Fabulous Folate Linked to Healthy Heart and Healthy Babies by Mindy Hermann, RD (NAPSA)—Whatdoes a middleaged man whois at risk for heart disease have in commonwith a womanof childbearing age? They both could benefit from having folate in their daily diet. I had the privilege of talking to some leading authorities to bring you the latest information on fabulous folate. Folate, also called Hermann folic acid, is needed by cells as they grow anddivide and the faster a cell grows, the more folate it needs. Red blood cells and the rapidly dividing cells of a growing fetus are amongthebiggest users of this vitamin. Everybody can benefit from folate. It even helps the body in its recovery from exercise. The namefolic acid refers to the form of this vitamin that is added whenfoodsare fortified. (Think of it this way: we get folate from folic acid and vitamin C from citric acid.) For pregnant women—Adiet with adequate amountsof folate and folic acid can help prevent the most commontypeof birth defect, which is a neural tube defect like spina bifida or anencephaly. “Most women don’t even know they are pregnant early on, so getting enough folic acid is essential prior to pregnancy,” says Bob Resta, M.S., a genetic counselor at Swedish Medical Centerin Seattle. “Fortified cereals can provide adequate amounts of folic acid, so womenshould listen to their mothers and avoid skipping breakfast.” The Institute of Medicine recommendsthat all womenof childbearing age get about 400 microgramsoffolic acid every day. FRUITS For heart health—High blood levels of a particular aminoacid, homocysteine, have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Scientists have discovered that a diet rich in folic acid lowers levels of homocysteine. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that blood homocysteine levels went down in men and women who ate a daily bowl of breakfast cereal (study participants ate Total cereal) that was fortified with folic acid. It has been estimated that lowering blood homocysteine levels by increasing folic acid intake could significantly reducerisk of heart disease, blood clots in veins, and stroke. Finding folate—A small number of foods—legumes like lentils and kidney beans, orange juice, and spinach and leafy greens — supply folate. Cereals like Whole Grain Total supply enough folic acid to meet 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of 400 microgramsdaily for all adults. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended fortified grains and cereals because it is difficult for individuals to absorb the necessary levels of folic acid from naturally occurring sources. Ask Mindy Dear Mindy, do I need to eat foodsrich in folate if I am taking a pregnancy multivitamin that supplies folic acid? Lori from Dallas, Texas Dear Lori, you still should eat folate-rich foods because they contain other beneficial nutrients and compoundsavailable only in foods but not in a supplement. (Questions for Mindy? E-mail her at askmindy@totalcereal.com) FOR FOLATE AND FOLIC ACID OrangeJuice 1 cup 109mcg 27% VEGETABLES & LEGUMES —Cooked Lentils Cooked Asparagus Raw, Chopped Spinach 1/2 cup 1/2 cup ] cup 179mg 121 meg 108 meg 45% 30% 27% GRAINS & CEREALS Wheat Germ Wheaties 1/3 cup ] cup 108 meg 102 meg 27% 25% ee ee eee eee eee + a lalaaaaietatetaieieieieieiaielelaleleialeiaiaiatal Note to Editors: This is Series IV—14 of 26. It is the inaugural release by dietician Mindy Hermann, who will authorall future series releases. And the format has been redesigned to invoke a stronger connection to your readers and ease in readability, while offering a crisper and more contemporary look.
