Folic acid

[jbailey]

Going to a party where the host is an obstetrician makes for some interesting conversations.

I learned last night that the reason flour is all enriched in Canada is because the government required that folate be added to the flour. Apparently the reason we don't have more births with neural tube defects is because everyone eats Cheerios for breakfast, and the 40% of pregnancies that are unintended have a base of folic acid in their system already.

I know that the US has these types of things as well, but coming from a place where it seems like everyone loudly wants the government to get out of the way to a place where good government is something we explicitly value is one of the many reasons I'm happy to be home.

Comments

[murrquan.livejournal.com]

That does seem to be the biggest difference between Canada and the United States that I've noticed!

[sara-c.livejournal.com]

sigh. Not everyone. Where I live the water isn't even fluoridated because people resent the government intrusion. In oregon! And then we have one of the highest rates of poor dental health in the nation.