Study: As gas prices go up, auto deaths drop (AP)

AP - High gas prices could turn out to be a lifesaver for some drivers. The authors of a new study say gas prices are causing driving declines that could result in a third fewer auto deaths annually, with the most dramatic drop likely to be among teen drivers.

Hi everyone

Most of us that are of the female sex and mothers are aware that folic acid, or as it is also known - Vitamin B9, Folate, Folacin or Pteroylglutamic acid is important during pregnancy, although it is an essential vitamin for everyone.

Folic acid was named after the Latin word folium meaning leaf, as scientists first isolated it from green leafy vegetables, and in the 1930's was identified in helping to prevent low blood cell levels - anaemia.

Natural foods that contain folic acid include citrus fruits, strawberries, leafy green vegetables, dried peas, beans and nuts. Also some breads and cereals are enriched with it

So by eating a varied diet of good food for good health we can all attain a healthy balance of essential vitamins including folic acid.

Folate - being a water-soluble vitamin is needed in your diet every day, as the body cannot store it, and is easily attainable by eating a well balanced diet.

The amount of folic acid recommended varies greatly in different countries but generally 0.2mcg - 200 micrograms for an adult, increasing to 400 mcg for pregnant women or women thinking of having a baby.

Folate acid is destroyed or greatly reduced in overcooked foods, so lightly cooked or steamed vegetables are best. Salad is a good option.

Sources for folic acid- micrograms glycocyamine supplement nutrition 100 grams /3.5 oz

Dark green leafy vegetables 120 - 160 mcg

Other vegetables 40 - 100 mcg

Beans - legumes 50 - 300 mcg

Breakfast cereals 100 - 400 mcg

Whole grains 60 - 120 mcg

A medium orange has 45mcg, a large boiled egg - 22mcg,

Large jacket potato - 39 mcg, 10 brussels sprouts - 115 mcg,

4 spears asparagus boiled or steamed 88 mcg,

2 spears steamed broccoli - 61 mcg,

1oz / 25g wheat germ - 100 mcg,

7 tablespoons bran flakes - 113 mcg,

One of folates most important functions is that it works in conjunction with vitamin B12 and together form healthy red blood cells.

Signs of folate-deficiency anaemia have symptoms very similar to iron deficiency anaemia, and leave you felling fatigued and weak. A lack of folate can also leave you edgy and grumpy.

Scientists agree that folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects - serious birth defects, and say that all women of childbearing age should take it and not just whilst pregnant, as this is often to late to prevent these defects.

Spina bifida and anencephaly are among the most serious defects that folic acid can prevent and reduce the risk by up to 70 per cent.

Anencephaly is a condition resulting from the baby's brain not developing properly and most or all of the brain tissue is missing, this can often cause stillbirth or death soon after delivery.

Spina bifida occurs when the spinal column of the fetus does not close, this should happen during the first few weeks of pregnancy to protect the spinal cord, resulting in neurological problems and or other deformities

Studies carried out in the 1960's and 1970's between folic acid and cancer connections found that cells from the cervix in women with folate deficiency looked similar to cervix cells showing early signs of cancer, and so suspected a link.

Later by the 1990's studies found that people were more likely to develop certain cancers when lower blood levels of folic acid were present, such as colorectal and cervical.

It is not exactly clear how folic acid might affect cancer, but it is needed to help cells make and repair DNA when they divide creating new cells, also it is thought to be involved in how cells are able to tune certain genes on and off.

Scientists think that low levels can amount to changes in chemicals that affect DNA, maybe altering how well cells can repair or divide without making mistakes, which might lead to cancer.

There is promising evidence but not conclusive that folic acid can help prevent cancer, and that it may also depend on when it is taken.

Some researchers are concerned that this may be harmful in people that have pre-cancerous conditions or who already have cancer.

Recently folic acid is also thought to help stave off dementia in the elderly as doctors found those with low levels of folate in the blood face triple the risk of Alzheimer's developing. People who had high levels were found to have the least risk of mental deterioration.

Higher blood folate levels also suggests it may well ward off strokes and heart disease, and has been shown to reduce levels of an amino acid - homocysteine, as high levels of this has been linked with Alzheimer's.

So for the elderly it is important that they eat a diet that is folate rich or take supplements. The safe upper level of folic acid is 1,000 micrograms.

A well-balanced varied diet of good food good health is essential for all of us and improves our immune system, which affects our well being, at any age and all stages of our lives.

Sandra & Ted

This article was composed by Sandra & Ted Wosko. We have always been interested in health issues especially having children, and as with most people, we all suffer with some type of ailment. We are always researching on more and more topics in the endless task of gaining more knowledge to increase our expertise, benefiting ourselves and other people alike.

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