
30-09-2008, 09:37 AM
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PapaEric
"New year, new hopes!"
Forum Facilitator
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central
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Posts: 9,067
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Folic acid and NTDs
Folic acid (or folate) is one of the essential B vitamins for healthy growth of every unborn baby. Folic acid helps to develop baby's spine, brain and skull.
It is important to start taking vitamin supplements with Folic acid before a mommy gets pregnant to reduce the risk of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs).
NTDs are birth defects that cause abnormalities of the spine, brain or skull of unborn baby which result in stillbirth or lifelong disability.
Good sources of Folic acid include dark green vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, peas and brussel sprouts), corn, dried peas, beans, lentils, oranges and orange juice. Whole grain breads and foods fortified with Folic acid will too provide significant amounts of this vitamin.
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