Deficiency of this vitamin has been linked to birth defects of the brain and spine, as concluded by past research. The results of this research brought out the need for breads and cereals fortified with folic acid, an artificial version of "folate," the natural vitamin B, to be included in diets, especially during pregnancy.
In a national study made between the years 1999 and 2004, an
18-percent decline was noted in this B vitamin. Half of the percentage among the 4,500 women studied was in child-bearing years.
Low-carb dieting is one possible cause of this vitamin deficiency, because of decreased consumption of fortified bread and cereals. Results published in the May 18, 2004 edition of "Annals of Internal Medicine" included the findings that low-carb dieting is best done on a short-term basis.
But researchers state that obesity may be a factor as well. Because folate is metabolized differently in people who are obese, it is believed their bodies need a higher-than-average amount of the B vitamin.
