Folic Acid Helps Prevents Wide Range Of Diseases
Plymouth MN, 10 October 2002

Physicians have long recognized folic acid as a beneficial therapy for the prevention of birth defects. More recently, research suggests that folic acid may be beneficial for patients with depression, arthritis, alcoholism, Crohn's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, vascular disease and other chronic illnesses.

Overall, folic acid is one of the most versatile and affordable general health therapies available today. Studies indicate that folic acid may provide a multitude of benefits ranging from reduced risk of colon and other cancers to correcting folate deficiencies caused by alcoholism.

The US Public Health Service recommends that all 60 million women of childbearing age in the United States get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day -- an amount that effectively reduces the incidence of neural tube birth defects by 70 percent. While most dietary supplements contain the recommended daily allowance of 400mcg, many physicians are now recommending higher amounts of folic acid for certain patient populations, including those with kidney or vascular disease, and for high-risk pregnancies.

"Folic acid has a diverse range of uses and Upsher-Smith is pleased to offer both dietary supplement and prescription-strength options to physicians, pharmacists and consumers," says Phill Dritsas, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Upsher-Smith.

Founded in 1919, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. manufactures and markets prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements, and affordably-priced alternatives to existing drugs.

Source

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. (www.upsher-smith.com) via PR Newswire.