3346 Mandated folate levels
This is certainly odd. Or maybe not. In the 1990s, the federal government mandated folate be added to cereal foods because in pregnant women it can reduce certain birth defects. But. . ."Fortification of enriched cereal-grain products with the B vitamin folic acid to help prevent pregnancies affected by neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida and anencephaly became mandatory in the United States in January 1998. Although median serum folate concentrations among nonpregnant women of childbearing age increased initially after the mandate, levels decreased 16% from 1999--2000 through 2003--2004, and RBC folate concentrations decreased 8%." MMWR Jan. 5, 2007
I'm guessing it is certain low-carb fad diets that suggest you not eat bread, rolls, macaroni products, rice, corn meal, etc. The largest decrease was among non-Hispanic whites. You can't mess with Mother Nature--eat all the colors, ladies--just eat less if you're fat. And move more. It works. And be especially careful if you are childbearing age.
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3 comments:
You are so right Norma. Faddy diet trends are a nightmare for developing babies. Perhaps though those eating low carb diets should know that walnuts contain folic acid, and so hopefully, asssuming that they don't have a nut intolerance, they could eat some walnuts.... best to eat some of the other stuff too though really...
Sally
I like the simple mandate you gave: "Eat all the colors" - that is much easier to remember and fix in people's minds than the usual reminders about healthful diet.
I just cooked up "a mess of greens" and repackaged for freezing in individual amounts. With some bright red peppers, white onions, and yellow corn, it's a beautiful lunch. Not sure about the folate levels (although greens seem to have it all), but I'd better not get pregnant at this age!
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