Pre-and Postnatal Supplementation

A woman’s nutritional status during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not only critical for her health but also for her baby.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRE-AND POSTNATAL SUPPLEMENTATION

A woman’s nutritional status during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not only critical for her health but also for her baby. During pregnancy, women undergo several physiological changes that require increased nutritional requirements to achieve the normal development and health of the fetus. These changes also prepare the mother and baby for delivery.

During pregnancy, the nutritional requirements differ considerably from those of non-pregnant women.^1e Vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids play an important role during pregnancy: ensuring the appropriate progress of a normal pregnancy to support the mother through the common discomforts or to prevent pregnancy complications.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS REQUIRED DURING PREGNANCY & BREASTFEEDING

An adequate supply of omega-3 DHA and the following micronutrients are particularly important in pregnancy.

Calcium
Iodine
Iron
Magnesium
Vitamin A
Vitamin B₉(folate, also known as folic acid)
Vitamin B₆(pyridoxine)
Vitamin C
Vitamin D₃(Cholecalciferol)
Vitamin E
Zinc

LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF PRENATAL SUPPLEMENTATION IN LATER CHILDHOOD

Except for the short-term support micronutrients has for maternal health and fetal development, studies show that women taking multiple micronutrients supplementation during pregnancy have long-term benefits for the child’s cognitive development.

PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS DUE TO NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

What can happen when your dietary routine lacks these nutrients?
Insufficient maternal nutrient intake has the potential to adversely affect many developmental processes in the fetus and the breastfed infant, with both immediate and longer-term effects.
Folate deficiency can be responsible for neural tube defects (NTD), including spina bifida and brain deformities.
Other nutrient deficiencies can lead to:

Pregestational diabetes
Pre-term delivery
Low birth weight
Fetal growth retardation
Birth defects
Impaired neurodevelopment and cognition

HOW TO PREVENT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

The nutritional needs of pregnant women can be adapted and achieved by introducing daily supplementation to their dietary routines. Multiple micronutrient supplementation during the critically important biological period of pregnancy is considered an effective strategy to achieve an optimized micronutrient status.
Micronutrient supplementation should always be combined with the consumption of a well-balanced diet.

WHY IS ADDITIONAL MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION NECESSARY DURING PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING WITH A WELL-BALANCED DIET?

Pregnancy requires a healthy diet that includes an adequate supply of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals to meet the increased needs of the mother and the fetus. However, for many pregnant women, dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products is often insufficient to meet these needs and can lead to micronutrient deficiencies.
Even in developed countries, where a balanced diet is accessible, micronutrient inadequacies are common due to a general switch to high-fat and low-quality diets (e.g., in highly processed products rich in salt, sugar and saturated fats), with the frequently suboptimal intake of general vitamins and minerals.

References available on request