A record 40% of American women of childbearing age reported taking a daily multivitamin containing folic acid in 2004, up from 32% last year and the highest level since the March of Dimes began surveying women in the 1990s, according to the organization's latest survey, which was published in Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report.
"Frankly, we're surprised at this increase, but it's good news," says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "The increase is especially important because we've been very worried about the effects on mothers and babies of popular low-carbohydrate diets that drastically reduce grain foods enriched with folic acid, such as bread and pasta. However, our survey finds that 49% of women who have been on low-carb diets in the past six months said they actually took a daily multivitamin containing folic acid. So, perhaps these women are taking their vitamins because they realize they're missing out on important food groups."