Folic acid enjoys a reputation as the pre-eminent pregnancy nutrient, one that is based on its ability to help ward against neural tube defects (NTDs), such as spina bifida. However, recent evidence suggests that adequate levels of folate (the form of folic acid found naturally in food) are also important in ensuring healthy growth of the foetus and reducing the risk of undersized babies.
The research in question was conducted at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and involved the assessment of the diets of nearly 1,000 women in the early stages of pregnancy. This study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found that women with low intakes of folate were more likely to have lighter babies, suggesting that folate is an important ingredient in helping to ensure a baby attains a healthy birth weight. The implications of this are considerable, as low birth weight is associated with a significantly increased risk of health issues, not just in infancy, but also in later life.
Folate is believed to support the functioning of DNA - the material in the body's cells integral to their healthy replication. Proper working of DNA has the potential to affect growth and development, and will reduce the risk of birth defects such as NTDs. The role folic acid plays in assisting DNA function could, in theory, also give it some potential in preventing other conditions related to DNA malfunction, such as Down's syndrome.
Interestingly, research shows that parents of children born with an NTD are at significantly increased risk of having a child affected by Down's syndrome, and vice versa. Also, previous research has linked evidence of low folate levels in the body with increased risk of Down's syndrome. While studies assessing the effects of nutritional supplementation on Down's syndrome risk have yet to be performed, the evidence currently suggests that folic acid may well offer some element of protection in this regard.
DNA malfunctioning and the development of related abnormalities are most likely to occur in the early stages of pregnancy. Adequate intakes of folate and/or folic acid should begin before pregnancy - start nutritional preparations two or three months prior to attempts at conception. Foods rich in folate include beans, lentils and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and cabbage.
In addition, it is recommended that women supplement with 400 micrograms of folic acid per day prior to conception, and for at least the first three months of pregnancy.
Since the menopause I have been plagued by very coarse facial hair on my chin and around my lips. I assume this is the result of hormonal readjustments in the female/male hormone ratio. Can you help?
The natural falling off of female hormone levels that accompanies menopause can leave male hormones (androgens) to exert a greater effect in the female body. This imbalance can manifest as excess hair growth, or hirsutism. Rarely, high androgen levels can be the result of excessive secretion by the ovaries or adrenal glands, which can sometimes be related to the presence of a tumour. For this reason, I suggest you seek medical advice. Hirsutism that is a natural consequence of menopause may respond to medical treatment. One option is a drug called finasteride, which blocks the conversion of the androgen testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the more active form of the hormone. I've also found the herb saw palmetto (at a dose of about 320mg per day) helps reduce hirsutism in women, though it generally takes several months to exert full effect.
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Many parents are concerned that their children eat a healthy diet, but achieving this can be fraught with difficulty. The temptation can be to attempt to encourage children to eat healthily through cajoling, though many find this strategy is rarely effective. In a recent study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers assessed the effect that mothers' own eating habits and attempts to encourage healthy eating had on their daughters.
In this study, 173 mothers and their seven-year-old daughters were interviewed with regard to their eating habits. Also, mothers were specifically asked if they pressurised their daughters to eat more. The girls' eating habits were assessed again about two years later. This study found that children of mothers who ate plenty of fruit or vegetables tended to do the same. Interestingly, children whose mothers put pressure on them to eat were more likely to be 'picky eaters'. These results support the experience of many parents that attempting to coerce children to eat healthy foods is often counterproductive, and gives credence to the notion that when it comes to getting children to eat healthily, it generally helps to lead by example.