Gruma, a Mexican food producer that is a major supplier of corn flour (sold under the Maseca brand) and corn tortillas (sold under the Mission Foods brand) to U.S. stores, has agreed to fortify the products with folic acid. Scientists and advocacy groups hope that the move will decrease serious birth defects among Hispanics.
“As I wrote in an earlier column (Your Health, June 19), scientists have known for years that adequate folic acid intake can reduce the risk of neural tube defects ”” including spina bifida ”” by 50% to 70%. But rates haven’t dropped as much as hoped, despite the heavy promotion of supplements and the addition of folic acid to enriched bread, cereal and other grain products made in the USA. Rates remain especially high among Hispanics, and some scientists think dietary differences ”” including the use of unfortified, imported corn products ”” may play a role.”
SOURCE: in English / Fuente en Ingles
FUENTE TRADUCIDO: Usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish
Please note some sites require registration. Many times it is free.
Posted on:
July 24th, 2006
FUENTE TRADUCIDO: Usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish
Please note some sites require registration. Many times it is free.
Curation from Tomás
Filed Under: 1. Hispanic News, Health
Comments
