Wellness |
Nutrients not to forget during pregnancy By LINDA BACK | Naturopath, Nutritionist, Herbalist Certified Metabolic Balance® Coach
F
inding out that you are expecting a child is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. And making sure you are getting all the nutrients they need for their growth and development is truly the best way to set your child up for a lifetime of good health. While most women know that it is a good idea to get enough folate during the preconception period and the first three months of pregnancy, there are a few other nutrients that you may not realise are arguably just as important. For instance… IODINE is a mineral found in seafood, egg yolks, as well as cocoa powder and some dairy products. Iodine is crucial to the health of the thyroid gland, and when your thyroid is not functioning as well as it should, you may feel unusually tired, mentally drained or experience digestive discomfort (three things you don’t need extra help with when you are pregnant!). Your body needs extra iodine during pregnancy, as your baby’s healthy brain development relies on you getting enough through your diet or prenatal supplement. CHOLINE is a nutrient found in foods such as lentils, beans, peanuts and egg yolk. Many women are unaware that they need a good supply of choline during pregnancy – and it is important to note that this nutrient is also vital for bub’s brain development too. Getting
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enough choline may help reduce your risk of pregnancy complications such as neural tube defects or preeclampsia. With research showing that just over half of pregnant women, and less than half of breastfeeding women, get enough choline each day, ensuring you are getting enough choline is a good idea – both for you and your baby. Finally, a good-quality PROBIOTIC
may be helpful during pregnancy. Not only can these help with digestive discomfort that many expectant mums experience, certain strains of probiotics have been shown to be very helpful in minimising the risk of allergic conditions such as eczema in infants. With childhood allergies on the rise, it is vital to remember that 70% of the immune system is located in the digestive tract,
and I always recommend my pregnant patients take certain strains of probiotics (beneficial bacteria for the digestive tract) for this reason. Probiotics can also be used to help improve immunity to common childhood illnesses such as colds and ear infections. If you would like to learn more about Linda Back and Zest Natural Therapies visit zestnaturaltherapies.com.au .
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