How amazing is it that a human body can create another human being? Absolutely perfect, with its own unique personality, beauty, and magnificence!
How fortunate too are we to be living in an era where science has advanced to a point where pregnant moms can take absolute care of themselves and their developing babies through supplementing their diets?
We all know that great nutrition is derived from a perfectly healthy diet, but we know too that great healthy food is not always available to everyone. Pregnancy increases the body’s needs for certain vitamins and minerals, but it can be difficult to support these nutritional needs through diet alone. The nutrient intake of pregnant moms needs to support both moms health and that of her baby, through:
- Aiding cell division and tissue growth
- Healthy formation of the placenta
- The development of baby’s brain, organs, and bones
- Enhancing blood supply
The diet supplement market is so saturated with products, how do you as a pregnant mother, know what you should and shouldn’t be taking? Understanding the science behind prenatal supplements, can go a long way to helping you make the best choice that will benefit not only you and your health, but the health of your unborn baby too.
Prenatal supplements have been developed based on nutrition science, developmental biology, and the scientific study of how and why diseases and health conditions occur in populations (epidemiology). The studies have all focused on the healthy development of baby as well as maintaining the health of mothers during pregnancy.
Essential minerals are vital for human health, and during pregnancy. They are even more critical to support maternal health and infant development. If not supplemented, the levels of many essential minerals decrease during pregnancy, including calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, as well as chromium and iodine. Low levels of minerals are associated with a wide range of maternal and infant health problems worldwide, and appropriate supplementation may help reduce the risk of many maternal and infant health complications.
Key Nutrients and their Scientific Roles
Chromium
Chromium is recommended to help control blood sugar levels. Low levels of chromium have shown to be associated with diabetes, which may potentially increase the risk of gestational diabetes.
Iodine
Low iodine is strongly associated with iodine deficiency disorders, including hypothyroidism in mothers and infants and intellectual disability in infants. Iodine supplementation is strongly recommended for pregnant women to help decrease the rate of hypothyroidism and intellectual impairment for baby, as well as impaired cognitive function of infants.
Calcium
Calcium is necessary for strong bone and tooth formation. It is also vital for the well-being of mom, to help the deterioration of her bones. Calcium is a strong contributor to nerve cell communication and normal muscle function. For mom, it not only supports bone health, but is also a factor in the maintenance of good health.
Magnesium
Blood levels of magnesium decrease significantly during pregnancy. Magnesium is vital for baby’s development, contributing to strong bone and teeth formation. It also contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system, normal electrolyte balance and tissue formation. It contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal psychological function and helps to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for bone growth and immune function. Supplementing with additional vitamin D during pregnancy contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function. It also contributes to the normal function of the immune system, helps in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth and contributes to normal cell division. Vitamin D helps in the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorous and contributes to normal blood calcium levels. It is a factor in the maintenance of good health.
Active Folate
Folate is important for the metabolism of several amino acids. It is essential for normal cell growth and replication. Folate supplementation during pregnancy is proven to reduce the risk of neural tube disorders.
Active folate is the body’s usable form of folate which is ideal for those who have difficulty in metabolising synthetic folic acid. It supports red blood cell formation, vital during pregnancy and is readily absorbed by the body.
Iron
Iron is important and necessary for the production of red blood cells as well as the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. During pregnancy, more blood is produced to facilitate the growth of baby. This means that more iron is required to ensure that mom doesn’t feel tired (a sign that iron levels are low). Iron also contributes to normal cognitive function.
Many women start their pregnancy with low iron levels, and iron levels decrease further during pregnancy, especially mid-trimester, because of the production of new red blood cells for the placenta and baby.
Zinc
Zinc is important for immune function of the body and particularly necessary for mom and baby during pregnancy. Maintaining healthy zinc levels is vital for a healthy pregnancy.
Taking zinc supplements during pregnancy, helps in connective tissue formation. It contributes to the maintenance of normal healthy skin, normal acid-base metabolism, and helps the body to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It contributes to normal cognitive function, normal DNA synthesis and is a factor in the maintenance of good health. It contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and metabolism of vitamin A, as well as the maintenance of normal nails, bones and hair.
Selenium
Selenium has many functions in the body and has been shown to help reduce hypothyroidism. It has been found that selenium stores in the body are depleted throughout pregnancy, with most depletion occurring at the end of pregnancy.
Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and is an oxidant for the maintenance of good health. It contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, nails and the normal function of the immune system. Selenium also contributes to normal thyroid function.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important water-soluble antioxidant, and is a co-factor for many enzymatic reactions, including the production of collagen, carnitine, and neuropeptides.
During pregnancy, vitamin C is important in contributing to cell protection from free radical damage. It contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage and blood vessels and helps maintain strong bones and teeth. Vitamin C is a factor in the maintenance of good health and contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 plays a huge role in the development of baby’s bones and teeth. It assists mom in absorbing calcium, contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function, normal function of the immune system and has a high role in the process of cell division.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important for visual health, immune function and baby’s growth and development. The risk for Vitamin A deficiency is at its highest during the third trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the accelerated growth of baby as well as the increase in the production of blood.
Vitamin A is important for baby’s growth, whilst it assists in maintaining mom’s immune system and vision.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are a class of water-soluble vitamins that play a vital role in the synthesis of red blood cells and the metabolism of cells.
B vitamins are vital to help:
- Improving photoreceptor functioning with normal vision
- Energy production and development of the nervous system, digestive system and skin
- Production of important neurotransmitters and hormones
- Metabolism of several amino acids
- Normal cell growth and replication
- Formulation of red blood cells and cellular metabolism
Copper
Copper contributes to normal iron transport and metabolism. It helps to repair connective tissue, form red blood cells and the overall maintenance of good health for both mom and baby.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is vital for pregnant moms as it helps to activate the enzymes necessary for the metabolism of toxins and the breaking down of amino acids. It also helps the body metabolise proteins and is a factor in the maintenance of good health.
Omega 3 Fish Oils
Omega 3 fish oils aids in the function of baby’s brain and eyes.
The Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement
A comprehensive multivitamin is highly recommended for moms to take before, during and after delivery as they offer essential vitamins, minerals (like chromium, iodine, active folate, iron, and calcium), and Omega-3s (DHA & EPA) for mom and baby’s health.
It is important to note that from a scientific perspective, prenatal supplements have been developed so that they can complement a balanced diet rich in whole foods, rather than be seen as a replacement. If ever you are in doubt, please do consult your doctor.
Please note: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any supplements during pregnancy.
References available upon request from Parenting Hub.
This article was sponsored by iNova Pharmaceuticals. The views and content are that of Parenting Hub and not necessarily of iNova Pharmaceuticals.
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