14 DAY TRIAL // VitaPath Genetics, the Spina Bifida Association and the National Council on Folic Acid have teamed up to announce the launch of VitaTrack Folate Tracker, a free iOS app which allows women to track their daily intake of folate and folic acid, in order to reduce the risk of serious birth defects like Spina Bifida.
According to the three companies’ official announcement, maintaining an adequate level of folic acid prior to and during pregnancy is vital in reducing the risk of serious birth defects. In the case of defects lik Spina Bifida, a tool like VitaTrack Folate Tracker can reduce this risk by up to 70%, the report states. Folic acid may also help prevent congenital heart disease, pre-term labor, and cleft lip and palate, the trio said, citing recent studies.
“Spina Bifida remains the most commonly occurring, permanently disabling birth defect in this country,” says Cindy Brownstein, President and CEO of the Spina Bifida Association. “Very little is known about its cause, but we are fortunate that research has shown that the risk can be reduced through the daily intake of folic acid and a diet rich in folate. Tools such as this application can help to maximize this risk reduction.”
“Daily intake of folate and folic acid can help in many ways—most notably in the reduction of neural tube birth defects like Spina Bifida,” reflect Norma Ryan and Connie Motter, Co-Chairs of the National Council of Folic Acid. “The National Council on Folic Acid encourages every woman of childbearing age to take advantage of this valuable knowledge and tools such as the VitaTrack application to ensure she is receiving the necessary amounts of this vital nutrient.”
“This application is a great way for women who are considering pregnancy to assess whether or not they are getting an adequate level of folate in their diet,” said Lee Kao, MD, PhD, a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist and a Reproductive Endocrinology Infertility specialist in practice at Laurel Fertility Care in San Francisco. “In many cases, women will discover that they are far below their recommended intake and should consult their doctor about folic acid supplementation before becoming pregnant.”
Available for free download through Apple’s iTunes App Store, VitaTrack supports iPhone, iPod touch and iPad and requires iOS 3.0 or later.