Supplements & Nutrients

Omega 3 - Boost Baby's Brain Power You may have been told that Omega 3 fatty acid - also known as fish oils - can play an important part in helping your baby's brain develop into the powerful organ we all want our children to have. So now you are wondering what the best sources of this nutrient are and how much you should be getting. What is Omega 3 Fatty Acid? Firstly we should make you aware that this is often referred to as fish oils, but it is not actually fish oil, but rather that this fat is…

Is Magnesium Safe During Pregnancy? There are many benefits to ensuring that you are receiving sufficient magnesium in your diet. Manganese plays an important role in the formation of bone, teeth, cartilage, development of your babys inner and outer ears as well as the assists certain enzymes to function properly. Not only will Magnesium help with those developmental functions, but taking a magnesium supplement while pregnant may also help prevent premature labor. One other pleasant effect of taking magnesium is that it could possibly reduce pregnancy related leg cramping and heartburn. How much magnesium do you need while pregnant? You…

Many women will make the effort to avoid all drugs during the course of their pregnancy, swearing off caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, prescription and over-the-counter medications. They may however, forget all about the cup of herbal tea though. Even though most herbal teas claim to be all natural health tonics, some can still be harmful, especially if you consume too much. It is not uncommon for high doses of herbal teas to cause vomiting, diarrhea and even heart palpitations. It is important that you realize that herbs are a form of drugs, even if they are natural. This does not mean…

There are a number of herbal plants around the world which have fantastic healing qualities about them. Most, if not all of them however should be avoided during your pregnancy because they could be detrimental to your pregnancy for a number of reasons. They may irritate the placenta, cause mutation of the developing fetus and stimulate muscular contractions of the uterus amongst others. Before taking any herbal remedies during your pregnancy you should consult your healthcare provider or a qualified herbalist. There are around 560 plants which we know have the ability to cause miscarriage or other defects during pregnancy…

Folic acid - also known as vitamin B9 or folate - is one of the few nutrients which is known to prevent neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida and those women who receive the recommended daily amount will reduce the risk of such birth defects by up to 70%. This statistic alone should be enough to make you want to ensure that you are receiving the correct amount of folic acid. There are of course other complications which may be avoided if your folic acid intake is sufficient, and these include: Miscarriage Cleft lip and palate Limb defects…

How Important Is Vitamin D During and After Pregnancy? A recent study which was carried out in the United Kingdom suggested that pregnant women who took a vitamin D supplement were more likely to have children with higher bone mineral content as they aged. The Role of Vitamin D People usually assume – incorrectly - that calcium is the most important vitamin for teeth and bone development. Vitamin D is just as important - it works in combination with other vitamins and minerals to ensure healthy bone growth. Vitamin D helps the body absorb valuable nutrients – such as calcium…

Vitamin A plays an important part in your pregnancy – it plays an important role in the development of the following: embryonic development eyes limbs healthy skin mucous membranes infection resistance bone growth fat metabolism Not only is it important for your baby’s development, but also for you. Vitamin A helps with postpartum tissue repair, helps maintain normal vision and assists in fighting off infections. How much vitamin A do I need? The recommended daily allowance is 770 micrograms of vitamin A per day during pregnancy and post pregnancy. When you are breast feeding you will need to increase that…

Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins During Pregnancy? Many women begin taking prenatal vitamins even before they fall pregnant, while they are trying to conceive. Prenatal vitamins contain the daily amounts of vitamins and minerals that your body may require during pregnancy. Your prenatal vitamins are very different from normal supplements or general multivitamins because of it's folic acid and iron content. These two are the most important minerals your body and developing baby will need during your pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain other essential vitamins and minerals other than just iron and folic acid which are essential for the development of…

What Minerals and Vitamins are essential During Pregnancy The foods that you eat and the nutrition that you take in while you are pregnant is going to have an effect on the development of your baby. A balanced diet is the best way to receive nutrients, but prenatal vitamins do also have a place in ensuring that you are getting the minerals and vitamins you and your baby need. Prenatal vitamins will never replace a healthy diet, but rather assist you in ensuring that you get that little bit of extra help – simply put, they are a supplement and…