The Food Doctor prescribes two slices a day

Over recent years, bread has been demonised by the popularity of low-carb diets and fitness fads alike, with the common claim of bloating and weight gain. However, bread has historically been a beneficial carrier of natural nutrition, so to bring women back to bread, leading nutrition brand and consultancy, The Food Doctor, has launched ‘Bread For Women’.

Too frequently, eating fads starve women of the essential nutrients they need to be healthy. Two slices a day of ‘Bread For Women’ provide the essential nutrients for all round female health, including Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Selenium, Vitamin E, Vit B complex, including Vit B12, and Fibre, as a pre-biotic, (see notes to editor for full benefits of the vitamins and minerals provided). These nutrients are commonly recognised as necessary to ward off the incidence of osteoporosis later in life; anaemia; to raise immunity; and improve hormonal health.

Specifically developed to address women’s nutritional needs, ‘Bread For Women’ also provides a convenient way of providing 100% RDA of folic acid in just two slices. The loaf is a UK-first and the inclusion of folic acid is in line with the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) recommendation of mandatory fortification of bread flour with folic acid for general female health and the delivery of healthy babies.

The Food Doctor has partnered with BDF Newlife, as their chosen charity to benefit from all sales of ‘Bread For Women’. BDF Newlife has for 12 years been dedicated to countering birth defects and improving the chances of babies being born healthy. In aid and support of the charity, The Food Doctor has provided corporate sponsorship to BDF Newlife by way of a substantial donation to the charity, as well as a contribution from the sale of each loaf toward this very worthwhile cause. BDF Newlife has campaigned for the mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid, and believes that the FSA’s recommendation, with the support of Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), will help reduce the estimated 700 – 900 pregnancies* per annum affected by neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Since compulsory folic acid fortification was introduced in 1998 in the US and Canada, the number of births affected by neural defects is said to have fallen by 50%.In the UK 47% of women are deficient in folic acid, which leaves them open to a greater incidence of neural birth defects than in countries where folic acid is consumed at the recommended levels.

Sheila Brown OBE, Chief Executive and co-founder of BDF Newlife said: "The fortification of folic acid will make a significant difference in reducing the number of birth defects, as was seen in the US and Canada. Until fortification occurs, following up on Government advice, The Food Doctor has now set the agenda by launching 'Bread For Women' and we hope that this is the start of similar products giving women the clear opportunity to act to prevent conditions, such as spina bifida."

Fertility and pregnancy expert, Zita West, also supports this innovative product; "Building the maternal store of Folic Acid is important when planning for a pregnancy. ’Bread for Women’ provides women with a useful alternative source with which to supplement their everyday diet."

Leading Obstetrician, Patrick O’Brien at University College Hospital London, concurs, stating that: “We have known for some time that deficiency of Folic acid in a woman’s diet increases her risk of having a baby with spina bifida and other neural tube defects. The experience from the US and Canada is clear: fortification of bread flour with Folic acid has led to a marked fall in the number of babies being born with this major disability”. He supports those medical researchers and doctors who have been pushing for fortification of bread and sees this initiative by The Food Doctor as a positive move.

Writing in the Lancet a group of UK doctors have urged the government to proceed with the move towards fortifying flour with folic acid, dismissing any link between folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency or colon cancer, which has been cited in the past, and believe that any minimal risk is far outweighed by the benefits of fortification.

‘Bread For Women’ (RRP £1.19) is available in the bread aisle now at Waitrose, ASDA, Budgens and Booths and will soon be available nationwide.

Folic Acid has been shown as essential for women’s health and also protects against neural tube birth defects. It is critical during conception and important during early pregnancy when it helps to regulate embryonic and foetal nerve cell formation. Nationally there is a serious deficit in folic acid consumption with 47% of women deficient in this Vitamin B complex. RDA is 200mcg per day, and 2 slices of Bread For Women provides 100%, and half that required when pregnant of 400mcg.

