Are You Overdosing On Folic Acid?
Posted by Amber Robinson at 4:21 PM on March 16, 2009
When it comes to folic acid, it appears that you can have too much of a good thing.
An Australian health professor is concerned that plans to introduce mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid this year may push women over the recommended daily intake of 600mcg.
Many pregnant women already consume the B-group vitamin in pregnancy supplements, stand alone vitamin products and green leafy vegetables. It has been proven that folic acid supplements can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects in foetuses.
Professor Julie Owens, head of the school of pediatrics and reproductive health at the University of Adelaide, said, “It’s important to follow the current guidelines, which are effective in reducing the occurrence of neural tube defects, but there’s now emerging evidence that we need to do studies on long-term health consequences, such as the risk of asthma and insulin resistance in offspring.”
I swear it is confusing being a pregnant woman these days. I just can’t keep up with what vitamins I’m supposed to take and whether or not I should eat nuts. All I can say is: ask your doctor, midwife or OB.
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