Saturday, September 8, 2012

Pregnancy Nutrition



Healthy Mother = Healthy Baby

Planning for a healthy baby should start LONG before conception. The health of the mother and baby are critically influenced by nutrient intake. There are physical changes that happen to the mother as the fetus develops. The metabolism of a woman increases by 30% during pregnancy and nursing - this increases the need for essential nutrients. 



Increased Nutritional Needs
  • protein needs almost double
  • iron requirements rise from 18mg to 30-60mg daily
  • calcium/magnesium requirements increase from 800mg to 1200-1500 mg daily 
  • the need for B Complex increases


Nutritional Supplements for Pregnancy

  • Vita Lea Multivitamin/Multimineral
  1. provides a smorgasbord of nutrients

  • B Complex
  1. folic acid is crucial to prevent neural tube defects
  2. ensures a healthy pregnancy
  3. relieves fatigue, insomnia, nervousness
  4. adequate niacin may act as an anti-nausea agent
  5. (B vitamins work together as a family- if you increase one you should increase the other- therefore, wisdom says you never take a B individually but always as a complex- except in rare cases)

  • Calcium Magnesium

  1. essential mineral for growing fetus
  2. helps relieve leg, back and joint pain
  3. can help provide a tranquilizing effect during labor

  • Vitamin E

  1. correlation between E deficiency and premature and low birth weight infants
  2. helps prevent miscarriage (due to its oxygen carrying ability)
  3. up to 2000 iu per day for 10 days before delivery has been reported to make the birthing process easier

  • Vitamin C

  1. necessary to strengthen blood vessels and to prevent excessive bleeding 
  2. large amounts taken before labor may reduce labor pain - reportedly up to 50%
  3. can reduce risk of infection after delivery

  • Iron

  1. for mothers 20% increase in blood volume
  2. helps prevent anemia and excessive blood loss during childbirth
  3. guards against miscarriage and fetal malformation

  • Energizing Soy Protein

  1. need for protein doubles during pregnancy
  2. important in the development of bones, soft tissue, blood
  3. helps provide for the 20% increase in blood volume during pregnancy
  4. lack of amino acids has been linked to birth deformities
*Please see post "Soy Quality Control Checklist" to see how Shaklee's Soy is 100% healthy and safe compared to other leading soy products. 

  • GLA

  1. essential fatty acids are involved in development of brain, nerves, eyes.....

  • Zinc
  1. during pregnancy and lactation, the need for zinc increase about 50% 
  2. it is vital for tissue development, especially brain and sex organs

Make sure you have enough fiber in your diet for regular bowel movements. Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. Avoid toxic chemicals.

1. Household cleaners: report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that chemicals commonly found in households are linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities. 
Switch to Shaklee toxic free cleaners. 
You can purchase them at my Shaklee distributor website {here}.

2. Personal care products: in a recent study of personal care products by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health; 30% were found to contain toxic ingredients. It is essential to use toxic free shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
You can find all toxic free personal care products at my Shaklee distributor website {here}.

Most health care professionals recommend supplementation during pregnancy and lactation. This is because the fetus must compete with the mother for the vital nutrients. Any shortage can result in:
  • miscarriage
  • premature infant
  • low birth weight
  • brain damage - impaired intelligence, psychological disturbances
  • baby with weak immune system

This is not the time to skimp on nutrition. Natural source organic food supplements can bring you to a healthy level......You can trust Shaklee products for the health of you and your baby. 


* This information is not intended to treat, diagnose or replace the care of a medical practitioner.





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