Nutrition.
Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of an organism. It includes food intake, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion.
The diet of an organism is what it eats, which is largely determined by the availability and palatability of foods. For humans, a healthy diet includes preparation of food and storage methods that preserve nutrients from oxidation, heat or leaching, and that reduce risk of foodborne illness.
History of human nutrition.
The first recorded dietary advice, carved into a Babylonian stone tablet in about 2500 BC, cautioned those with pain inside to avoid eating onions for three days. Scurvy, later found to be a vitamin C deficiency, wasDuring the early stages of pregnancy, since the placenta is not yet formed, there is no mechanism to protect the embryo from the deficiencies which may be inherent in the mother's circulation. Thus, it is critical that an adequate amount of nutrients and energy is consumed.
Multiple micronutrient supplements taken with iron and folic acid can improve birth outcomes for women in low income countries. These supplements reduce numbers of low birth weight babies, small for gestational age babies and stillbirths in women who may not have many micronutrients in their usual diets. Undernourished women can benefit from having dietary education sessions and, balanced energy and protein supplements.
A review showed that dietary education increased the mother’s protein intake and helped the baby grow more inside the womb.[16] The balanced protein and energy supplement lowered risk of stillbirth and small babies and increased weight gain for both the mother and baby. Although more research is needed into the longer term effects on the mothers’ and infants’ health, the short term effects look promising.
Supplementing one's diet with foods rich in folic acid, fruits and dark green leafy vegetables (Excluding citrus) helps to prevent neural tube birth defects in the fetus. In addition, prenatal vitamins typically contain increased amounts of folic acid iodine, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and calcium over the amounts found in standard multi-vitamins.
Zinc supplements have reduced preterm births by around 14% mainly in low income countries. No other benefits were seen4. The World Health Organisation does not routinely recommend zinc supplementation for pregnant women because there is not enough good quality evidence.
For women with low calcium diets, taking calcium supplementation can reduce their risk of preeclampsia. It has also been suggested that calcium can reduce numbers of births that happen before the 37th week of pregnancy (preterm birth).However a more recent review looking into other benefits of calcium supplementation did not find any improvement in numbers of preterm or low birth weight babies. There is not enough good quality to research to suggest best doses and timing of calcium supplementation.
Nutrition during pregnancy.
During the early stages of pregnancy, since the placenta is not yet formed, there is no mechanism to protect the embryo from the deficiencies which may be inherent in the mother's circulatio Thus, it is critical that an adequate amount of nutrients and energy is consumed.
Multiple micronutrient supplements taken with iron and folic acid can improve birth outcomes for women in low income countries.These supplements reduce numbers of low birth weight babies, small for gestational age babies and stillbirths in women who may not have many micronutrients in their usual diets Undernourished women can benefit from having dietary education sessions and, balanced energy and protein supplements.
A review showed that dietary education increased the mother’s protein intake and helped the baby grow more inside the The balanced protein and energy supplement lowered risk of stillbirth and small babies and increased weight gain for both the mother and baby] Although more research is needed into the longer term effects on the mothers’ and infants’ health, the short term effects look promising.
Supplementing one's diet with foods rich in folic acid, fruits and dark green leafy vegetables (Excluding citrus) helps to prevent neural tube birth defects in the fetus. In addition, prenatal vitamins typically contain increased amounts of folic acid, iodine, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and calcium over the amounts found in standard multi-vitamins.
Zinc supplements have reduced preterm births by around 14% mainly in low income countries] No other benefits were seen4. The World Health Organisation does not routinely recommend zinc supplementation for pregnant women because there is not enough good quality evidence.
For women with low calcium diets, taking calcium supplementation can reduce their risk of preeclampsia . It has also been suggested that calcium can reduce numbers of births that happen before the 37th week of pregnancy (preterm birth). However a more recent review looking into other benefits of calcium supplementation did not find any improvement in numbers of preterm or low birth weight babies.There is not enough good quality to research to suggest best doses and timing of calcium supplementation.
Pregnant women are advised to pay attention to the foods they eat during pregnancy, such as soft cheese and certain fish, in order to reduce the risk of exposure to substances or bacteria that may be harmful to the developing fetus. This can include food pathogens and toxic food components, alcohol, and dietary supplements such as vitamin A and potentially harmful pathogens such as listeria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella.Dietary vitamin A is obtained in two forms which contain the preformed vitamin (retinol), that can be found in some animal products such as liver and fish liver oils, and as a vitamin A precursor in the form of carotene, which can be found in many fruits and vegetables.Intake of large amounts or, conversely, a deficiency, of retinol has been linked to birth defects and abnormalities.It is noted that a 100 g serving of liver may contain a large amount of retinol, so it is best that it is not eaten daily during pregnancy. Excessive amounts of alcohol have been proven to cause fetal alcohol syndrome. The World Health Organization recommends that alcohol should be avoided entirely during pregnancy, given the relatively unknown effects of even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy] Although seafood contains high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for both mother and the baby, but there is no consensus on consuming seafood during pregnancy. Pregnant women are advised to eat seafood in moderation.
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