Pregnancy and Health Care

Archive for the ‘Nutrition’ Category

Specific nutrients in breast milk
High in lactose and oligosaccharides, balanced intake of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids of long chain (LCPUFA) and essential fatty acids guarantee, appropriate concentration of vitamins (except vitamin D) and balanced supply of minerals is, in summary, the nutritional analysis breast milk.

Some of these nutrients are clearly identified and studied in depth. Others not so much as oligosaccharides, despite being the third component in quantity, after lactose and lipids.

Have been isolated about 130 different oligosaccharides in human milk, all composed of five monosaccharides: glucose and galactose (lactose), fucose, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and sialic acid (N-acetilneuroamínico), in widely varying quantities. On the latter many current research focus, its possible association with brain development and learning.

There is evidence that the contribution of sialic acid supplemented infant animals to experimental results in an increase in its concentration in the brain and affects learning ability. But experts say the timing of administration is critical, since in older animals changes were not substantial. This finding could be of interest to evaluate their inclusion in infant formulas.

In humans, studies are still scarce, but with hard facts. It has been shown how the membranes of neurons contain 20 times more sialic acid than other cellular membranes. It is believed that this substance is critical to the structure and establishment of connections between neurons (synapses), to facilitate neurotransmission.

There is evidence that breastfed babies have higher resistance to gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract and infant formula makers. This is due to the presence in breast milk of a conglomerate of bioactive substances, such as immunoglobulins, cytokines, prolactin, leukocytes, lactoferrin, lysozyme and oligosaccharides.

The oligosaccharides act as prebiotics, to reduce the survival of pathogenic microorganisms and promote growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli from the intestinal flora of the baby.

In infant formulas, the prebiotic inulin is used to man-made products that balance the intestinal system. Part of ingested oligosaccharides resist digestion and intestinal digestive and become substrate for colonic bacterial fermentation. During fermentation, bacteria produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs: acetate, butyrate, propionate).

These compounds are responsible for the decrease in intestinal pH, which creates an unfavorable environment for the growth of some pathogenic bacteria (E. coli “,” Shigella “,” Faecal Streptococcus “and” Clostridium sp “). This in turn generates favorable conditions for the growth of bifidobacteria. It is proven that an exclusive diet of breast milk between the first and third months of life increases exponentially the number of bifidobacteria and these are the predominant colonic flora.

This intestinal balance positively affects the body’s defenses and there is a propensity to the formation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and allergic reactions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis.

The guidelines that follow are designed to healthy adult populations. The proposed lots are quite large and that is because they can be used by people with different caloric and nutritional requirements. It is important not to consume fewer servings than the range indicated below, leaving the list by hand during the day so you can check your food intake. If your breakfast and lunch were very rich in grains then try the other meals are richer in food groups that are lacking. If you suffer any illness or are not sure always consult your doctor or nutritionist.

6-11 servings of grain daily
1 serving is:
1 slice of bread (30 gr)
1 pancake
3 / 4 cup dry cereal
1 / 2 cup rice or pasta

2-4 servings of fruit daily
1 serving is:
1 medium fruit (pear, orange, apple, etc.).
1 / 2 cup of cut fruit
3 plums

3-5 servings of vegetables daily
1 serving is:
1 cup raw vegetables
1 / 2 cup cooked vegetables

3-4 servings daily
1 serving is:
1 cup milk (may be you take it you use it alone or in preparations like mashed potatoes, pudding, etc.).
3 slices of cheese machine
1 yoghurt (200 g)

2-3 servings daily of protein products
1 serving is:
meat, fish or poultry the size of a hamburger
2 eggs

You might also eat foods that are mixed together like pizza. In that case you have to have the components: bread, cheese, tomato, etc..

Good nutrition
Feeding during pregnancy is especially important since good nutrition of the mother is one of the key components for success. Never forget that the baby is fed through you and what you eat determines what you get it, or do not receive.

The key is always in the variety and quantity, two little words that contain in themselves the real truth.

When we speak of variety we mean that you eat with the 5 basic groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs and dairy. The absence of any of these in your diet will result in the absence of any one (or several) of the essential nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Even the concept of variety is applied within each food group, for example, the broader is our choice of fruit or vegetables, the safer we will receive all that nutrienes that this group brings us.

The concept of quantity is basically related to the rations that we ingest each food group. This concept is somehow related to the concept of variety: over-consumption of any of the groups can take the place it should occupy another food group. If for example my diet is too high in grains, probably one of the groups is hindered in quantity, so the range will be affected. It is important to take care not to consume any group or in excess or deficit because the balance of all foods provide the right balance in our diet.

The safety of caffeine consumption during pregnancy is controversial.

Studies suggest that:

* The consumption of small amounts of caffeine probably does not affect your fertility and appears to be safe during pregnancy.
* You may consume up to 12 ounces of caffeinated coffee per day during pregnancy.

The amount of caffeine in coffee varies. It depends on the type of grain used, serving and how coffee is prepared. Caffeine is also found in chocolate, tea, cola, some soft drinks, ice coffee and some drugs without a prescription.

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Calcium is used by all body cells. Help keep your bones and teeth healthy and strong. When a woman does not get enough calcium through diet, the body takes calcium from bones. Over time, this loss may significantly weaken bones and lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and prone to fracture.

The recommended amount of calcium for women between the ages of 19 and 50 years, whether or not pregnant, is 1.000 milligrams (mg) per day. For adolescent girls until the age of 18 years is 1,300 mg daily. The amount of calcium you need daily remains the same before, during and after pregnancy.

During the last two trimesters of pregnancy and lactation period, your body absorbs more calcium from food than when not pregnant. Your baby needs calcium for the formation of more sound and healthy development of teeth and bones. If you do not get enough calcium through your diet during pregnancy, calcium your baby needs to be gained from his bones.

