Uncategorized Archives – Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition

Becky Bregy
March of Dimes
Terry Love
ACH nutrition
Brandi Nichols
AR Center for BD
Charlotte Hobbs
Bettye Baxter
Veronica Smith
Pearl McElfish
National Childrens Study
Sherry Lloyd
AHEC
Mark Mengel
UAMS CON
Carmen Paniagua
AR DOH
David Grimes
Bob West
Heartlands
Brad Schaefer
Perinatology
Nafisa Dajani
FAS (partner)
Carol Rangle
AFMC
Teresa Holmes
UAMS Center for Rural Health
Kristie Hadden
UAMS COPH / Mexican consulate
Elvirra Aguire Wendrell
Parent
Julie Mayberry
Diasability Services
Rodney Farley
ACH Media
Shawn Harwell
ADE
Paula Smith

AHEC
Mark Mengel
UAMS CON
Carmen Paniagua
AR DOH
David Grimes
Bob West
Heartlands
Brad Schaefer
Perinatology
Nafisa Dajani
FAS (partner)
Carol Rangle
AFMC
Teresa Holmes
UAMS Center for Rural Health
Kristie Hadden
UAMS COPH / Mexican consulate
Elvirra Aguire Wendrell
Parent
Julie Mayberry
Diasability Services
Rodney Farley
ACH Media
Shawn Harwell
ADE
Paula Smith
Aimee Berry
AR Center for Health Improvement
Carol Garner
UAMS Psych (Teratology)
Zach Stowe
AR Dept of Ed (K-12)
Ruth Welch
AR College Student Personel Committee
AR College Drug Education Committee

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What is Folic Acid?

admin — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 09:10:50 +0000

Folic Acid or Vitamin B-9 helps your body make DNA and RNA, the genetic “brains” that tell your body how to build cells. More importantly for future moms, if you are taking Vit. B-9 for at least 3-12 months before you get pregnant, it can prevent your baby from dying or being paralyzed for life. Doctors found that women taking B-9 before getting pregnant could prevent 70% or more of these tragic birth defects. These defects occur before you know you are pregnant. Since 50% of pregnancies in the US are unplanned (80% of teen pregnancies) you have to remember (and convince daughters and granddaughters) to take a B-9 pill every day.

A significant number of Neural Tube Defects (NTD) [Spina bifida and anencephalic birth defects] can be prevented by moms taking Folic Acid before getting pregnant.

Spina bifida (babies born with a hole in the spine) will have lifetime paralysis.
Anencephalic babies are born without a brain and always die shortly after birth.

How Can You Prevent This From Happening To Your Child Or Grandchild

All women between 10 and 50 need to take 1 or 2 Vitamin B-9 pills every day (400 or 800 micrograms).
Vitamin B-9 is cheap and no prescription is required.
Since 1998 the FDA has required flour and cereal makers to put about 100 micrograms a day in our food but that is not enough.
Ask your doctor about LARC (Long Acting Reversible Contraception); the best contraception for preventing unplanned pregnancies.

YouTube video links about Vitamin B-9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Nxhsx9Iok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx1PgzYpLmY

The post What is Folic Acid? appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

benefits of taking Folic Acid for women ages 20-39

admin — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 18:17:55 +0000

Reduces the Risk of Birth Defects
Reduces Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer
Enhances Beauty
Glowing Skin
Stronger, Healthier Nails
Maintains Healthy Hair
Acne Prevention

The post benefits of taking Folic Acid for women ages 20-39 appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

Dosage and Conversions

admin — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 15:15:09 +0000

Let’s Break it Down

Folic Acid= Folate =Vitamin B9

1gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg)

1 milligram=1,000micrograms (mcg)

For Example:

The recommended dose of Folic Acid for most women of childbearing age is 400 mcg or 0.4mg.

