Folate in Pregnancy Supplement - Research Paper Example

?FOLATE IN ESCS PREGNANCY SUPPLEMENT This paper examines and explores the implications of folate and its derivatives especially to fetal development during pre and early pregnancy. It also reports the significances of folate to the unborn child, both the positive, negative and controversial issues surrounding folic acid administration. It also elaborates the sources of folate. Role of Folate Animal physiology and nutrition takes into account the various nutritional components such as macronutrients and micronutrients and their contributions to the normal human lives. Folate is a water soluble B vitamin. Folate occur naturally in some foods, it is administered in others while could be provided as a food supplement for the pregnant women as well as other needing individuals; moreover, it can form a major dietary food component [1]. According to Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, [2] ‘Folate can also be taken in supplementary form in tablets or capsules.’ Folic acid is a vital supplement in food [3]. Many a times, its deficiency is due to fewer intakes in food. It is an essential component of gene metabolism process. Folate is a naturally occurring micronutrient while folic acid is a synthetic compound or micronutrient that is used as a food supplement especially during pregnancy period [3]. Deficiency of folic acid can be genetically affiliated, unhealthy dietary intake or genetic factors and the environment interactions [3]. Folic acid plays a major role in ensuring that a pregnant woman blood is boosted to prevent anemic conditions during pregnancy and also to ensure that the growing baby’s blood needs are met. Lack of folic acid is implicated in the possible neutral tube birth development defects in an infant, there could be possible anemic baby born with low weight with preterm birth [3]. ‘Scientists estimate that periconceptional use could reduce neural birth defects by 50% to 60%. A new study in Norway has shown that women who took folate just before becoming pregnant and immediately after conception had their babies with less possibilities of experiencing autism [4]. Arguments on folate According to Pittman [4] Researchers with Journal of the American Medical Association carrying out a study in Norway confirmed that women taking folic acid or supplements of folic acid have reduced risk of autism being developed by their fetus. That is, the probability of suffering from spina bifida is reduced. Certain biosynthetic pathways like the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules require folic acid. Deficiency of this vitamin will hence lead to megaloblastic anemia due to impaired cell division or rather unresponsive cell cycle[1]. Folate functions in metabolic reactions such as single-carbon transfers. ‘The methylation of deoxyuridylate to thymidylae in the formation of DNA, as had been mentioned above, is vital for cell division,’ [1]. It is therefore an important micronutrient that should be a supplement to the pregnant women so that fetal development: embryo development, cell division and differentiation can take place normally and in the right way. Notably, folic acid exhibits effects on genes and DNA and possibly contributes to the observed brain development disorders in growing babies and as such could be associated with autism. As a co-substrate or coenzyme, folic acid helps in the reduction of cardiovascular diseases or even stroke, in biochemical metabolism and human physiological factors indicate that folic acid and other B vitamins are actively engaged in the homocysteine levels regulations in the body [5]. In this postulation, scientists and researchers have argued that lowered concentrations of homocysteine aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease susceptibilities [6]. In addition, mild deficiencies of folate are observed in a condition: plasma hyperhomocysteinemia. Many a times coupled to the inadequacy in the amount of vitamin B6 or B12 too[7]. Addition research as shown that depressed people who respond to antidepressants such as desyryl are highly sensitive to only those who have a certain level of folic acid in their systems; an indication of potential adjuvant role played by folic acid. Pregnant mothers, depressed but on folic acid regimen, would experience a lower risk of excessive depression if the diet is administered appropriately, say 400mg/day. Furthermore, research reiterates that even though the effects of folic acid in men has not been thoroughly indicated, women who receive a drug regimen of fluoxetine plus folic acid show