichoke Dip with Toasted Whole Wheat Pita Chips

This fat-laden, healthy appetizer takes just 52 minutes to prepare.

• 3 mini whole wheat pitas (6″ diameter)
• 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts in water, drained
• 1/4 cup reduced-calorie mayonnaise
• 1 small clove garlic, peeled
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained, excess moisture gently pressed out
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

For the chips: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut each pita in half, cutting around the edge, making 2 rounds. Stack the rounds and cut into 8 wedges. Arrange the wedges rough side up in single layers on 2 baking sheets. Bake until the wedges are crisp and golden brown, about 10 minutes, reversing the position of the sheets halfway through baking. Let cool on the sheets on wire racks. Leave the oven on.

For the dip: In a food processor, combine the artichokes, mayonnaise, and garlic. Process until smooth. Add the broccoli and ricotta and pulse to form a chunky dip; do not puree. Scrape the mixture into a 9″ glass pie plate. Sprinkle with the Parmesan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the dip is heated through and begins to brown at the edges. Let cool for a few minutes before serving with the chips.

(Recipe courtesy: https://www.runnersworld.com/recipes/broccoli-artichoke-dip-with-toasted-whole-wheat-pita-chips)

Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This delicious side will match perfectly with whatever protein you serve this holiday season, whether it be chicken, turkey, or ham.

• 1 ½ pounds fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Preheat over to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with non-sticky spray and set aside.

Combine Brussels sprouts and olive oil in a large zip close bag and shake to coat. Add the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to the bag, then shake to coat.

Spread in an even layer on the baking sheet and bake for 15 to 17 minutes until the cheese is melted and the Brussels sprouts are lightly browned.

(Recipe courtesy: https://www.iwashyoudry.com/parmesan-roasted-brussel-sprouts/)

Asparagus, Ham and Mascarpone Tarts

This is a great dish to bring for the holiday meal or to create with leftovers.

• 2 frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
• 30g unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus extra to drizzle
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 150g sliced ham
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 250g marscapone cheese
• 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed, halved
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• ¼ cup shave parmesan

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line 2 trays with baking paper. Cut each pastry sheet into 4 squares, then lightly score a 2.5cm border around the edges of each square with a knife, without cutting all the way through. Place the squares on the trays and chill while you prepare the filling.

Melt butter with oil in a frypan over medium heat and cook onion for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until softened but not coloured. Cool slightly. Finely chop ham in a food processor. Add onion, mustard and mascarpone, then pulse to just combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spread mixture within the border of each pastry square, then top with asparagus pieces, alternating tips and ends. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Brush pastry borders with egg, then bake tarts for 20-25 minutes until pastry is golden and asparagus is tender. Top with parmesan and serve with a rocket salad if desired.

(Recipe Courtesy: http://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/asparagus-ham-mascarpone-tarts/8e350989-53a0-4600-9a96-5c2992fa9e45?current_section=recipes)

The post FOLIC ACID FOR THE HOLIDAYS appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

The first few weeks of the pregnancy are the most vital to the baby’s development. That’s why planning ahead is so important. Breaking old habits and developing new ones should all begin before conception.

First, it’s vital to stop things like smoking, drinking alcohol, and using recreational drugs. If you’re taking prescription medication, talk with your doctor to see if they could have an effect on your pregnancy, or even on your ability to become pregnant.

Avoid all hazardous chemicals and do your best to reduce stress and caffeine.

While you’re working to curb bad habits, start replacing them with good ones, like eating healthy and exercising. Good exercise options include walking, swimming, bicycling and yoga. You may also want to begin reading books on pregnancy to prepare yourself. Get lots of sleep; the recommended amount is a minimum of eight hours.

Schedule a doctor’s visit to discuss your intent to become pregnant. There are some medical conditions the doctor can check for that could have an impact on your pregnancy, including: diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia, and STDs.

Finally, start taking folic acid every day, one to three months prior to conception. A baby’s spine will fully develop in the first 28 days of pregnancy. Waiting until after you’ve learned you’re pregnant to add the recommended 400mcg of folic acid to your diet, could be too late to prevent neural tube defects like Spina bifida.

It’s always best to plan ahead, especially with a major life decision like having a baby. Also, with the high number of unplanned pregnancies every year, living healthy and taking folic acid whether your planning on getting pregnant or not, is just smart living.

The healthier you are before getting pregnant, the easier the pregnancy will be for you and your baby.

The post HEALTHY HABITS FOR PRECONCEPTION appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.