Content about Folic acid

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The March of Dimes is launching a campaign to encourage expectant mothers to take folic acid to prevent birth defects, the group said Friday.

The group announced national Folic Acid Awareness Week, reminding pregnant women to take vitamin B. The vitamin is known to prevent birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly, collectively known as neural tube defects. NTDs occur in the first few weeks following conception, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Premama recently launched its patent-pending prenatal supplement in drink form. The flavorless Premama mix can be added to flavored drinks and foods.

The supplement mix contains six calories per serving. The key ingredients include biotin, B vitamins, omega-3, iron, CoQ-10, choline, ginger root and folic acid. In addition to supporting health during pregnancy, the ginger root helps with nausea relief, the company stated.

A one-month supply retails for $25 on the company's website.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Wednesday released its comprehensive report titled "The Benefits of Nutritional Supplements (4th Edition)." The updated book, which assesses the current state of the science on the health benefits associated with select nutritional supplements, finds consistent and adequate use of these products contributes to overall health and wellness throughout all age groups, lifestyles and life stages.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday issued sharp criticism in response to the study, "Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women," published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, a publication of the American Medical Association.

The study listed a broad range of supplements — multivitamins, folic acid, iron and copper, among others — that appear to be associated with an increased risk of death in older women. The article is part of the journal’s "Less Is More" series.


Findings from the past year show that vitamin sales have been stronger than most other health and beauty categories. The recent emphasis placed by vitamin and nutritional supplement manufacturers on new multivitamin brands has delivered positive results. SymphonyIRI Group reported that, in the 24 weeks ended May 15, multivitamins outperformed the total vitamin category. 


MIAMI — A dietary supplement that is designed to alleviate the symptoms of an enlarged prostate has arrived at GNC.

Urinozinc prostate formula now is available at all corporate-owned GNC Live Well stores and at select GNC franchise stores, the company said. Product ingredients for Urinozinc include saw palmetto extract, pumpkin seed, zinc, pygeum africanum, lycopene, magnesium, selenium, folic acid and vitamins B6, B12 and E.

Urinozinc currently is available for purchase at such retail locations as Bi-Lo, Duane Reade, H-E-B, Publix, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday announced it is working with the March of Dimes and television personality Vanessa Minnillo on a public health message to help educate all women of reproductive age about the importance of folate and folic acid through a national educational campaign called Girlfriends for Folate.

DailyCandy.com also has committed to engaging its extensive membership of women to help spread the word about daily folate supplementation, Bayer said.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Upsher-Smith has amplified its Nexa prenatal vitamin line with the launch of Nexa Select Rx.

NEW YORK Eboost on Thursday launched its super berry liquid shot, formulated with a host of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including vitamins C, D, B6 and B12, folic acid, niacin, selenium, chromium, zinc and green tea. The 15-calorie beverage also is formulated with nutrient-rich superfruits, including pure extracts of blueberry, blackberry, pomegranate, mango, acai, maqui berry and grapeseed.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. Hero Nutritional Products on Tuesday announced the launch of "Clifford, The Big Red Dog" gummy vitamins for children.