Pregnant? Consider These Nutrients For Smarter Babies

Pregnancy, especially first-time mothers, can be a daunting time as there is so much conflicting information about what to eat, what to drink, and what supplements to take when it comes to making healthy babies.  There are obvious standards such as a pre-natal vitamin with extra folic acid, quitting smoking and drinking, eliminating most seafood, and stopping most herbal supplements and teas unless otherwise confirmed safe for pregnancy.  However, there are three pregnancy-safe nutrients that may provide additional support to brain development and subsequently smart(er) children.  Remember, before rushing out to buy anything, consult with your health care provider. 

1.       Choline – this water-soluble B-vitamin is critical for brain development and cell membranes.  Recent research in the June 2013 American Journal of Epidemiology found that those pregnant women who consistently ate at 325 mg or more of choline had children with better visual memory skills than those who were not.  Choline is generally considered safe unless taken in extreme dose (10 grams or more) and should not be taken if someone is also on the medication methotrexate.  For those looking to eat their way to healthy levels, food sources include beef liver, wheat germ, eggs, beef, cod, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. 

2.       DHA – otherwise known as docosahexaenoic acid is part of the omega-3 mix with EPA.  DHA specifically has been associated with better brain development as it helps the rapidly growing neuronal cells particularly in the last trimester of pregnancy.  As a result, formula and baby food makers have begun adding DHA into their ingredients to ensure infants and growing children get enough of this healthy nutrient.  When looking to supplement, the DHA content should be at least 300mg and come from a reputable source where the oil is screened for toxins, heavy metals and chemicals.  Be very careful while pregnant when eating the popular omega-3 source – fish such as salmon, sardines and anchovies.

3.       Iron – becoming iron anemic (or low on iron) while pregnant is a common encounter as iron is critical for DNA synthesis and cognitive development.  Most pre-natal vitamins add extra iron as pregnant women should be taking about 30mg per day during these 9 months however if her blood levels drop she may need more.  In food, iron is best found in beef, dark chicken, oysters, black strap molasses, lentils and fortified foods such as cereals.  Some forms of iron cause constipation and intestinal upset which may already be a problem during pregnancy and iron should not be taken within 4 hours of thyroid medication.

As developmental delays and attention deficit disorder continues to climb, talking with your health care provider about additional baby brain development to help make for smarter children.  

References:

1.       Boeke, M., Gillman, M., Hughes, M., Rifas-Shiman, S., Villamor, E., and Oken, E.  Choline Intake During Pregnancy and Child Cognition at 7 Years.  Am J Epidemiol. 2013;177(12):1338-1347.

2.       Higdon J. (updated by Drake, V. and Zeisel, S.) Choline.  Web.  1 July, 2013.

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/choline/

3.       Boyles, S. Pregnant? Omega-3’s Essential for Baby’s Brain.  Web.  1 July, 2013.

http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20040716/pregnant-omega-3-essential-for-babys-brain

4.              4.  Klemens, C., Salari, K.,and  Mozurkewich, E. Assessing Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy

and Lactation to Optimize Maternal Mental Health and Childhood Cognitive Development.  Clin Lipidology. 2012;7(1):93-109. 

5.              5.   Higdon J. (updated by Drake, V. and Wessling-Resnick, M.) Iron.  Web.  1 July, 2013.

          http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iron/

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

The saying goes that a woman is ‘eating for two’ when she is pregnant however what she chooses to eat has a drastic impact on her risk of gestational diabetes.  There are the common cravings such as ice cream and pickles but many find themselves also reaching more for bread, crackers or comfort food and avoiding their normally healthy choices out of convenience, nausea or sudden aversion to foods they once loved.  These high carbohydrates, high sugar foods cause a considerable amount of weight gain and fill the system with glucose leading to hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.

It is well known that everything changes with pregnancy.  Anatomically, the body shifts completely to accommodate a growing fetus.  Hormones sky rocket and the brain seems to turn to mush (commonly called, mommy brain).  A pregnant woman’s endocrine system also changes as the body has to adapt to all of the shifts however if the output of insulin by the pancreas cannot keep up with the increase in carbohydrate/sugar heavy foods, she becomes diabetic.  Having gestational diabetes also increases a women’s risk for type 2 diabetes later in life and therefore should be monitored carefully both from a screening glucose/insulin  test and a lifestyle stand point.  It is also important to note that given the current increasing trend in overweight and obesity in the United States, research shows that 50-60% of women go into their pregnancy already carrying too many extra pounds on their frame further increasing the risk.