0.4 milligrams (mg) of Folic Acid = 400 micrograms (mcg) of Folic Acid

Other conversions:

0.8 mg of Folic Acid = 800 mcg of Folic Acid

4 mg of Folic Acid = 4,000 mcg of Folic Acid

Supplements

4 mg of folic acid = 4,000 mcg of folic acid this should be given to you by your doctor as a written prescription that is filled at the pharmacy because you meet or more of the high risk factors for a pregnancy that can be effected by a serious birth defect.

The post Dosage and Conversions appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

Woman Pic

admin — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 14:03:21 +0000

The post Woman Pic appeared first on Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition.

About Folic Acid

admin — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 12:58:38 +0000

• Folic Acid or Vitamin B-9 helps your body make DNA and RNA, the genetic “brains” that tell your body how to build cells.
• More importantly for future moms, if you are taking Vit. B-9 for at least 3-12 months before you get pregnant, it can prevent your baby from dying or being paralyzed for life.
• Doctors found that women taking B-9 before getting pregnant could prevent 70% or more of these tragic birth defects. These defects occur before you know you are pregnant.
• Since 50% of pregnancies in the US are unplanned (80% of teen pregnancies) you have to remember (and convince daughters and granddaughters) to take a B-9 pill every day.
• Neural Tube Defects (NTD) [Spina bifida and anencephalic birth defects] can only be prevented by moms taking B-9 before getting pregnant.
• Spina bifida (babies born with a hole in the spine) will have lifetime paralysis.
• Anencephalic babies are born without a brain and always die shortly after birth.
How Can You Prevent This From Happening To Your Child Or Grandchild
• All women between 10 and 50 need to take 1 or 2 Vitamin B-9 pills every day (400 or 800 micrograms).
o Vitamin B-9 is cheap and no prescription is required.
o Since 1998 the FDA has required flour and cereal makers to put about 100 micrograms a day in our food but that is not enough.
o Ask your doctor about LARC (Long Acting Reversible Contraception); the best contraception for preventing unplanned pregnancies.
• YouTube video links about Vitamin B-9
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Nxhsx9Iok
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx1PgzYpLmY
• The information and resources listed here are intended for educational use only. The information provided on this web site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. Always contact your physician and/or other qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or with questions about your health.
• HOME / BACK TO TOP / CONTACT US
• Arkansas Folic Acid Coalition
Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention
1120 Marshall Street, Mail Slot 512-40
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 364-5001–telephone
1-877-662-4567–toll-free
(501) 364-5107—fax

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Birth Defects

admin — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 12:19:50 +0000

• The term ‘birth defects’ refers to something that is (medically) wrong at the time of the birth of a baby. You may hear doctors use the term ‘congenital anomaly’ which means the same thing

• In general these terms are used for structural changes in the baby. By that we mean that the baby has a malformation of some body part. However the term may also apply to developmental problems such as autism or mental retardation.

• Birth defects are much more common than most people think. The best data from the United States suggests that birth defects occur in about 1 in 20 babies born!

• There are many different causes of birth defects. Most of the time the cause of the birth defect is not known. In fact, currently the specific cause of birth defects can only be determined in about 1 in 3 cases.

• Since the cause of most birth defects is not known, many are simply not preventable. However, a lot of research over the last 25 years has shown that, without a doubt, some of the more common types of birth defects can be prevented if the mother uses folic acid in the recommended dose prior to getting pregnant.

• Some of the birth defects that can be reduced by the mother’s use of folic acid include:
o Spina bifida – a problem with the closure of the spinal column. This can lead to problems with walking and bowel/bladder control.Picture? use
o Anencephaly – a problem with the formation of the brain and the surrounding skull. Most of these children die shortly after birth
o Congenital heart disease – a malformation of the heart
o Cleft lip and palate – abnormal closure of the lip and palate picture? use
o Limb reduction defects – problems with the development of the arms and legs
o Obstructive uropathies – abnormal formation of the kidneys or bladder

• Link to AR Fetal Dx and Management

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