Folic Acid is Closely Related to Autism in California
Autism in California is on a rise. In a new study in California it has been found out that women suffering from scarcity of folic acid during pregnancy are more prone to giving birth to autistic children. Folic acid is required in adequate measures during early pregnancy so that the kids can grow properly. Folic acid can be derived from food and supplements. At least 600 micrograms of folic acid on a regular basis for the first month can reduce the chance of children being affected with autism. This was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by researchers.
Folic acid is basically a synthetic form of vitamin B folate. This particular element is added in cereals and other multi grains in the food products in United States so that women do not suffer from deficiency in folic acid during their pregnancy. This has been the practice since 1998 when it was first time proved that women suffering from such deficiency give birth to children which have defective spine and brain development. Folate is essential in brain development and most of the development happens in the first one year. Hence, it is important to supply products which are essential during the first months of pregnancy and the first year of childbirth. However, questions have still remained whether the lack of vitamin or problem in processing it increases the chance of mental retardation and developmental disorders.
Again some other researchers are of the opinion that higher levels of folic acid might be the cause for autism in children. According to Rebecca Schmidt the lead author for the new study from University of California, autism spectrum disorders have increased in US at an alarming rate. The role of folic acid is extremely important in this. Every research is indicating that folic acid plays a major role and the importance of that role and the degree to which it affects the brain development in children is still a little controversial. The fact that Autism in California has increased in leaps and bounds in the last few years have triggered so many researches.
Schmidt and her colleagues had conducted the research on 429 preschoolers suffering from autism spectrum disorders and 278 kids with normal development. The research was mainly done about the diet and supplements taken by the mothers during and before pregnancy. Using that information daily folic acid intake was calculated for those pregnant women each month. The research proved that mothers who had adequate amount of folic acid during their pregnancy gave birth to healthy babies than mothers who did not have adequate amount of folic acid.
The difference was made in the first month when women who had normally developing babies recalled having at least 700+ micrograms of folic acid per day through their food and supplements. Therefore, the link between autism and folic acid is inversely proportional. Pregnant women are recommended to have adequate amount of folic acid during the first month of pregnancy.
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