Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy has also been linked to preeclampsia, rickets and other musculoskeletal and health complications in children, lower bone density and smaller babies.

Beef up your Vitamin D levels with contaminant free cod liver oil, such as Carlsons, raw, organic dairy products, take a food based prenatal and get plenty of sunlight if you are able. Learn more at Sciencedaily.com, eurekalert.org and webmd.com.

Omega3 - Nutrition for the Pregnant Mother and Child
It is widely accepted that your nutritional needs change when you become pregnant. This includes both an increase, as well as a decrease of certain foods, drinks and supplements. We all know that an increase in nutrients during this time is beneficial for fetal development to prevent nutritional deficiencies of a number of nutrients that can lead to birth defects or complications.

Essential Fatty Acids (omega3 and omega6) in the correct ratio and quantity can offer exceptional benefits in terms of fetal development, the health of the mother-to-be and the health of the baby after being born.

“Fish oil omega 3 supplements during pregnancy and nursing are so vitally important that they’re recommended by the Food Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The unified recommendation for pregnant and lactating women is 1200mgs a day. To eat that much fish would mean consuming more than a daily serving of salmon – which is the highest source of the omega 3 fatty acids.” Omega3.us

How Can Omega3 Fatty Acids Help During Pregnancy?

Overall Wellbeing
It is becoming common knowledge that omega3 fatty acids are exceptionally important for human health. Unfortunately in most Western lifestyles our diets include dangerously low levels of omega3s and a level of omega6 fatty acids that is far too high. This shift in our diet can be very closely correlated with the increase in incidence of degenerative diseases over the past hundred years.

Omega3 and omega6 fatty acids are labeled ‘essential’ because the body cannot synthesize them on its own. It relies upon a food source, and unfortunately, given the nature of the average, modern western diet – the majority of us severely lack a natural source of omega3 fatty acids, with omega6s are provided at damagingly high levels through cooking oils, butter etc. To compound this, the omega6 fatty acids that we do intake are often cooked or spoiled by heat, light and oxygen and have therefore become toxic to our bodies.

Hundreds of research studies have now proven, beyond doubt, that a diet including optimal levels of omega3 and 6 (in the correct ratio) on a regular/daily basis can lead to a myriad of health benefits, and can also help to prevent (and reverse) the symptoms of degenerative diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, arthritis as well as Type 2 diabetes.

Other benefits that are gained from including omega3 and 6 essential fatty acids in your diet include a stronger immune system, stronger bones, an increase in energy, weight loss and healthier hair, nails and skin.

It is important to remember that it is easier for pregnant women to experience a deficiency in omega3 fatty acids because more essential fatty acids are required to build a growing baby. This deficiency can be compounded in subsequent pregnancies due to the fact that maternal stores can become further depleted with each pregnancy, rarely returning to pre-pregnancy levels.

Omega 3 oils are especially important during the final trimester. It is during this time that your baby uses Omega-3 to form approximately 70% of her brain system. She is also working on the rest of her nervous system. Pregnancyinfo.net

Fetal Development
Omega3 fatty acids are vital to healthy fetal development. A deficiency can easily occur with modern, Western diets and supplementation has been recommended by many researchers, health experts and doctors (not only for pregnant women, but for everyone!).

During fetal development, omega3 fatty acids are especially important for neural development and cell growth. Throughout pregnancy, omega3’s supply ‘brain food’ to the fetus, as important brain and eye development takes place during fetal development, continuing well into the child’s infant years. In fact, the lack of omega3 fatty acids during pregnancy and during the formative years after birth have been discovered to be a critical element for both the neurological and visual development of the baby. DHA is especially vital, as fetus cannot produce DHA efficiently independently.

In fact, research has shown that by adding omega3 and omega6 fatty acids to the mother’s diet during pregnancy can almost certainly have a very positive effect on the child’s cognitive abilities. These effects have even been proven to exist in the development of the child until the age of four!

Perhaps, even more critically, studies have shown that effective supplementation of omega3 fatty acids during pregnancy can greatly decrease the likelihood of complications such as pre term labor, and pre-eclampsia (toxemia) – a significant contributor to maternal mortality.

Research is proving beyond doubt that omega3 supplementation is almost vital during pregnancy and can greatly increase the health and development of both the child and the mother. However, it is recommended that these fatty acids are not added solely to the diet through consuming fish or fish based supplements. There are growing concerns regarding the toxicity of fish, particularly from mercury poisoning. A safer option would be to seek specific pre-natal supplements, or those such as Udo’s Choice which contain only plant based fatty acids.

