The Importance of Minerals During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of great physical and mental change for a woman. Changes include the growth of placental tissues; the increase in blood volume; increase in cardiac output; accumulation of body water; changes in levels of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones; preparation of breast tissues for lactation; and changes in lung, kidney, reproductive and urinary systems.

The right minerals are required to assist in improving the health of the mother for a smooth pregnancy, delivery and birth recovery period.

Most importantly, the newborn tend to be healthier, with less birth complications and health related diseases later on in life.

Lets have a look at the vital roles during pregnancy of some very important minerals.

Iron

Iron helps your body to form the extra blood that it’s going to need to keep you and baby healthy, as well as helping to form the placenta and develop the baby’s cells. Women are rarely able to consume enough iron during their pregnancy through eating alone, so iron supplements along with prenatal vitamins are often prescribed.

Protein

Protein is the building block of the body’s cells, which are crucial for a developing fetus. This is especially important in the second and third trimester, when both Mom and baby are growing the fastest. It is also important in protecting you against developing pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy. Protein foods are also normally the iron-rich foods, which is important to keep your blood well-oxygenated.

Zinc

Zinc is vital for the growth of your fetus because it aids in cell division, the primary process in the growth of baby’s tiny tissues and organs. It also helps Mom and baby to produce insulin and other enzymes.

Zinc deficiency in early pregnancy can lead to congenital birth defects, low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, mental retardation and behavior problems. Maternal zinc status may also be associated with ease of pregnancy and delivery. Reduced zinc intake in the mother can also lead to children at greater risk of infection due to suppressed immunity.

Magnesium

Magnesium requirements increase in pregnancy as magnesium is involved in many essential bodily functions.

Fluoride

Children whose mothers have diets sufficiently high in fluoride during pregnancy seem to have fewer cavities than children whose diets are lacking in fluoride.

Calcium

Adequate calcium intake is vital for a baby to develop healthy bones and teeth. A full term baby accumulates about 30 g of calcium in bone mass. A pregnant woman’s diet should include three to four calcium-rich foods per day

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