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It is estimated the 20-30 percent of women who’s bodies genetically do not properly convert folic acid. When the body does not convert enough folic acid, we put our developing baby at risk of neural tube defects and put ourselves in danger of developing a number of age-related illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s. This is a very good example of why it is vital that you not underestimate the importance of prenatal vitamins. |
There are four things to consider when considering your prenatal vitamin regimen:
- Prenatal vitamins should have all of the vitamins that a pregnant women and her baby need. More than twenty different vitamins aid in the development of the baby and the overall health of the mother. Calcium, iron and folic acid are essential to the development of the baby in addition to a number of other vitamins, minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Iron is essential. Anemia is common during pregnancy, but even a mild drop in iron counts can be dangerous. Pregnancy is defined by a very strenuous demand on your blood supply. Your blood supply will increase by up to 50 percent so your body can appropriately handle the delivery of oxygen and removal of waste from your cells and those of the developing baby.
- Consider the dangers of malnutrition. We often think of malnutrition of being something that happens to people in third-world countries. Pregnancy and pregnancy-related nausea demand much from the body. It is often difficult for a woman to get all of the food needed for both mother and child. During the course of her pregnancy, the mother needs to take in an additional 75,000 calories to promote fetal growth. Keep in mind, that’s not “eating for two,” but more in the range of an additional 300-400 calories a day. The recommended nutrient to calorie ratio is higher during these months, so it is vital that vitamins carry the nutritional burden.
- Supplement to prevent neural tube defects. Specifically, supplement with folic acid, choline and DHA. Neural tube defects, the result of a folic acid deficiency, are the cause of major health concerns such as spina bifoda. In addition, the brain, 60 percent of which is fat, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in fatty acid metabolism. Therefore, fatty acids are vital to proper brain development. Choline is vital for the neurological development of the baby, as well as the rest of the nervous system and the systems that govern sight. Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that is an important component of all cell membranes. A deficiency during pregnancy could result in learning disorders.
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