Nutrition should be the first priority for all pregnant women as well as breastfeeding moms. They need all the right nutrients to stay healthy and to have a healthy baby. Here is a list of vitamins and minerals and why you need to add them to your diet.
Vitamin A/Retinol
vitamin A is important for foetal growth and development. It plays a vital role in immune function as well as visual health.
Vitamin B1/Thiamine
it plays a role in converting carbohydrates into energy for both mother and baby. It also helps with the normal functioning of the heart, the nervous system, and the muscles. It mostly plays a big role in the baby’s brain development.
Vitamin B2/Riboflavin
preeclampsia is known to be the common cause of pre-term birth so research has shown that vitamin B2 can reduce the risk of getting preeclampsia. You need it to keep your skin glowing and for healthy eyes.
Vitamin B3/Niacin
it is also important for the baby’s brain development. It improves the mother’s digestion and nutrient metabolism.
Vitamin B5/Pantothenic acid
vitamin B5 helps to ease the leg cramps and it will metabolize carbohydrates, fats and protein.
Vitamin B6/Pyridoxine
it is important for the baby’s nervous system and brain development.
Vitamin B7/Biotin
it is vital for embryonic growth during your pregnancy and generates energy from what you consume. It will assist if you suffer hair loss, skin rashes, or brittle nails.
Vitamin B12/Cobalamin
it maintains both the mother and baby’s nervous system and spine.
Vitamin C/Ascorbic acid
it is a strong antioxidant that helps with the production and functioning of white blood cells. The white blood cells fight against diseases protecting the immune system.
Vitamin D/Calciferol
for strong healthy bones, teeth and muscles, it regulates the phosphate and calcium in our body.
Vitamin E/Tocopherol
it plays a major role in pregnancy by protecting body cells from harmful radicals.
Calcium
it helps breastfeeding moms who do not produce enough milk. In both pregnancy and breastfeeding, it will help the baby with healthy bone formation and in mothers, it promotes bone retention.
Copper
it helps to form the baby’s skeletal, blood vessels, heart, and nervous system. Blood supply doubles during pregnancy so copper is needed during this time to form the red blood cells.
Folic acid/Vitamin B9
I believe folic acid is the number 1 well-known vitamin associated with pregnancy to prevent birth defects. Most women start taking it when they plan to conceive because neural tube defects develop within a month after conception and at that time majority of women don’t even know they are pregnant yet. Folic acid will lower the risks of birth defects by at least 50%. The risk can be reduced by up to 70% if you already have the baby.
Iron
you and your baby will experience constant tiredness if you lack iron. Iron is essential for the production of haemoglobin which works in the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues.
Inositol
inositol plays a role in various bodily processes including improvement of fertility in women with PCOS. During pregnancy, it has been shown to decrease the risk of gestational diabetes and miscarriage.
Magnesium
this mineral is needed to help prevent premature labour. Lack of magnesium may also increase the risk of chronic hypertension during pregnancy.
Manganese
helps with bone and cartilage formation.
Potassium
potassium helps to maintain the balance of fluids and electrolytes in our body cells.
Selenium
selenium protects the body from infection and plays a vital role in the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. It reduces the risk of having postpartum thyroid dysfunction when taken during and after pregnancy. It further plays a vital role in DNA production.
Zinc
zinc maintains the balance of hormones, boosts the production & function of DNA as well as foetal cell growth.
Please note that vitamins and minerals deficiency can cause birth defects that can make your baby permanently disabled and it can be fatal as well. Take precautions, talk to your doctor and stay healthy for you and your baby.
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