There is not one set standard for diagnosing gestational diabetes however a woman is more at risk if she has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more going into the pregnancy, has had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy, or has a strong family history of diabetes.  The most common test is the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) where a pregnant woman drinks a very sweet drink then waits an hour and has her glucose tested.  A normal result (depending on the lab) is under 130-140 mg/dL.  The drink is very syrupy and often can cause vomiting, in which case the test must be repeated at a later date.  Follow up testing can include the 3 hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test where the same test is repeated however glucose levels are drawn every hour for 3 hours.  If 2 out of the 3 hours have abnormally high levels of glucose, gestational diabetes is diagnosed.

As there are considerable risks for the growing baby (heavy birth weight babies, early delivery, and shoulder dystocia) it is important that gestational diabetes be taken seriously.  Pregnancy is not the time to lose weight or go on a diet however routine glucose monitoring, changes in diet and proper exercise can make a huge difference and possibly avert the use of insulin in order to control glucose levels.  Make sure to eat a variety of vegetables, lean protein, good fats and fiber rich foods for the health of everyone involved!

To learn more, read about the women's health website, Empowher, here!

References:

11) Mild Gestational Diabetes.  Web.  20 January, 2013.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/775396

22)  Gestational Diabetes. Web.  20 January, 2013.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gestational-diabetes/DS00316

33) The Relative Contribution of Prepregnancy Overweight and Obesity, Gestational Weight Gain, and IADPSG-Defined Gestational Diabetes Mellitus to Fetal Overgrowth.  Web.  20 January, 2013.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/777162

What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum? The Poor Princess...

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were forced to make the early announcement about Catherine’s pregnancy due to her hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) that landed her in the hospital. While the world was thrilled for their news, many had never heard of HG and those women who experienced it personally offered their knowing support.  The word ‘hyperemesis’ basically means vomiting excessively while gravidarum refers to a pregnant woman.  As many women report vomiting in the early weeks of their pregnancies, HG is a much more severe form that requires serious attention.

It is estimated that HG occurs in 0.3 – 1% of pregnant women, which is a relatively small subset considering about 50-80% of women experience ‘normal’ nausea and vomiting.  The condition is so severe that women can lose significant body weight due to malnourishment as they are not able to eat or drink because of the nausea and then they have excessive vomiting.  Women with HG often require medical treatment (as is the case with the Duchess of Cambridge) as IV fluids are needed to prevent dehydration and medications for nausea may be necessary. 

HG can affect a pregnant woman’s electrolyte balance, her kidney function, create problems with the stomach and esophagus and affect the growing fetus.  Unfortunately, those who experience HG with their first pregnancy will often go on to have it with subsequent pregnancies. The exact cause of HG is unknown with many speculating genetics, hormones, and over-sensitivity to HCG in the body, plus other more significant conditions in the body such as gastrointestinal or liver problems.  Some believe that carrying twins increases the risk for HG due to the increased hormone and HCG level in the body.  The concern for the baby is that they have a higher risk for being born early, born underweight and born small for their age.

Like non-HG women with nausea and vomiting, hydration and nourishment is very important.  The medical community often uses B-vitamins in IV or injection to help such as B1, B6 and B12.  The herb ginger, especially when used in the form of a candy to suck on or tea has anti-nausea effects.  Acupuncture has also been shown to be helpful for both nausea and vomiting. 

Hyperemesis Gravidarum should not be taken lightly and a pregnant woman experiencing excessive nausea and vomiting causing weight loss should immediately consult with their medical provider or proceed to the nearest hospital for full evaluation.   Thankfully the Duchess did just that and will hopefully have a wonderful pregnancy.

To read more at the women's health website, Empowher, click HERE!

Reference:

1.       ACOG Guidelines for Treating Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnant Women Reviewed.  Web.  9 December, 2012.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/730517

2.       Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: Blooming or bloomin’ awful? A review of the literature.  Web.  9 December, 2012.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200815

3.       Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.  Web.  9 December, 2012.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410506/