Various sources of Omega 3:

• Krill Oil
• Walnuts & Oil
• Flax & Oil
• Wild Alaskan Salmon
• All oily fish (be cautions of contamination)
• Chia Seeds
• Hemp
• Marine algae (where do you think the fish get Omega 3s?)

Infant/Child Behavior and Development
Modern research is showing a strong link between infant/child behavior and nutrition. Over the past thirty years, the focus of this research has turned to omega3 fatty acids and their role in the behavioral development and learning skills. ADHD, in particular, has been very closely associated with omega3 fatty acid deficiency both in terms during pregnancy and in the infants diet until at least the age of four. Research has shown that infants with lower omega3 levels are more likely to suffer behavioral problems including hyperactivity, impulsivity, anxiety, temper problems and unsettled sleep patterns. Interest in this area was first shown following a breakthrough study in 1981 which hypothesized that children with ADHD are more likely to have a diminished nutritional status of EFAs due to them showing greater thirst than non-ADHD children.

This study was further strengthened two years later, when EFA levels were measured in 23 children diagnosed with behavioral disorders and 20 average children. The results showed clearly that the children with behavioral problems were significantly deficient in EFAs.

More recently, a UK-based study has been undertaken and monitored by the BBC to show the effects of nutritional supplements of omega3 fatty acids on the behavior of children. The study has focused upon both infants (as young as 20 months) and children up to the age of 12. The children were assessed on their reading skills, IQ, spelling, behavior and motor skills over a period of six weeks. The study was led by Dr Madelene Portwood of the Durham Local Education Authority and the Durham Sure Start trial and she concluded that ‘The performance of almost 60 per cent of the children has improved dramatically…some two-year-olds went from having a vocabulary of 25 single words to being able to use whole sentences while others were able to sit down and concentrate for the first time in their lives’.

“Babies born to mothers who had higher blood levels of DHA scored better on the attention tests until 6 months of age, and they scored better on different tests designed to measure visual learning in older babies at 1 year and 18 months.” WebMD.com

Post Natal Depression
It has long been accepted that using supplements of omega3 fatty acids can play a vital role in treating and preventing depression. When considering the increased requirement for omega3s during pregnancy and the depletion of a mother’s omega3 reserves after giving birth it is no surprise that an omega3 deficiency may play a role in post-natal depression.

A major UK study on over 11,000 women has found that the more omega3 fatty acids consumed by women during the third trimester, the less likely she was to suffer from depression both during pregnancy and for the eight months after giving birth.

The reason behind EFAs being so effective at reducing depression is that they are used extensively by the brain through many different functions. Omega3s are converted by the body into both EPA and then DHA. The majority of the human brain is comprised of DHA, and a deficiency of DHA has been linked to the Alzheimer’s epidemic. Low levels of EFAs are also highly associated with low levels of serotonin, the major brain chemical that is responsible for our mood levels. Low serotonin levels almost always results in depression.

Summary

Pregnant women and new mothers should definitely consider supplementing their diet with omega3 fatty acids. The nutritional benefits are manifold both during pregnancy and in everyday life. Most significantly, the intake of omega3 fatty acids during pregnancy can prevent pre term delivery, improve the babies neural development, retina development, skin and cell health, reduce the likelihood of behavioral problems and can also help prevent the mother from experiencing prenatal and postnatal depression.

On top of the non-pregnancy related benefits, this subject is certainly worth further research and consideration.

Energize for Life offer free guides and resources for those looking to achieve optimal health and energy. With a slant towards the alkaline diet approach to health they offer a huge range of nutritional supplements, health equipment, superfoods and essential fatty acids. The aim of Energize for Life is to give you every resource you need to reach your own individual health goals.

Sheryl’s comment:
There are many ways to take Omega 3s. They are vital for every animal and human being but especially important for pregnant women. Purchase Wild Alaskan Salmon and eat it religiously throughout your pregnancy. If you cannot afford that, munch on flaxseeds or walnuts every day as a snack or get krill oil. Take a spoonful of Vitamineral Green in your OJ in the morning. There are tons of ways to get your Omega 3s but algaes and krill oil are probably the best. Take what you can afford and are comfortable with, but make sure to get tons of it every single day.
Uberarticles.com

Can Preeclampsia be prevented?