Unfortunately, many women do not get enough calcium. On average, women earn only 700 mg daily of calcium. Many women do not realize, for example, most multivitamins and prenatal vitamins contain less than one third of the recommended amount of calcium daily.

While food and how it feel to each, is subjective, there are certain foods or habits that may be more appropriate at the time of going to bed, so let’s see what options may be helpful and which less so:

“It has been recommended intake of one cup of warm milk to fall asleep. This is because of the tryptophan present in the milk, which is a sleep-inducing substance. Other foods containing tryptophan are, bananas, oats, honey and poultry.

“If you’re thinking of an ideal snack for a nightcap when you opt for a bowl of warm milk with cereal, a yogurt with some biscuits or a slice of bread with cream cheese, any of these alternatives will also enhance your triptofeno blood. On the contrary, avoid consuming snakcs that are only carbohydrates and sugars, and that may adversely affect your sleep.

“Evita also go to bed hungry, you can be a distraction when having to sleep. Of course, this does not mean you eat too much at night: the two ends will keep you away from the arms of Morpheus.

“Stay well outside the high-fat foods, as if that were not enough excess fat can make about your health, and your silhouette, some evidence suggests it also may be negative to maintain a proper sleeping pattern.

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Iron
Iron is a mineral that produces oxygen combined hemoglobin, a protein that is responsible for transporting the oxygen reaching our lungs to all body cells. It is also an essential component of collagen, a protein found in bones, cartilage and connective tissues. Besides being present in many enzymes in our body, iron is an important component of myoglobin, another protein that plays a key role in transporting oxygen to the muscles.

Iron intake during pregnancy is very important because a large portion of that amount is used by the mother to increase the amount of blood in 50% and the rest of iron is used by the fetus and placenta to develop. To meet this requirement the mother has two mechanisms. On the one hand can increase the volume of iron in the diet and on the other side can use their own reserves.
Generally a mother who comes to pregnancy in ideal conditions, ie with adequate iron stores without eating and supplements during pregnancy, pregnancy ends having consumed all their reserves. But in most cases the situation is not ideal, that is deficient in iron and anemia in these cases will likely be a common denominator during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters.
The nutritional anemias are most common during pregnancy. The iron deficiency anemia (iron deficiency anemia) represents 75% of all diagnosed and its cause is primarily due to the need to increase iron intake.

The source of higher content of iron include red meat, chicken and fish, and the liver which has the highest concentration. Also found in egg yolks, legumes, vegetables and grains such as lentils, nuts, kale, spinach and tomato, but a kind of iron that is not very good absorption and a lesser amount. It is therefore essential for all supplement vegan diet drug.
For the iron in these foods are absorbed by the body properly requires the presence of vitamin C, so we recommend that accompany these meals with fresh orange juice freshly squeezed.
Unlike vitamin C, caffeine-containing products interfere and decrease iron absorption, and in this case it is recommended not to eat tea, coffee or chocolate with main meals.

Pregnancy is a very delicate stage in which your body needs much more nutrients, in sufficient quantities, difficult to fill. A balanced diet will promote growth and development of the baby and help you maintain your energy level throughout pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.

So if you’re vegetarian, you still further control your diet. Nutrition during this critical time, keep in mind that the baby absorbs all the nutrients directly from you, and you must have good stocks. Therefore, if you want to be pregnant is a good idea since even before introducing the necessary changes in your diet.

During pregnancy your energy needs increase by 10-15%, but your needs for minerals and vitamins in a 20-100%. Do not be afraid of not eating enough protein, so you only need about 10-20 grams more than women who are not pregnant. Iron needs increase substantially, they are necessary for the formation of red blood cells. This is offset by increased iron absorption by the body and reduced iron losses (menstruation disappears).

However, there is risk of iron deficiency during the third trimester of pregnancy and therefore double the recommended intake of iron (15 mg / day to 30 mg / day) during this period. Good sources of iron are legumes, tofu, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, whole grains and green leafy vegetables. Include in your diet zinc-rich foods such as legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Calcium works with the proper formation of bones and teeth of your unborn baby and your nerves, muscles and the functioning of the blood. During pregnancy, calcium absorption increases. They recommend the tahini, algae hiziki and broccoli.

During pregnancy and lactation must significantly increase your intake of nutrients instead increase your calorie intake only moderately, consuming about 2,500 calories a day.

Once you become pregnant, should consume between 100-300 extra calories per day. If your weight is within normal limits, should not increase more than 35 pounds during pregnancy. If you have trouble maintaining a healthy weight, if this can be different.

Before becoming pregnant, you should try to eat healthy foods to be as healthy as possible. Many of us know how we can improve our diet, but also know how difficult that may be changing what we eat and how much we eat.

It may be easier to incorporate more healthy foods in your diet before you leave foods that are bad for health. To start, add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. This is the move towards a more balanced diet including:

Carbohydrates
or Carbohydrates should be a little more than half of what we eat. Try to get the most whole grain carbohydrates such as bread and rice. Avoid sugary foods and drinks such as candy and soda.

Proteins
or Protein helps the growth of the fetus. They are found in meat and dairy products as well as tofu and beans. Even if you follow a vegetarian diet, strict or not, you can enjoy a healthy pregnancy. However, check with your supplier of health care to make sure you eat enough protein.

Fats
or fats help absorb vitamins. Most people get enough. During pregnancy, it is important to incorporate fats from fish and vegetables.

Fibers
or fibers are derived from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Eat at least 3-5 servings per day. Many women experience constipation during pregnancy. Foods that contain fiber help prevent it