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Prevent Birth Defects with Folic Acid
Each vitamin and mineral put into prenatal vitamins plays an important
role in the healthy development of a baby. However, one of the most
key ingredients in prenatal vitamins is folic acid. In 1992, after
several studies showed that folic acid can reduce the incidence
of certain birth defects, the United States Department of Health
and Human Services recommended that all women of childbearing age
consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day.
Folic
acid is a B vitamin that has been shown to prevent neural tube defects,
which occur in the first four weeks of pregnancy when the neural
tube, which becomes the baby's brain and spinal cord, does not develop
completely.
According
to the March of Dimes, spina bifida (open spine) and anencephaly
(incomplete development of the brain and skull) make up 90% of neural
tube defects. The March of Dimes also estimates that 70% of neural
tube defects in the United States could be prevented if all women
of childbearing age took 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Stuart Prenatal® offers women 800 micrograms of folic acid in each
dose, the largest dose of folic acid available without a prescription.
 There
is also scientific evidence to suggest that folic acid may prevent
other birth defects including cleft palate, congenital heart defects,
limb-reduction defects and urinary tract defects.
Folic
acid is not just for your baby, it may also be good for you as well.
Some studies suggest that adequate amounts of folic acid may reduce
the risk for adult diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and colon
and cervical cancer.
Taking
a high quality prenatal vitamin with an adequate amount of folic
acid, like Stuart Prenatal®, is one way to love your baby -
and your body.
ABCs
of Prenatal Vitamins
While folic acid is very important, developing babies also need
other vitamins and minerals for healthy growth. Vitamins like A,
D and C and minerals such as zinc and iron are important early building
blocks of life.
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Here's
how the vitamins and minerals in Stuart Prenatal® help
you and your baby.
Vitamin A
· Supplied as beta carotene
· Helps keep skin smooth
· Helps keep mucous membranes firm and resistant
to infections
· Helps promote healthy eyes
Vitamin D
· Helps the body absorb calcium from the digestive
tract
· Helps build calcium and phosphorous into
bones
Vitamin E
· Protects fatty substances in body tissues
from degenerating
Vitamin C
· Makes material that holds cells together
· Makes walls of blood vessels firm
· Helps resist infection
· Helps prevent fatigue
· Helps in healing wounds
Folic Acid
· Reduces incidence of neural tube defects
· Helps enzyme systems to function normally
Vitamin B6
· Helps keep skin healthy
· Helps build tissues
· Assists in brain function
· Helps prevent anemia (low iron levels)
· Helps relieve nausea
Vitamin B12
· Helps enzyme and other biochemical systems
function normally
Calcium
· Helps build bones and teeth
· Helps blood clot
· Helps make muscles react normally
· Delays fatigue and helps tired muscles recover
Iron
· Combines with protein to make hemoglobin,
the red substance in the blood that carries oxygen to the
cells
Riboflavin, Niacin, Thiamin
· Play a central role in the release of energy
from food
· Help the nervous system function properly
· Help keep appetite and digestion normal
Zinc
· Helps many body reactions function normally
· Helps maintain skin integrity
· Supports growth and sexual maturation
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Trust
Stuart Prenatal® for Your Preconception Nutritional Needs
Stuart
Prenatal® is specially balanced for the stages of motherhood:
preconception, pregnancy and lactation. Each daily tablet of Stuart
Prenatal® provides 100% or more of the recommended
daily allowance of many vitamins
and minerals.
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