5 Essential Nutrients For Maintaining Optimal Maternal Health

Published on: 29 August 2023 Last Updated on: 12 September 2024

Is there anything more miraculous and joyful than carrying a piece of you for nine straight months? But pregnancy is certainly not a journey full of roses. From consuming the right diet to limiting exercise, there is so much to consider. But out of all, eating right during pregnancy is mega important.

It is really vital for nurturing a healthy baby and mama. But with so many pregnancy nutrition rules, it can get kind of confusing and overwhelming fast! Well, guess what, here is a guide that will take you through the 5 essential nutrients every expecting mother should consume in the right amount.

So, let’s get started…

Prenatal Vitamins: What Are Those?

In simple terms, prenatal vitamins refer to multivitamins for expecting mothers. In comparison to a usual multivitamin, the former has more nutrients that might make the pregnancy healthier. Usually, the medical professional assisting you will prescribe it, but if he doesn’t, you can always buy it from stores with a prescription.

The human body uses minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients present in food to stay healthy and strong. At the time of pregnancy, as we all know, the mother passes down all necessary nutrients to her embryo. Thus, your body asks for more vitamins when you are pregnant. That is exactly the job of prenatal vitamins.

Which Nutrients Are Most Important For A Perfect Maternal Health?

Before you go bonkers, let’s break it down to the essential nutrients preggos really need more of. Here are 5 all-star vitamins and minerals to help maintain tip-top maternal health:

The VIP Folate

Alright, all you soon-to-be mamas, listen up. Folate (aka folic acid) should be topping your prenatal vitamin rockstar list. This essential B vitamin helps prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine when taken before conception and in early pregnancy. We’re talking about the next level vital for fetal development.

Folate also helps produce new cells, so mama needs extra to accommodate a growing babe. Most docs recommend women start supplementing 400-800 mcg of folate at least a month before pregnancy. But hey, better late than never, if you’re already pregnant, try to achieve optimal maternal health with a Specialist Obstetrician!

Supercharged Iron

Fun fact: A developing fetus needs lots of mineral iron to form their blood supply and other tissues. So, in turn, mama needs way more iron to share with baby! When you’re expecting, your iron needs to jump by up to 50%.

Unfortunately, the vitamin C in my OJ every morning doesn’t cut it. Most mamas-to-be need an additional iron supplement of 30-60 mg on top of a balanced diet. Too little iron during pregnancy zaps your energy and can lead to stuff like anemia. No one wants that! So, rev up on iron-rich foods plus a prenatal vitamin to stay energized.

The Calcium Extravaganza

Did you know baby needs around 30 grams of calcium just to build their tiny growing skeleton? Well, they have to get that supply from somewhere! The calcium in Mama’s body works overtime during pregnancy to help form the baby’s bones and teeth.

That’s why pregnant women need around 1,000 mg of calcium per day. Goodbye, plain almond milk, hello, extra cheesy pizza! Jokes aside, ensure you get adequate calcium from dairy, leafy greens, supplements, or all of the above. Your wee one will thank you for strong bones.

Omega-3s For Winning

You’ve probably heard omega-3 fatty acids are clutch for heart and brain health. Well, it turns out they’re essential for a baby’s development, too. These healthy fats help build a baby’s nervous system and retinal tissues. They’re also linked to lower risks of preterm births and postpartum depression.

That’s why experts recommend at least 250–300 mg of omega-3s like DHA daily for expecting mothers. Load up on fatty fish, nuts, and seeds – or just grab a fish oil supplement as an insurance policy to meet your levels. Consider omega-3s a must for both of your well-being.

The Magical Magnesium

Don’t sleep on the mineral magnesium during pregnancy! It plays a role in so many vital stuff: bone growth, regulating blood pressure, aiding enzymes and metabolism, and muscle and nerve function. Oh, and helping build DNA and RNA. NBD!

Unfortunately, the typical Western diet often lacks enough magnesium. Pregnant women need at least 350–400 mg daily from food and supplements. Get your fill from dark leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, yogurt, and more magnesium-rich sources. Your body and babe will thank you!

Mamas, Take Care Of Your Mental Health Too…

You are already doing so much, make sure to sit back and relax. Pregnancy might seem like a 9-month-long journey, but trust us when we say it passes in the blink of an eye. All those days will be missed by you later. So, make sure to take care of your mental health too.

