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Oct 14, 2009 8:44 am US/Central
Folic Acid May Have Connection To Asthma
DENVER (CBS) ―
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Many pregnant women take folic acid supplements to avoid birth defects.
CBS
A supplement taken by pregnant women to prevent birth defects may contribute to a rise in asthma in their babies.
Scientists at National Jewish Health in Denver discovered the connection in mice, CBS station KCNC-TV reports.
Folic acid has played a huge role in the prevention of birth defects of the spine and brain. A diet high in green, leafy vegetables, certain fruits and nuts is a diet rich in the vitamin "folate" that helps the body make new cells. Folic acid is the man-made form. Since 1992 all women of childbearing age have been urged to get a daily dose of folic acid.
"We know that there are positive effects but there's also the potential for negative effects," Dr. Erwin Gelfand with National Jewish Health said.
Scientists at National Jewish Health fed pregnant mice diets high in folic acid and other similar supplements.
"In mice, when pregnant mothers were fed supplements, the incidence and severity of an asthma-like disease in their offspring was higher," Gelfand said.
The prevalence of asthma has nearly doubled in the past 25 years. It currently affects 11 percent of the population.
"I think this is the question. Have we introduced something that has contributed to the increase in allergic diseases?" Gelfand said.
"I'm not going to go out and stop taking my folic acid just because I heard about this study," expectant mother Natalie Lundstrom said.
Researchers say pregnant women shouldn't stop taking folic acid and should listen to the recommendations of their obstetrician. They should let scientists continue their folic acid studies to see if what they found in mice applies to human mothers.
The National Jewish researchers have been awarded a $1 million grant to pursue their folic acid study in humans.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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