One of the constituents of the vitamin B complex, folic acid derives its name from the fact that it is found in many green leaves, including spinach and grass. It has also been obtained from liver, kidney and yeasts. It has proved to be of value in the treatment of macrocytic anaemias (see ANAEMIA), particularly those associated with SPRUE and nutritional de?ciencies.

In order to prevent NEURAL TUBE defects and cleft lip or palate (see CLEFT PALATE), all women planning to become pregnant should be advised to have a diet rich in folic acid in the months before conception until 13 weeks’ gestation, or to take folic acid tablets.

Recent research has suggested that adequate levels of folic acid can prevent the build-up of homocysteine, a compound in the blood closely associated with heart attacks and strokes. It has been suggested that the o?cial recommendation of 200 micrograms a day in the diet should be doubled. (See APPENDIX 5: VITAMINS.)... folic acid

5-week pregnancy

"Pregnancy calendar" at week 5: Your baby's brain is developing. You may feel fears about pregnancy and birth during this period. These emotional fluctuations are normal, do not worry at all!

Baby for 5 weeks gestation

Your baby, between 1 and 2.5 mm, is a small orange seed.

Installation ready

The placenta and the umbilical cord that begins to form have begun to work to transfer the necessary nutrients from your body to the body of the baby. Oxygen, amino acids, fats and sugars all play a critical role in a healthy development.

Some basics

Some of Baby's cells turn into a nerve pathway that will form the backbone and brain. An incorrectly formed nerve pathway can lead to a complication called "discrete spine", a condition in which the spinal cord is not completely closed. Your best weapon against spinal cord birth defects is to take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

Heart start

The heart is now a single tube with a few irregular shots. With each passing week these shots will become more regular.

Your 5th week pregnancy

Emotional ocean

You may be very happy because you are pregnant, worried about everything being normal, fearful about birth, or not being sure of yourself as a mothers of mothers. Do not worry about it! All of these feelings are completely normal. By weekly calculation of pregnancy and birth calculation, keep your head busy dreaming about the birth of your baby.

Careful maintenance

At this stage of the pregnancy period, menstrual cramps and back pain are common. Take a break by taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music or taking a nap. Watch your food and if you have not done so, stop smoking, drinking alcohol or taking medication. All of this is harmful to your baby.... pregnancy calendar - week 5 of your pregnancy

Each passing year sees encapsulated herbal powders gaining in popularity. Arkopharm Laboratories, leaders in the field, are located at Nice on the French Riviera, and offer a wide range of powders in capsules (Arkocaps) under the authority of a highly qualified team of pharmacists, chemists and doctors.

After the usual stringent tests of raw material on receipt from the suppliers, plants are pulverised and sieved until granulometry is down to 300 micrograms. This size particle ensures a good digestive assimilation without damaging the plant cells. Such material is then subjected to another series of quality control tests for proper potency, purity and cleanliness. This is followed by a further examination for bacteriological cleanliness before shipment. Arkopharma: Head Office: BP 28 06511 Carros (Nice) France. Marketed in the UK by Arkopharma (UK) Ltd. ... arkopharma

Ingredients: Aloes 42mg; Anise oil 200 micrograms; Capsicum oleoresin 100 micrograms (mcg); Ginger oleoresin 400mcg; Juniper oil 700mcg; light magnesium carbonate 2-5mg; Soap (hard) 9.7mg; Rosemary oil 700mcg; Ginger 20.3mcg; Coriander 4.4mg. (Beecham Proprietaries) ... beecham’s pills

Pollution of the blood and tissues by environmental poisons and traces of chemicals is a source of chronic disease. The most common toxic metals are lead, aluminium, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in that order. Copper is also toxic but is essential in small amounts.

Lead disrupts neurotransmitters in the brain and disposes to nervous excitability, aggression and hyperactivity. Aluminium is associated with senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, accumulating in the brain. Cadmium induces changes in behaviour with reduced mental ability. Mercury is present in the amalgam used in dental surgery as part-filling for teeth. Arsenical poisoning may occur in food contamination or paints.

An internal chelating or cleansing of tissues of the lungs, urinary system, blood and lymph may be assisted by a combination of relative expectorants, diuretics, hepatics and adaptogens among which are: Barberry, Blue Flag root, Chaparral, Burdock, Echinacea, Red Clover, Yellow Dock. To bind with metals and assist their passage through the intestinal canal to the outside of the body: Irish Moss, Iceland Moss or Slippery Elm. Garlic.

The Medicines Control Agency of the Ministry of Health (UK) has given consideration to the content of heavy metal impurities and rules that a limit of 75 micrograms of total heavy metals shall be the acceptable maximum daily intake.

Licence-holders are required to carry out tests on all incoming material. Some seaweeds may be heavily polluted with mercury, arsenic and radioactive particles as a result of micro-biological contamination. The MCA requires Bladderwrack and other seaweeds to contain minimum levels. ... heavy metal toxicity