Surround yourself with positive people, listen to calm music, and avoid taking too much stress. Post-partum depression is inevitable, but you can always be cheerful in your approaches when the baby is growing inside you.

Eat whatever satisfies your soul, but make sure that it doesn’t have a negative impact on your baby. Your emotional strength is responsible for your physical strength, too. So, ensure to keep both of them balanced, positive, and cherishing.

Conclusion

There you have it, mamas – the crème de la crème nutrients for staying healthy during pregnancy! Prioritizing these all-star vitamins and minerals ensures you and your growing baby get all the key building blocks you need. Consult your doctor and add any supplements needed for optimal levels.

Your nutrient intake matters more than ever before – so eat well for two! With this, it’s a wrap on this comprehensive guide. But you will get to know more if you want to. Keep reading my articles, as they have a lot of beneficial information for my readers. Also, if you find this article helpful, do not forget to share your comments below.

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Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

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Nerves vs. Excitement: How To Manage Nerves And Perform At Your Best

Anyone who has ever been called to come and speak or perform in front of a public gathering knows the importance of holding nerves. From the time we are in school, some of us have dreaded raising our hands and speaking out the right answer even though we know what we are. We have looked at astonishment at so-called confident individuals and wondered what makes them do things that we cannot. Common terms like ‘performance anxiety, ‘stage fright’, ‘nervousness’, etc. are all common emotions and feelings that we harbor. The key is- how do we overcome the same? In this resource article, we are going to help a lot of people come to grips with their nerves. If you are someone who dreads talking in front of a crowd, we recommend that you stick around till the end of the article. Being ‘Nervous’ Versus Being ‘Excited’- How a Change in Terms Can Help: ‘I am too nervous; I can’t go out there and speak’! According to leading psychologists, a simple interchanging of the terms nervous and excited can go a long way in dispelling the fear. Rather than say or think that you are getting the nervous try and say to yourself that you are feeling excited. What you need to understand is that nervousness is associated with being a negative feeling. On the other hand, excitement is something that is deemed to be positive. This simple exercise wires your brain in a specific way, which then lets the body flow from the same feeling. For example, as soon as your brain starts comprehending that you are nervous, it sends a signal to your body, which then results in stomach pains and churnings. This is why you need to start feeling excited and look forward to the opportunity. There is a lot of energy that builds up in the body in such situations. The key is to effectively manage the same productively and positively. The ‘Fight’ and ‘Flight’ Instinct that Defines a Nervous State of Being: To understand these better leading scientists have spoken about the ‘Fight and Flight Syndrome’. They point out that whenever the brain is faced with a complex and problematic situation, it does one of two things- It either wants to escape and run away from the scenario. Or, It starts to swing madly to bring the situation under control. However, in some instances, and I am sure, you are going to relate to this, the brain goes into a hung position. Meaning, it neither fights nor flights. In this situation, the resultant action is a freeze! You get frozen and cannot do anything. According to experts, the fight or flight instinct needs to be properly managed by telling your brain some important things. What are those things? In very simple words, not every such scenario is going to be a life and death one. Meaning it is not at all serious and does not amount to anything. Once your brain can understand this, it starts processing emotions and feelings differently. Following this, it then sends these signals to the rest of your body. List of 5 Important Ways to Help Overcome Nervousness- In this section, we compile the top recommendations from the leading mental health experts to combat nervousness- 1. Undertake Adequate Preparation- According to scientists, 50% of all nervousness results from inadequate preparedness. This means that the more you are prepared, the lower will be your levels of nervousness. Reflect on your school days. Remember when did not know the answers to the question the teacher was asking, how you would try to avoid making eye contact? However, if you were prepared, you would not do the same. Practice makes perfect when it comes to combating nervousness. 2. Focus on ‘You’ providing Value to the Audiences- Whenever we are nervous, we keep thinking about ourselves. However, the key in this regard is to shift focus to the audiences that are sitting right in front of you. Start thinking of all the value, information, education, and enjoyment that you are going to give to the audiences. This will put you in comfortable headspace. Let me in you on a little secret. Audiences want everything should be about them. So, you can simply shift the spotlight on them. 3. Take Help from your Friends and Family Members- Leading comedians and artists have pointed out how having their near and dear ones in the audience helps them overcome stage fright. This is a simple, yet effective solution to combating nervousness on stage. Many also point out how they keep looking for their near ones in the audience and use them to make eye contact with different sections of the audience. This boosts their confidence and makes their brain understand the support there is on offer. 4. Breathe, Relax and Take it Easy- Remember, this is not a life-and-death situation. No one is perfect and even the best ones make mistakes. Once you can tune your brain accordingly, you will be able to get a hold of your nerves. Try breathing and being patient at all times. You can do mistakes, it is alright. Realize that you’ve done the work. The more relaxed you are, the better will you be able to convey. There will always be errors, and you should not worry about making them. 5. Engage with Positive Relaxation Techniques- In the last few years, relaxation strategies like Yoga, Massages, Aromatherapy, etc. have become very popular. They help channel positive energy within the body and calms down the senses. Regular meditation is great for your body mentally, as well as physically. By making such healthy practices a part of your daily life, you will be able to control your emotions in a much better way. Try meditating for 15 minutes every morning and see the difference. The Final Word: At the end of the day, you need to realize that we are all humans. We have a range of emotions, feelings, and characteristics that make us special in our way. No two individuals are the same and we must acknowledge the same. By paying attention to all the pointers in the article, you too can expect to combat nervousness and be better prepared for the next time you face the audience. Read Also: 5 Protein Enriched Food To Improve Mental Health 6 Effective Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

