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SPINA BIFIDA ANENCEPHALY

POSTED BY EIZ ON MONDAY, 28 MAY, 2012, 11:00 AM

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spina-bifida-anencephaly.png (2) An estimated 3000 pregnancies each year in the United States are affected by neural tube defects (NTDs), which are serious birth defects of the spine (spina bifida) and brain (anencephaly). (3) However, consumption of the B vitamin folic acid prior ... Share |

SPINA BIFIDA ANENCEPHALY

Posted byo Eiz n Monday, 28 May, 2012, 11:00 AM

The bioavailability of folic acid does not significantly differ between delivery in standard tablet or softgel capsule forms, according to research published in this month's Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Folic Acid helps support a women's pregnancy and development of a healthy newborn.

"This research provides important information to health professionals who treat women of childbearing age. Because half of all pregnancies are unplanned(1), intake of folic acid should be part of the daily routine for many women and this research helps to reduce barriers for its intake through supplements," said Louis I. Ndife, DVM, Ph.D., Director of Medical and Scientific Affairs at Pharmavite LLC. The folic acid tablets and prenatal multivitamins with DHA softgels used in the study were manufactured by Pharmavite LLC., makers of Nature Madevitamins.

This randomized crossover study evaluated the bioavailability of folic acid from a multivitamin softgel capsule vs. a folic acid tablet in 16 premenopausal women (18-45 yr of age). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of ~1000 mcg folic acid in two tablets or ~1000 mcg folic acid in a multivitamin softgel capsule, and then crossed over to receive the other study product ~one week later. Blood samples were collected pre-dose (0 hr) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 hr post-dose for serum folate analysis. The study results showed apparent bioavailability of folic acid was similar for the folic acid tablets and a multivitamin softgel capsule.(2)

There were no significant differences between folic acid tablets and multivitamin/mineral softgel capsules for serum folate net incremental areas under the curve (niAUC 0-8 hr), total areas under the curve (AUC 0-8 hr) or maximum concentrations (C max). There was an apparent delay in absorption of folic acid from the softgel capsule compared with the tablets, but this difference is likely clinically insignificant in the context of long-term nutrition.(2)

T h e s t u d y c o n c l u d e d t h a t s e r u m f o l a t e A U C 0-8 h r a n d C m a x w e r e s i m i l a r f o r a multivitamin/mineral supplement with folic acid in a softgel capsule when compared to a similar formulation in tablet form, although the timing of absorption appeared to differ, with the peak folate