highly improved depressive status than those who use alternatives [1]. A depressed mother pregnancy may end up giving birth to a depressed child. On the contrary, folate could be associated in an inverse correlation with carcinogenesis. The fact that an inverse relationship exists between the levels of folic acid supplement and possible cancerous cell proliferation has drawn attention. Findings from Norway by trials carried out using a sample of 3,411 people (for 39 months) with ischemic heart illness showed an increased cancer occurrence by 21% and a mortality increment 38% contrary to when no supplementation was administered [1]. This could be due to the role of folate as one carbon transfer mechanism and its greatest influence in cell division and proliferation. Even though studies show possibilities of reduced cancer in trial groups under higher regimens (800mg/day) as compared with those who take less (200mg/day) especially on colorectal cancer, the risk of cancer such as prostate, breast or even ovarian cancer are paramount [8]. In this view, it is still hard to tell if the benefits of folic acids outweigh the demerits especially when conditions such as cancer come in. The neurological defects associated with high levels of folic acid are also inevitable, in as much as high concentrations prevent cardiac damages; neurons are susceptible to damage [9]. Folic acid is … can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects [10]. Human trials carried out in both Atlanta and California indicated a decrease in congenital myocardial defect; a record of 24 percent less for Atlanta [1]. According to Werler et al [5] cited in New England Journal of Medicine, a research carried out on a long term basis on several women of child bearing age, indicate that the use of folic acid antagonists in early pregnancy may lead to exacerbated risk of cardiovascular diseases, oral clefts, and even urinary tract defects. Prenatal folic acid supplements appear to reduce the risk for autistic spectrum disorders [10]. Summary Taking folic acid supplements … lower the risk of autistic disorder in the offspring [11]. Folic acid is therefore important micronutrient to women in the child-bearing age, it is imperative that they take supplement pre and during pregnancy. Folic acid seems to be a vital biochemical and physiological agent, it is important that ESCs implement its policy of introducing folic acid in pregnancy to help expectant mothers carry pregnancies to term, avoid birth defects and hence give birth to healthy children. Folate is of a great benefit to the mother and the fetus [12]. ESCs must therefore take into account that folic introduction in pregnancy is a fundamental right to the development of a sound baby during infancy. Reference 1. Office of Dietary Supplements. National Institute of Health; 2012 2. Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence. 2009-2010 Summary Report from the New South Wales Child Health Survey; 2012. 3. Lassi ZS, Salam RA, Bhutta ZA and Haider BA. Folic Acid supplementation during pregnancy for maternal health and pregnancy outcomes: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 3, Art. No.: CD006896, [pubmed]; 2013. 4. Pittman G. Follic acid in pregnancy tied to lower autism risk. Reuters, New York. 2013 5. Werler M. M., Diaz S. H, Walker A. M., and Mitchell A. A.. N Engl J Med; November 30, 2000DOI: 10.1056/NEJM200011303432204, 343:1608-1614; 2000. 6. Bailey LB, Gregory jfr, Browman B. And Russell R. Folate. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. International Life Sciences Institute. Pp 278-301; 2006. 7. Goldhaber S. Z., Medical Progress: Pulmonary Embolism. The New England Journal of Medicine, (2) Vol, 339; 1998. 8. Bauchner H. Journal of the American Medical Association; 2013. 9. Wilson RD, Wyatt P, Allen V, Johnson JA, Gagnon A, Langlois S, et al. Pre-connectional vitamin/folic acid supplementation 2007: the use of folic acid in combination with a multivitamin supplement for the prevention of neural tube defects and other congenital anomalies; 2007. 10. Healthy start. Vitamins and nutrition in pregnancy. Http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/vitamins-minerals-supplements-pregnant.aspx ; 2013. 11. Milloy S. Magic Vitamin: Folic acid supplements early in pregnancy may reduce child’s risk of autism by 40 percent; 2013. 12. Neale T. Folic Acid May Ward Off Autism: Autism. Journal of the American Medical Association; 2013. 13. Bhutta ZA, Imdad A, Ramakrishnan U, Martorell R. Et. Al. Is it time to replace iron folate supplements in pregnancy with multiple micronutrients; 2012. Read More