Calcium maintains strong bones and healthy teeth. It is also important in the maintenance of a regular heartbeat and in the transmission of nerve impulses. The RDA is given at 800mg so again 2 slices provides 100% of that required. Calcium requirements also rise in pregnancy and breast feeding. It also needs Vit D to metabolise, which is also included in Bread For Women.

Iron prevents iron-deficient anaemia Iron deficiencies can lead to anaemia, brittle hair, digestive disturbances, obesity and long-term illness, and is a major health issue amongst young girls on poor diets and in pregnancy (when the baby takes much of its mother’s iron). 14mg is the RDA so 70% is provided by 2 slices.

Selenium is a vital antioxidant, especially when combined with vitamin E. It protects the immune system by preventing the formation of free radicals that can damage the body’s DNA. Selenium also plays a vital role in regulating the effects of thyroid hormone on fat metabolism. There is no RDA

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, it also improves oxygen utilisation and enhances immune system response. Bread For Women provides 100% RDA in two slices at 10mg.

Vitamin B in all its forms is described as Vit B Complex and this is provided at 60-100% RDA, including Vit B12 at 100%. Vitamin B12 deficiency may be masked by folic acid supplements, so ‘Bread For Women’ covers this issue. B vitamins keep the nervous system, muscles and heart functioning optimally and aid in the health of skin and the digestive tract.

Vitamin C protects the immune system and has a role in brain function and like Vitamin D also helps the absorption of calcium. Both are provided as 100% RDA, per portion.

Fibre helps to lower blood cholesterol and stabilise blood sugar levels. It helps to prevent colon cancer, constipation, haemorrhoids, obesity and many other digestive disorders. Working as a Pre-biotic, fibre may also help in improving mineral absorption and balance and may have anti-osteoporotic activity.

Bread For Women by The Food Doctor

Bread for Women by The Food Doctoris now available in the bread aisle at your local supermarket... Bread ‘For Women’ is available at the bread aisle in Waitrose, Budgens, ASDA and Booths.

This unique, whole wheat, high fibre and great tasting loaf provides a convenient way of delivering the daily vitamins and minerals essential for optimum women’s health in a natural form. Aimed at women 15 – 45 years, the bread includes Calcium, Iron, Selenium, Vitamin E and Vit B complex and in just two slices, 100% RDA of folic acid to assist in maintaining hormonal health and the development of healthy babies.

There is now overwhelming medical evidence that correct levels of folic acid in women conceiving lessens the incidence of neural birth defects. This has been witnessed in countries where adding folic acid fortification to bread has been mandatory for several years and a correlation has been identified against reduced incidence of such defects.

In the UK, after many years of debate and on considering the medical evidence, the Food Standards Agency finally recommended to Government that a similar programme should be adopted. However, concerns expressed by various groups have held up the implementation of such a policy and whilst the evidence has not changed in terms of the target group, there are growing concerns that mandatory fortification could cause as many problems as it solves in the population at large. This has led to The Food Doctor nutrition experts designing a product targeted at the specific people it is most beneficial for.

Why is this bread marketed specifically for women?

The Food Doctor bread ‘For Women’ is designed to supply females from the ages of 15 to 45 with a wide range of nutrients that have been shown to benefit their health. Most significantly, the bread contains 200mcg of folic acid per portion, which has been shown may reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida, anencephaly and encephalocele. A dose of 400mcg folic acid per day is recommended by the FSA for pregnant women or for women who are planning pregnancy. The Food Doctor is therefore supplying 50% of the recommended daily folic acid dose for women who are pregnant and 100% of the recommended daily nutrient intake for women who are not pregnant (200mcg). There are between 700 and 900 pregnancies in the UK that are affected by neural tube defects (NTD’s) each year, not including miscarriages. Folic acid is particularly important during pre-pregnancy and in the very early stages of pregnancy, as the neural tube growth in embryos is particularly intense in these first few weeks. There are also many unplanned pregnancies where the woman only realises she is pregnant after the stages where folic acid is most needed, and since the human body cannot store folic acid it is essential that this vitamin be integrated into the food chain. This is why The Food Doctor is making sure their Bread ‘For Women’ contains the daily recommended amount of folic acid along with other important nutrients and is marketing this bread to a wide range of ages starting from as young as 15. In England this year there have been about 40,000 teenage pregnancies under the age of 18, of which thousands have been unplanned. Women who conceive unexpectedly have a much higher chance of their baby being born healthy if they consume the correct levels of folic acid and the other essential nutrients that The Food Doctor Bread ‘For Women’ provides.


