Nancy Dell: Folate may reduce autism; Are "cleanses" safe?

 

 

1. I am planning to get pregnant.  Are there foods I should eat to minimize the risk of my child being Autistic?  Sophie, Internet

In the early stages of life, the B -vitamin folate is critical for proper brain development. 

According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last week, eating at least 600 micrograms of folic acid a day in the first month of pregnancy reduced the risk of autism or Asperger's, 38 percent. 

 

Foods high in Folate

Legumes

Spinach

Asparagus

Sunflower Seeds

Whole Grains

 

Good sources of folate include Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, black beans and kidney beans, spinach, asparagus, sunflower seeds and whole grains.

Folic acid is the synthetic form of the B-vitamin folate and has been added to breakfast cereals and other grains in the United States since 1998 because deficiencies in pregnancy can increase the risk of spine and brain defects in babies.

Since most women do not even know that they are pregnant in the first month and many pregnancies are unplanned, experts recommend all women of child-bearing age take a supplement with at least 400 mcg of folate.

2.  I am thinking of doing a "cleanse".  Is it safe?  Emily, Internet 

For anyone looking to do a cleanse, there are many options from juice fasts, water fasts, and lemonade diets.

Most will not be harmful for a couple of days but experts say doing them for longer can deprive your body of the nutrients it needs to function and loss of muscle.

Plus, our bodies are equipped to detox themselves. Our liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract are designed to clear toxins out of the body. If you eat junk food and sugar, certainly you will feel better and look better if you cut it out.

So you may not need to purchase a formal cleansing program.  Just "eating clean" including lean proteins and lots of colorful produce will help you feel better.