According to ViaHealth, a health services company, because up to 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned, eating an adequate amount of folic acid before pregnancy is crucial. The site said two-thirds of women in this country do not consume enough folic acid.
Folic acid has also recently been linked to the prevention of colon cancer, heart disease and dementia in both men and women. A deficiency in folate can lead to severe anemia.
Folic acid is found primarily in leafy, dark green vegetables, citrus fruits, legumes and enriched breakfast cereals.
A large glass of orange juice and a bowl of fortified cereal for breakfast provide 50 to 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance of folic acid.
In the spring, SHB was closely involved with March of Dimes WalkAmerica, and plans to do the same next year.