S population theresearchers developed a model

Public Health Service recommended that all women capable ofbecoming pregnant consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to reducetheir risk of having a child born with a NTD.However, a recent CDC studyreported that only 21 percent of Hispanic women are consuming the recommendedamount of folic acid, compared with over 40 percent of white women.This iseven more crucial because Hispanic women in the United States have the highestrates of babies born with NTDs. Food and Drug Administration's mandatory addition offolic acid to cereal, pasta, rice, bread and flour in 1998. These productswere considered a staple for most of the United States population. Before fortification, about 4,130babies had such neural tube defects each year in the United States, and nearly1,200 died.After fortification, the yearly number dropped to about 3,000,with 840 deaths.However, Hispanics have continued having a higher rate ofthese birth defects.The study, "Predicted contribution of folic acid fortification of corn masaflour to the usual folic acid intake for the U.S. population, NHANES2001-2004," examined data from 2,862 women aged 15-44 years collected throughthe National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES).To look atpotential impact of corn masa flour fortification with folic acid onMexican-American women compared to other segments of the U.S population, theresearchers developed a model. The primary goal of the study was to determine if fortification of a foodproduct that could specifically target Hispanic women might increase theiroverall average intake of folic acid and thus, improve their chances ofreducing their risk of having babies affected by NTDs. It focused onMexican-American women instead of Hispanic women in general because this grouphad the largest representation among the NHANES participants.

For more information, visit http:// 5 - 11 is Folic Acid Awareness WeekEvery year in United States approximately 3,000 pregnancies are affected byserious birth defects of the spine and brain called neural tube defects(NTDs). Folic acid can prevent up to 70 percent of these defects.What is folic acidFolic acid is a B vitamin Our bodies use it to make new cells. Everyone needsfolic acid, but for women who can get pregnant, it is very important. Folicacid can prevent up to 70 percent of neural tube defects (NTDs), such asanencephaly (a brain defect) and spina bifida (a defect in the development ofthe spinal cord). The CDC urges every woman who can become pregnant to get 400micrograms (400 mcg) of synthetic folic acid every day. Where can I get folic acidHow much is enough Women can get the 400 mcg of folic acid they need by taking a vitaminsupplement that contains folic acid, eating fortified foods such as breakfastcereals, rice, pasta, and bread, or doing both of these in addition to eatinghealthy foods rich in food folate, such as dark green leafy vegetables.When should a woman start taking folic acidWomen need to take folic acid every day, starting before they are pregnant tohelp prevent NTDs U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services/PRNewswire-USNewswire - Jan. 5/ SOURCECenters for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Media Relations,1-404-639-3286. Last week I wrote a post titled “Brian Bruney Strikes Fantasy Gold.” The reasoning behind the post was that with no other options in Washington, it looked like Bruney would become the Nationals’ closer in 2010. Capps can earn another $425,000 based on the number of games finished.So far this offseason, the Nationals have added a solid starter in Jason Marquis, an eighth inning set-up man in Bruney, and now their closer in Capps. I won’t mention the Ivan Rodriguez signing because that was a terrible move.But overall, the Nationals have had a very active and productive offseason. The Capps signing was a good move for both clubs for a couple of reasons.For Capps, he had offers from the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets, but chose the Nationals because they give him the best shot to be a closer and to re-establish his value for next offseason.After having solid 2007 and 2008 seasons, Capps really fell off in 2009. Capps had a 5.80 ERA and registered the highest BB/9 rate of his career (2.8/9).