Role of nutrients during pregnancy

“Every nutrient that's important to you as a woman is necessary for your baby's growth and development. Yet, certain nutrients stand out as particularly important to your child, especially as pregnancy progresses.”

Protein

Protein is the structural material of every cell in your baby's body.

Insufficient protein during pregnancy restricts fetal growth and it may even affect your child's chances for high blood pressure

 later in life.

Iron

You require about 50% more iron when you are pregnant.

Iron is important in the formation of hemoglobin, which is the oxygen-carrying protein on red blood cells.

In pregnancy your need for iron and hemoglobin goes up, especially in the second and third trimesters.

Iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy can cause fatigue in mom, and possible problems for baby.

Calcium

The baby needs calcium for development.

If you don't consume enough calcium, your body will take it from your bones.

This can cause a decrease in bone mass and increase your risk for osteoporosis.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

DHA is important for brain and eye development. DHA-rich sources include salmon and fortified eggs.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

• “Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” It happens when you lose too much bone. As a result, your bones become weak.”
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  Risk Factors:
  
  
  Gender - Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than are men.
  
  
  Age - Women over the age of 50 or postmenopausal women have the greatest risk of osteoporosis. Women experience rapid bone loss in the first 10 years after entering menopause. This bone loss is because menopause decreases the production of estrogen, a hormone which protects against excessive bone loss. 
  
  
  
  Race - Caucasian or Asian race, thin and small body frames. However, African American and Hispanic women are still at risk. In fact, African American women are more likely than white women to die after a hip fracture.
  
  
  Family history— If your parents or grandparents have had any signs of osteoporosis, such as a fractured hip after a minor fall, you may have a greater risk of developing the disease.
  
  
  Nutrition — Poor diet. Getting too little calcium over your lifetime can increase your risk for osteoporosis. Not getting enough vitamin D -- either from your diet, supplements, or sunlight -- can also increase your risk for osteoporosis. Vitamin D is important because it helps the body absorb calcium. An overall diet adequate in protein and other vitamins and minerals is also essential for bone health. 
  
  
  
  Lifestyle & Physical inactivity — People who lead sedentary lifestyles have a higher risk of osteoporosis. Not exercising and being inactive or staying in bed for long periods can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Like muscles, bones become stronger with exercise.
  
  
  Medications — Certain medications result in side effects that may damage bone and lead to osteoporosis. These include steroids, breast cancer treatments, and medications used to treat seizures, some medicines that treat endometriosis; and some cancer drugs. Using too much thyroid hormone for an underactive thyroid can also be a problem. Talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking and what you can do to protect your bones.
  
  
  Smoking — Smoking increases the risk of fractures. Smokers may absorb less calcium from their diets.
  
  
  
  Alcohol use -Consumption of 1-2 drinks a day (or more) increases the risk of osteoporosis                                                                       
  
  
  Medical Conditions --Those with the following conditions should consider earlier screening for osteoporosis:
  o   Overactive thyroid, parathyroid, or adrenal glands
  o   History of bariatric (weight loss) surgery
  o   Hormone treatment for breast or prostate cancer 
  o   Eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia)
  o   Organ transplant
  o   Celiac disease
  o   Inflammatory bowel disease
  o   Missed periods
  
  
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