CDC & folic acid
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
"Every woman of childbearing age, even if she is not planning on becoming pregnant, should supplement her diet with 400 mcg of folic acid each day," the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention said Jan. 24, in conjunction with the start of both the Year of the Healthy Child and Folic Acid Awareness Week. "Women whose family history shows a high risk of neural tube defects should take 10 times that amount: 4 mg," the center adds. The year's theme "will focus on improving the body, mind and spirit of the growing child [and] a healthy child begins before birth." The CDC's announcement follows the release of a study suggesting increased use of folic acid by 10.8 mil. women could save $1.3 bil. over the next five years (1"The Tan Sheet" Sept. 27, 2004, p. 10)...