"Calling All Women"

OK, I will only stand on my soapbox for a minute...

I must urge my female family and friends, capable of becoming pregnant, to add folate (folic acid) to your vitamin regimine...if you haven't already! Let me repeat, women - - CAPABLE - - of becoming pregnant! By taking at least .4mg/d of folic acid you are reducing the risk of the development of a fetal neural tube defect (most commonly, anencephaly and spina bifida). If you are at high risk, you should take 4mg/day. I am sure there are some of you that do not plan on getting pregnant at this moment in time but unless you are barren or have taken permanent measures, this means you too! NTDs develop during the first four weeks of gestation, before most women even know they are pregnant which equates to....you have to take it before you get pregnant! Prevention is easy! Any women's daily vitamin has the necessary amount of folic acid to protect against NTD's. There are several foods that also contain folate. Stop and think....what a simple thing! Please just do it!

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_fol.html