Vitamin Information Center

Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC)
Definition
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
was founded 60 years ago to help control malaria.
Today it is the leading U.S. government agency of the
Department of Health and Human Services for protecting
the health and safety of the people of the U.S.,
with the following vision for the 21st century: “Healthy
People in a Healthy World – Through Prevention”.
The CDC focuses national attention on prevention and
control of infectious and chronic diseases, disabilities,
injuries, and environmental health threats. It is headquartered
in Atlanta, Georgia.

If you’re a young woman, take a vitamin supplement with folic acid.

Public health experts have been saying this for years, because folic acid _ a synthetic form of the B vitamin folate found in leafy green veggies _ can reduce the risk of brain and spinal cord birth defects by up to 70 percent.

Alas, only 12 percent of women ages 18 to 45 have heard about the benefits of folic acid, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among Hispanic women, awareness is even less, which the CDC says is why their children are 1.5 times to three times more likely to have a “neural tube” birth defect such as spina bifida than children of non-Hispanic white women.

7The government recommends 400 micrograms a day of folate for everyone over 13, but 600 mcg. for pregnant women.

Since many pregnancies aren’t planned, it’s important for women of childbearing age to take a folic acid vitamin supplement just to be safe, said CDC epidemiologist Heather Hamner.

f you’re a young women, take a vitamin supplement with folic acid.

Public health experts have been saying this for years, because folic acid - a synthetic form of the B vitamin folate found in leafy green veggies - can reduce the risk of brain and spinal cord birth defects by up to 70 percent.

Alas, only 12 percent of women ages 18 to 45 have heard about the benefits of folic acid, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among Hispanic women, awareness is even less, which the CDC says is why their children are 1.5 times to three times more likely to have a “neural tube” birth defect such as spina bifida than children of non-Hispanic white women. Continue Reading…