Folic Acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make new cells. The CDC urges women to take 400 mcg of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant, to help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.

Every woman needs folic acid every day, whether she is planning to get pregnant or not.  Folic acid helps the skin, hair, and nails stay healthy. 

There are two ways to be sure to get enough folic acid each day:

1. Take a multivitamin that has folic acid in it every day.

2. Eat a bowl of breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily value of folic acid every day.

Source:  www.cdc.gov

Submitted by Lisa Bohrer, RN, BC, Community Health and Wellness Manager for The PharmaCare Network.

15 Minute Black Bean Salad

In need of the perfect side dish for your weekend gathering or get-together? 15 Minute Black Bean Salad is quick, easy, and healthful!

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1/2 cup minced onion

2 medium cloves garlic pressed

2 cups black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup frozen corn, thawed

8 cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

 2 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and serve. This salad will keep for a couple of days and gets more flavorful if you let it marinate in the refrigerator.

Recipe submitted by Lisa Bohrer, RN, BC, Community Health and Wellness Manager

High Blood Pressure In Women

Many people mistakenly believe that high blood pressure is more common among men. The truth is nearly half of all adults with high blood pressure are women. Having high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but it raises the risk of stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. It is a “silent killer”.  No one knows exactly what causes most cases of high blood pressure. It usually can’t be cured, but it can be managed. Not treating high blood pressure is dangerous.

Groups at risk for high blood pressure include:

· African Americans

· People over age 35

· Overweight people

· Inactive people

· People who eat too much salt

· People who drink too much alcohol

· People with diabetes, gout, or kidney disease

· Pregnant women

· Women who take birth control pills and who are overweight, have had high blood pressure during pregnancy, have a history of high blood pressure, or have mild kidney disease

*Submitted by Lisa Bohrer, RN, BC, Community Health and Wellness Manager for The PharmaCare Network.