Top Health Benefits Of Drinking Beer According To Experts

The preferred alcoholic beverage for millions over the world has strong health benefits. Yes, you read that right. As compared to other forms of alcoholic beverages, beer is healthier, has a positive impact on your body, and allows you to keep critical illnesses at bay. For a very long time, scientific studies and health studies have shown how beer drinkers tend to live longer, have better cognitive abilities, and lowers stress. While a lot of reports state that wine has several anti-oxidants, the same can be said for beer as well. Its core ingredients are hops and barley, both of which are known for their anti-oxidant properties. In the following section, we take help from experts at Melvin Brewing to try and understand how beneficial beer is for your health. Beer has a Positive Impact on the Mental Health of an Individual: The natural properties of beer allow it to be a great agent for helping improve the mood. In other words, it helps majorly in lowering stress levels, reduces anxiety, and prevents people from getting into depression. The same cannot be said about harder alcoholic beverages like whiskey, vodka, rum, or gin. It should be pointed out that the above observation has been pointed out in the case of moderate drinkers. Heavy drinking is likely to reverse this and add to additional stresses and pressures. However, if you are drinking socially, with friends or colleagues once or twice a week in moderation, you can experience lesser fatigue levels and a more productive brain. Beer is Great for your Kidney and Helps Lowers Cholesterol: Studies have shown how drinking beer prevents the risks of kidney stones. Experts have pointed out that beer has a natural filtration process when it goes inside the body. This helps it remove any internal impurities and allows the same to be excreted out of the body through urine. As we have already mentioned, beer contains natural fibers like hops and barley. These fibers play a positive role in the reduction of LDL or bad levels of cholesterol. Fibre has been known to have several positive effects on the human body. It helps with maintaining blood sugar levels and controls cholesterol levels within the body. However, heavy drinking is likely to have the reverse effects as it reduces the body’s power to naturally absorb minerals and vitamins that come from dietary sources. Does Beer Help Improve Memory Focus and Brain Functions? According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, moderate drinking of beer promotes cognitive abilities. Why? Because hops, the major ingredient in beer has a property called ‘Xanthohumol’. This chemical is a proven agent that prevents brain and memory degradation. Similarly, historically, advanced civilization has attributed drinking to improving brain focus, attention, output, and productivity. Beer has selectively been seen to boost the retention power of the brain in many research subjects. Again, it should be pointed out that we are talking about drinking in moderate doses and not heavy ones. The positive effects can only be experienced if the individuals are drinking beer in moderate doses of one or two glasses per week. The Final Word: You would be surprised as we were when we first came across the positive health benefits of beer drinking. We tried to dig deeper and found that medical experts did not want to publicize the same for fear that this would act as a license to give drinkers the right to drink more. To conclude, beer has several positives, but only when it is consumed at moderate levels. If you are looking to add to the list of benefits, might we suggest you use the comments section and add to the list of health benefits of drinking beer? Read Also: 7 Modern Day Beer Drinking Etiquettes You Should Know How to Choose the Right Wine: Sommelier Tips Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Signs, Symptoms and Who Is At Risk?

