PART VII: Abstracts for oral presentations

Title: Folic Acid and Public Health

Author(s): Eid Brima

Address: University of Nottingham, UK

Reference: First Sudanese Diaspora International Conference - 2009 pp. 210 - 210

Abstract/Summary: This presentation demonstrates the analytical methods used in the measurement of folic acid in human blood. The talk describes advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Folic acid is very important for human health. Specifically, newborn babies and pregnant women are the most important groups influenced by the folic acid intake. The recommended daily intake as follows: 400 μg for women plus 19 year of age; 500 μg and 600 μg for breast feeding and pregnant women, respectively. There are two sources of folate compounds: nature source: leafy vegetables, fruit, whole grain and liver⁄etc. The synthetic sources are folic acid in fortified foods such as: breakfast cereals, breads, low fat spreads⁄etc. Folate compounds have profound association with human health. Different studies were demonstrated that folic acid is involved in red and white blood cells production, DNA and RNA production and normal development of the fetus in pregnant women. The deficiency of folic acid results in increased risk of certain cancers, megaloblastic anaemia, Down syndrome and neural tube defects (NTD). The conclusion of the presentation will provide the importance of folate profiling in human plasma and red blood cell.

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