Beta carotene, pregnancy not withstanding, is converted by the human
body into vitamin A and unused amounts are stored in the liver. The
level of this, as well as other nutrients, in newborns is largely
dependant on the levels ingested during pregnancy. Vitamin A is
important to the growth and motor development of infants and the lack
thereof may contribute to infant mortality, especially from infectious
disease, in developing nations.
Beta carotene is not teratogenic and is recommended over vitamin A
which has the possibility of teratogenicity. Teratogenesis is anything
that is potentially harmful to a developing fetus. It is also now
believed that various micronutrients affect the way in which other
micronutrients are utilized by the body. This is sometimes not a
desirable result but in the case of iron ,which is frequently
supplemented during pregnancy, there seems to be a positive result.
Supplementation of vitamin A together with supplementation of iron
seems to preclude the incidence of anemia better than when only iron is
used. Some researchers have also concluded that vitamin A deficiency is
less common when both vitamin A and zinc are supplemented
simultaneously. It is also now believed that supplementation of beta
carotene during pregnancy will result in higher retinol levels in
breast milk after delivery.
It is also found that carotenoid levels found in foods may not now be
as high as once thought. For instance, the tropical diet may be
inherently low in beta carotene. It does seem to be the case, however,
that increasing consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables
increases a person’s over-all nutrient levels. The standard
recommendation is to eat five one-half-cup servings of fruits and
vegetables per day for normal health.
Unfortunately, very few westerners now eat the way that the experts
suggest. When the average American is honest with himself, he soon
admits to avoiding some meals entirely and using empty calories to an
excessive degree. Although flour is enriched by regulation, it is often
omitted from the diet. Persons with low carb diets, in particular, will
probably not benefit from the enriched breads that others consume.
Pregnant women who have been advised above all other concerns to keep
their weight gain to an acceptable level may turn to diets that do not
contain the necessary nutrient levels. The use of prescription prenatal
vitamins is commonly recommended by obstetricians. Nothing new should
be added to the diet during pregnancy without consultation with an
obstetrician. Anything potentially harmful that is currently being used
by pregnant women may need to be discontinued upon an obstetrician’s
advise.
The time to think about the nutritional health of pregnant women and
their developing babies is before becoming pregnant. Improving over-all
health and addressing existing health concerns before pregnancy, while
still in the process of planning one’s family, is the best way to
insure that things go as well as possible during pregnancy.
A healthy start in life is the best advantage. It is worth the extra effort.
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