Where does folic acid traditionally come from?

Foods that are naturally rich in folic acid include liver, yeast extract and green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, beans and peas. A diet rich in other B vitamins and in Vitamin C usually contains a high amount of folic acid. However, a large percentage of the UK has a poor diet high in saturated fats, sugars and a modest consumption of fruits and vegetables, which do not provide them with enough of these essential nutrients. Bread has always been a very popular food and traditionally was a good source of such nutrients, however in the modern production process, 50% of the folic acid is lost when the whole wheat is roller milled and bleached. This indicates that it is important to replace the vitamins and minerals that have been removed, so that the British population receive a wider variety of nutrients in their diet.



Why take nutrients in bread rather than in pills?

Nutrients given in the form of pills are designed in much higher doses than the RNI for each. This is due to the fact that nutrients in pills do not readily absorb as well in the body as those from food. This is referred to as their bioavailability. The Food Doctor strongly believes in gaining nutritional value through the food that we eat rather than the pills that we swallow. Bread ‘For Women’ is designed by nutritional experts to ensure the most efficient levels of bioavailability of these essential nutrients, taking into account both their synergistic and antagonistic relationships.



What happens if folic acid is taken in excess?

The main problem with taking folic acid in excess is that it has been shown to mask Vitamin B12 deficiency, especially in the elderly. The Food Doctor is aware of this possible issue and has therefore included 50% of the RNI of Vitamin B12 in the bread, which is useful for all ages.



What evidence is there that indicates bread fortification is successful?

Several countries in the world are now fortifying flour with folic acid along with other vitamins and minerals to reduce the risk of neural defects. In Canada, United States and Chile, the addition of folic acid in food is thought to have reduced neural tube birth defects by up to 50%. Other countries such as New Zealand and Australia are also marketing fortified bread and have witnessed about a 45% fall in births with neural defects.



Will Britain Follow Suit?

Britain consumes around eight million loaves of bread a day, which is already fortified with several essential nutrients (e.g. Iron) and if folic acid was included it could increase the health of the population and cut down birth defects by a significant amount. For those people who do not take supplements or have a poor understanding of what constitutes a nutritious diet, fortifying one of the most popular foods in Britain with nutrients could be a direct way of making the population healthier. In May 2007 Britain’s Food Standards Agency Board agreed unanimously that ‘mandatory fortification’ of flour with folic acid should be introduced. The Government has mainly held back over the years by the fear of Vitamin B12 deficiency issue in the elderly. However if all such fortified foods contained a controlled amount of folic acid, then the prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency could also be limited.



What other benefits does the Bread ‘For Women’ have?

The Food Doctor Bread for Women may not only improve the health of the foetus during pregnancy, it could also help to maintain women’s health in general, giving them a wide variety of vitamins and minerals to keep their body functioning, healthy and active. The added nutrients are designed to work together to try to prevent short and long term ailments in the body. Some of the benefits are:

• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease by the presence of folic acid.

• Reduced prevalence of cancer due to added antioxidants and Vitamin B complex.

• Bones protected by nutrients found in the bread such as Manganese, Calcium and Vitamin D.

• Iron deficient anaemia can be prevented by iron absorption.

• The nervous system sustained by Vitamin E, Magnesium and Vitamin B complex.

• Reduced risk of scurvy by the presence of added Vitamin C.

What quantities of the nutrients are found in the bread?

The nutrient quantities have been carefully chosen by the nutritional experts of The Food Doctor to maintain correct levels of absorption whilst balancing these qualities with the synergistic nature of the nutrients.