DENVER, Colo. / A New Year’s resolution the March of Dimes urges all women of childbearing age to undertake is to add folic acid to their daily diet. This one step can help reduce the incidence of some of the most serious birth defects—neural tube defects (or NTDs) which affect the brain and spine.

To raise awareness of folic acid consumption, the March of Dimes Colorado Chapter is joining the Colorado Folic Acid Task Force and the National Council on Folic Acid to observe National Folic Acid Awareness Week (January 8 through 14). That week and throughout January, the chapter will make available to all Coloradans a free folic acid information kit. The kit (available in both Spanish and English) may be obtained by contacting the March of Dimes at (303) 692-0011 or CO611@marchofdimes.com.

Said Scott Matthews, program services director of the March of Dimes Colorado chapter, “Folic acid is a B vitamin necessary for proper cell growth. Research shows that if adequate amounts of folic acid are consumed before a woman becomes pregnant, up to 70 percent of NTDs can be prevented.” NTDs include spina bifida, the leading cause of childhood paralysis.

Matthews also noted that Hispanic babies are 1.5 to two times more likely than others in the U.S. to be born with an NTD. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Latinas are less likely than other racial or ethnic groups to consume adequate amounts of folic acid.

To get an adequate amount of folic acid, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. Most daily multivitamins contain this. Eating folic-acid rich foods can also help. Such foods include fortified grain products (bread, cereals, pasta and rice), dried beans and peas, peanut butter, orange juice and fresh leafy green vegetables.

“Considering that half of pregnancies are unplanned, it is especially important that all women of childbearing age take folic acid daily, even before thinking of becoming pregnant,” said April Montgomery, chair of the Colorado Folic Acid Task Force.

Emerging research shows that folic acid may also reduce the risk of other birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate and heart defects; the risk of cardiovascular disease; Alzheimer’s disease; and colon, cervical and breast cancer.

“We believe that taking adequate amounts of folic acid can be beneficial for men and women, plus people of all ages,” said Adriane K. Griffen, chair of the National Council on Folic Acid.

The March of Dimes is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. To achieve its mission, the March of Dimes funds research, community services, education and advocacy. For more information, visit the March of Dimes at marchofdimes.com (English) and nacersano.org (Spanish). To learn more about March of Dimes grants, programs and activities in Colorado, visit marchofdimes.com/colorado.

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Media contact 
Becky Herlinger
March of Dimes
(303) 692-0011
bherlinger@marchofdimes.com