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Large Study Finds Daily Nutrient Supplementation During Pregnancy Reduces Complications At Birth

News

“A six-year study of nearly 100,000 women in Botswana has provided new evidence that relatively inexpensive daily diet supplementation of iron, folic acid and vitamin supplementation in pregnancy can reduce complications at birth.” [Source: Medicalexpress.com]

Comment

It is vitally important for mothers-to-be to ensure a constant supply of micronutrients for their developing child. While the early days and weeks of pregnancy – when a woman may not even be aware she is pregnant – are critical for fetal development, inadequate nourishment in any phase of pregnancy can affect the baby’s organ systems, birth weight, and even survival.

In addition to the caloric demands, pregnancy also increases the demand for specific micronutrients which may not be met through diet alone. In this respect, vitamin C, lysine, proline, and the B group of vitamins, among others, are particularly important for a healthy baby and for preventing complications during pregnancy and delivery. A woman’s requirement for some minerals can increase by more than 50 percent while she is pregnant.

To learn more about the importance of micronutrients during pregnancy, read parts one and two of the special pregnancy feature article on our website.