Preeclampsia is a condition that affects 5-7% of pregnant women, most often first time mothers. It is a potentially dangerous condition that must be monitored once it is detected. Although preeclampsia can strike rapidly and with no symptoms, there are generally a number of warning signs to be on the lookout for including:

• Protein in urine
• Sudden weight gain
• Headaches, dizziness or fainting
• High or elevated blood pressure
• Excessive edema or swelling
• Ringing in the ears

Pre-eclampsia often causes preterm birth and can also compromise the blood flow to the uterus which can result in growth problems before the baby is born. More extreme cases of pre-eclampsia can result in serious health problems to the mother including stroke, coma and death. This is why urine and blood pressure are tested weekly or bi-weekly during prenatal wellness visits.

“Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading global cause of maternal and infant illness and death. By conservative estimates, these disorders are responsible for 76,000 deaths each year. ” Preeclampsia Foundation

There is no cure for preeclampsia. It can only be managed once it is diagnosed and doctors will have to weigh the health of the mother against the term of the baby to decide how to best handle it because birth or death is the only way to end preeclampsia. A recent study did find that low doses of aspirin may be useful in the treatment of preeclampsia but you should only take aspirin under the supervision of your doctor since aspirin has its own side effects.

Preeclampsia is a potentially deadly condition once it develops and no one will argue that point. The real question is whether or not preeclampsia and other related conditions can be prevented with proper diet. We believe the answer is yes, based on the actual cause of preeclampsia in the first place.

Protein spilling in the urine is one of the first signs of preeclampsia. That would lead many people to believe that women with the condition have an excess of protein in their diet but the reverse is actually true. Pregnant women who do not consume enough protein will actually begin to breakdown their own body tissues to provide protein for their growing baby.

“Very simply, if you are not getting enough protein (80 to 100 grams per day), and if you are not getting enough calcium/magnesium, your liver cannot function properly, and the tissues of the body begin metabolizing themselves to provide for your protein needs, specifically kidney tissue. Some of the protein that is broken down is excreted into the urine, which is why there will be protein in the urine. Blood pressure and edema (swelling) are due to poor mineral balance, specifically calcium/magnesium imbalance. ” Unhindered Living.com

This is why proper nutrition and protein intake is extremely important during pregnancy. Here are some tips to stay on track nutritionally during pregnancy:

1. Get 80-100 grams of protein a day. Some excellent protein sources are whey protein, hemp protein, beans, peas, nuts and nut oils and butters, seeds and their oils, organic whole raw milk from grass fed cows or goats, organic vegetarian eggs from free range chickens (safe to eat raw), wild Alaskan salmon, organic whole milk dairy products & cheese (preferably raw), brewers yeast, wheat germ, wheat grass, aloe vera juice and of course animal meat if you are not vegetarian but please choose meat that is organic, free range, grass fed for the sake of the animal and to avoid feeding unnecessary antibiotics, hormones and other chemicals to your baby.

If you eat these items on a regular basis then not only will you have no problem meeting your protein requirement but you will also be getting a slew of other vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids that are crucial for proper fetal development.

2. Take a food based prenatal supplement, green superfood or both.

3. Take coral calcium with magnesium and take epsom salt baths for extra magnesium absorption

4. Drink tons of filtered water and do not limit your salt intake. Never use table salt whether you are pregnant or not. Always use sea salt or Himalayan crystal salt.

Even if you do everything right nutritionally, it is still very important to monitor your blood pressure and urine protein whether you are doing your own prenatal care or you are under the care of a midwife. If your levels or readings become elevated, it is important for you to remain vigilant as preeclampsia can quickly develop into a very dangerous, life threatening condition.

Buy the Book: Pre-eclampsia, Etiology and Clinical Practice
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/cobalt/450373034/

The nutritional value of our food supply has declined tremendously in the last century. While obtaining all of your vitamins and minerals from food sources is an admirable goal, it is pretty close to impossible to achieve. Pregnancy is no time for such health experiments. It is mandatory to receive adequate amounts of key nutrients in order for you baby to thrive and avoid birth defects. The next best thing to getting your nutrients through food is to choose a food based prenatal vitamin or a superfood.

Author: Dr. Todd Sinett

Taking a prenatal or multivitamin prior to and during pregnancy may reduce the risk of developing pre-eclampsia, a condition that can result in serious fetal and maternal complications. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh found that women who took a multivitamin at least one time per week before becoming pregnant as well as during the first trimester were 71% less likely to develop pre-eclampsia than women who didn’t take one. The only catch is…. this was only effective for women who were at a healthy pre-pregnancy weight. Overweight women who took multivitamins did not have a lower risk of pre-eclampsia.

