Possible Folic Acid Down’s Syndrome Link
by Dr. Lynn Tan, N.D.
Down’s Syndrome or Mongolism is characterized by mental retardation, stunted growth, a small skull, coarse and scanty hair, a flat face with a depressed bridge of the nose, and short, thick hands and feet. Mongolism is so named because there is a lateral upward slope to the eyes somewhat similar to that of Asian races.
Down’s Syndrome is the most common genetic disorder, afflicting one out of every 700 babies. It is usually associated with a defect of the chromosomes. Down’s Syndrome is a complex condition. It seems to be caused by multiple factors. Recent scientific studies indicate that the chromosomal defect responsible for Down’s Syndrome may be transmitted by the father or the mother.
It is generally said that mothers over the age of 35, have a high chance of giving birth to a baby with Down’s Syndrome.
However, most babies with Down’s Syndrome are found to be born
to mothers under the age 30! How erroneous it is to pinpoint the age of the mother (above 35) as a high risk factor. This causes unnecessary fear to pregnant mothers over 35.
Even worse is the recommendation of amniocentesis, a procedure which may give an indication of Down’s Syndrome, and may, in turn, lead to a decision by the parents to abort the baby.
Recently, researchers have discovered that
mothers of children with Down’s Syndrome seem to
have trouble processing folic acid. Scientists found that
more of the mothers of Down’s
Syndrome babies had a genetic
change in an enzyme involved in the body’s metabolism of folic acid.
Folic acid is found naturally in green leafy vegetables and other foods. For many years, researchers have known that raising folic acid levels in women before conception lowers neural tube defects, which are serious and often fatal by 50-70%. Folic acid in a woman’s diet helps to normalise the body’s metabolism of nutrients and thus, significantly reducing the occurrence of neural tube defects. Starting in 1998, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. A., required manufacturers to fortify grain products with folic acid in order to reducing neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
In a recent news report from Washington, the FDA, U.S.A., published the results of their study on the possible folic acid – Down’s Syndrome link. This is a promising step towards better understanding Down’s Syndrome.
The message here is loud and clear. Refining of grain, that is, turning wholemeal flour to white flour and polishing brown rice to white rice, etc, is a foolish act of man trying to improve upon food created by God. Refining of grain removes vital vitamins, minerals, and fibers that are essential building blocks for our bodies. Eating refined, processed and over-cooked foods are the real culprits behind the cause of Down’s Syndrome. It has nothing to do with the age of the mother. If the mother is healthy, free from toxins, and eats lots of raw vegetables and drinks green juices, there is no risk in her giving birth to a Down’s Syndrome child, no matter how old she is.
An important point to note is the following: The need of the body for folic acid is greatest in the first few weeks of the baby’s life; thus, mothers are advised to maintain healthy and well nourished bodies before the conception of their babies.
