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Lifestyle: Folate / Micronutrients

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Vitamins & Supplements

First, all women should be asked about their use of dietary supplements – both medical and “non-medical” (vitamins, minerals, home remedies, herbal products, weight loss supplements, etc.)

Since the FDA regulates this category differently than traditional drugs, very little is known about the quality and science behind much of what lines the shelves of health food stores. Even so, you must ask your patient about the use of these substances as they can impact other conditions or medications.

For more specific information about recommended daily intake of nutrients, consult the Institute of Medicine recommendations for daily intake.

 

 

Folate

  • Based on a healthy body of evidence, all reproductive age women of should ingest 0.4 mg folic acid daily (either by taking a supplement and/or by eating fortified foods) in addition to eating a healthy diet, complete with folate-rich foods such as legumes, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, breads/cereals made with folic acid enriched flour.

    • The ideal solution consists of the patient taking a multivitamin that contains 0.4 mg folate in addition to eating a well-balanced diet.

    Talking to your patients really does make a difference:

  • A 2002 study demonstrated that talking to patients about supplementing with folate improves prepregnancy folate status.1 

    1. (Non-UAB Access) de Weerd S, Thomas CM, Cikot RJ, Steegers-Theunissen RP, de Boo TM, Steegers EA. Preconception counseling improves folate status of women planning pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol [Internet]. 2002 Jan [cited 2009 Jul 20];99(1):45-50. Available from http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal.