CPD| |Expires SUPPLEMENTATION CPD 31/01/2022
The benefits of supplementation in pregnancy During pregnancy, the immune system changes so that it can protect both mother and baby from disease.
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IFFERENT PARTS OF the immune system are enhanced while others are suppressed. This creates a balance that can prevent infection in the baby without compromising the health of the mother. A healthy, balanced diet is strongly recommended before, during, and after pregnancy. Good nutrition and appropriate weight gain can improve pregnancy outcomes. More and more evidence shows that the types of food we eat have a worsening effect on our gut health and immune system, which play major roles in protecting our overall health. The Western diet is made up of food that’s loaded with saturated fats and refined sugars and contains little fibre and healthy fats (like omega-3 fatty acids). According to a study published in 2016 in BMJ Open, more than half of Americans’ calories come from
Preg
'ultra-processed' foods, which contain tons of sodium, synthetic trans fats, and artificial sweeteners to make them more flavourful and extend their shelf life. Supplementation and fortification are the most common strategies used to target micronutrient deficiencies, due to their relative ease of delivery and cost effectiveness. Maize and wheat flour are the staple foods in South Africa, and in 2003 the South African government introduced mandatory fortification of these foods with vitamin A, iron, zinc, folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B6. A study by Steyn et al 2008 evaluated the effects of fortification on selected nutrient intakes. Fortification was found to raise mean levels of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and folate above the recommended nutrient intakes. Although
the fortifications positively increase the micronutrient profile of rural South Africans, some of the fortified micronutrients, including zinc and vitamin A, remain below adequate intake. Although, in the general population, a healthy balanced diet should largely obviate the need for vitamin and mineral supplementation, pregnancy, and lactation create extra nutritional demands that, for some individuals, may make supplementation advisable. General guidelines for supplementation in pregnancy are Vitamin A: recommended intake of 550µg, folate: 520µg, iron 22mg, calcium 1000mg. PRECONCEPTION NUTRITION Preconception nutrition research has shown that food and healthy nutrition are tied to
fertility health in both women and men. Additionally, there are substances that can hinder fertility. Oysters contain high levels of zinc – a nutrient that contributes to semen and testosterone production in men, and ovulation and fertility in women. There are several studies that indicate that deficiencies in zinc affect both male and female fertility. Maintaining the recommended dietary allowance of zinc (15mg a day) can help keep the reproductive system functioning well. Maintaining a diet composed of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and dairy products should provide the recommended dietary allowance of vitamins and minerals for proper reproductive functioning. Below is a list of suggestions for healthy nutrition prior to conception:
Omega
SA’s No.1 Prescribed Prenatal Supplement1
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY
Reference: 1. Impact Rx. Script data (Vitamins & Minerals / Constructed class). MAT Nov 2020. Proprietary name and dosage form: PregOmega® Plus Tablets and Soft Gel Capsules. Complementary Medicine: Health Supplement. This unregistered medicine has not been evaluated by SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use. Name and business address: iNova Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd. Co. Reg. No. 1952/001640/07,15E Riley Road, Bedfordview. Tel. No. 011 087 0000. www.inovapharma.co.za. Further information is available on request from iNova Pharmaceuticals. For more information, speak to your healthcare professional. IN1338/21
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February 2021 | MEDICAL CHRONICLE 818MEDICAL CHRONICLE
2021/02/04 15:23