What is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that usually develops in the later stages of pregnancy and is marked by high maternal blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling of the hands and feet. Fetal complications can include low birth weight, premature birth, and stillbirth. The only definite treatment for pre-eclampsia is delivery.

Prenatal Nutrition 101
Avoiding pre-eclampsia is not the only reason to get serious about good nutrition prior to pregnancy. Experts agree that developing good eating habits and establishing appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals in the body before becoming pregnant is just as important as what is eaten during pregnancy. Aside from the overall benefits of good nutrition, developing better eating habits before becoming pregnant makes it easier to eat healthfully during pregnancy. Furthermore, many women may become pregnant without realizing it right away.

Maintain a healthy weight:
Being overweight, or underweight, can directly affect a baby’s birth weight and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. Underweight women tend to have a higher risk of giving birth to a low-birth weight baby, while overweight women are more likely to develop gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, complications during delivery, and have overweight children.

FACT: Up to 38% of pregnancies occur in women who are overweight at conception.

Although medical doctors will tell you otherwise, many nutritionists believe that pre-eclampsia can be prevented with proper nutrition. The Brewers diet claims to prevent pre-eclampsia among other common conditions for pregnancy. Other studies have shown that adequate supplementation of Vitamins C (1000 mg) and E (400 IU) along with a calcium supplement (1200-1800 milligrams) can prevent pre-eclampsia. Others believe that high quality protein is essential for preventing. You should be taking these anyway while pregnant, but this is even more incentive to make sure you supplement regularly and carefully.

There are three key nutrients that are especially important to get enough of before and during pregnancy.

1. Folic Acid
Important for: Development of the fetus (especially the brain and spinal cord) during the first months of pregnancy. Adequate folic acid intake has been shown to prevent neural tube birth defects.

• How much? Women of childbearing age should consume 400 µg per day of folic acid from fortified foods, supplements, or both, in addition to folate contained in a varied diet. Almost all prenatal vitamins contain at least the minimum recommended amount of folic acid.

• Where to find it: Folate is found naturally is green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits as well as fortified cereals and other fortified foods.

2. Iron
Important for: Building up iron stores before pregnancy. Many women have low iron stores as a result of monthly menstruation and diets low in iron. Plus, iron needs are almost double during pregnancy due to an increase in blood volume.

• How much? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all pregnant women take a low dose iron supplement (30 mg/day) beginning at their first prenatal visit. Women who are not pregnant but are of childbearing age should get 18mg from diet and supplements combined.

• Where to find it: Green leafy vegetables, beans, red meat and fortified cereals. Foods rich in vitamin C like citrus fruits as well as meat can help improve the body’s absorption of iron from food.

3. Calcium
Important for: Keeping bones healthy before and during pregnancy. It is important to build up bone mineral density before becoming pregnant to compensate for the added stress and calcium requirements during pregnancy.

• How much? 1300 mg/day for women aged 14-18, and 1,000 mg/day for ages 19-54.

• Where to find it: Dairy products are an excellent source of calcium as well as some vegetables like broccoli, and calcium fortified foods such as orange juice, soymilk, and many breakfast cereals. * Most multivitamins and prenatal vitamins won’t contain a full day’s worth of calcium. So women with diets low in calcium containing foods will probably need to take extra if you are not eating many foods that contain calcium.

  Ideally women trying to conceive should start taking a prenatal multivitamin before they become pregnant. It is possible to get almost all the nutrients needed with a well planned diet, however many women do not meet this standard. Think of a multi as an insurance policy for your most precious possession!

  Do you believe that you need to drink cow milk to get calcium? Only if you are a calf. Human beings need human milk as babies and do not need cows milk to build bones. Enormous vegetarian animals such as giraffes and elephants not only don’t drink the milk of other species but also do not suffer from osteoporosis. Your body needs calcium from sources such as spirulina and coral calcium. If you insist on trying to meet your calcium needs through dairy, please eat the full fat, raw kind for maximum nutrition and calcium absorption.

  About the author:
  After a combined 50 years of experience treating celebrities, first ladies and dignitaries, Madison Avenue doctor Todd Sinett at last reveals his breakthrough strategies to Health and Wellness. This valuable information can be found at http://www.balanceinthebody.com/ on their free internet newsletter.
  
  Shopping list:
  Food Based Prenatal Vitamin
  Superfood supplement with Spirulina for Calcium
  Vitamin C
  Vitamin E
  Coral Calcium
  Omega 3 Supplement
  Protein powder
  Digestive Enzymes
  Probiotic Supplement

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