Health Insurance Policy For Family – Here’s A List Of 5 Plans You Can Consider

In our current time which is characterised by dynamic lifestyles and unforeseen health challenges, the significance of family health insurance plans cannot be overstated. These comprehensive policies not only provide financial security but also grant families access to high-quality healthcare, ensuring the well-being of their loved ones. In this article, we will explore the profound importance of family health insurance plans and delve into the five best family health insurance plans, empowering you to make informed decisions that safeguard the health and happiness of your family. The Power Of Comprehensive Protection Family health insurance plans hold immense significance as they serve as a robust shield of protection against the uncertainties of health-related challenges that can affect any member of your family. These plans offer comprehensive coverage that extends beyond mere financial security, encapsulating the emotional well-being and health of your loved ones. By pooling the collective health needs of your family under a single policy, family health insurance plans grant you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family members are safeguarded against unexpected medical expenses. The significance of family health insurance plans lies in their ability to provide access to high-quality healthcare services. These plans often come with extensive networks of healthcare providers, ensuring that your family members can receive timely and appropriate medical attention. In a world where medical advancements are rapid and treatments are varied, these plans open doors to specialists, hospitals and clinics that offer specialised care, accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. Moreover, family health insurance plans underscore the importance of preventive care and early intervention. By covering a spectrum of preventive services, such as vaccinations, screenings and annual health check-ups, these plans promote a proactive approach to health management. This focus on prevention is not just a cost-saving measure but also a commitment to ensuring your family members' overall well-being by detecting potential health issues before they become major concerns. Access To Quality Healthcare One of the foremost advantages of family health insurance plans is the access they provide to high-quality healthcare services. These plans encompass a broad network of healthcare providers, including doctors, specialists, hospitals and clinics. This extensive network ensures that family members can receive timely medical attention from qualified professionals, which is essential for accurate diagnoses, effective treatments and proactive preventive care. Preventive Care And Early Intervention Family health insurance plans often emphasise the importance of preventive care and early intervention. Many policies cover a range of preventive services, such as diagnosis of diseases, routine check-ups, screenings and wellness programs. These services play a pivotal role in identifying potential health issues before they escalate into more severe conditions. By focusing on prevention, these plans not only promote better health outcomes but also contribute to reducing healthcare costs by addressing problems in their early stages, when they are more manageable and less expensive to treat. Financial Peace Of Mind The emotional well-being of your family members is intrinsically linked to their physical health. Family health insurance plans provide invaluable peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones are covered in times of medical emergencies or unexpected health concerns. This sense of security allows families to concentrate on the moments that matter most – fostering relationships, pursuing aspirations and embracing daily life – without the constant worry of potential financial strains due to unexpected healthcare costs. What Are The Crucial Needs Of A Family That Needs To Be Covered By Family Health Insurance? These plans are designed to offer a wide range of benefits, ensuring that your family's health and well-being are safeguarded against unexpected medical expenses. The benefits of this plan are as follows: Comprehensive Coverage One of the primary reasons these family health insurance plans are considered some of the best is the comprehensive coverage they offer. The plans cover a wide range of medical expenses, including hospitalisation, surgeries, doctor consultations, diagnostic tests and treatments. They also extend coverage to pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses, ensuring that your family is protected against various health-related contingencies. Family Floater Basis The plans operate on a family floater basis, allowing you to cover your entire family under a single roof. This feature is especially advantageous for families with multiple members, as the sum insured can be utilised by any family member as per their individual medical needs. This not only simplifies the management of insurance but also ensures that every family member has access to necessary medical care. Restoration Benefits Many of the family health insurance plans offer a unique restoration benefit, setting it apart from other insurance plans. If the sum insured is exhausted during the policy year due to claims, the plans automatically restore the entire sum insured amount for future hospitalisations. This invaluable feature ensures that your family's health coverage remains intact even in the face of successive medical events. Delivery And Maternity Expenses The policies provide coverage for maternity-related expenses, making them an excellent choice for families planning to expand. They cover pre-natal and post-natal expenses, childbirth-related expenses and medical care for the newborn. This feature addresses the significant medical costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Annual Health Check-ups Recognizing the importance of preventive care, the family health insurance plans offer annual health check-up benefits for family members covered under the policy. This encourages regular health screenings, early detection of potential health issues and proactive health management. No Claim Bonus For each claim-free year, many family health insurance policies offer a No-Claim Bonus (NCB) that increases the sum insured by a certain percentage, up to a specified limit. This rewards your family for maintaining good health prioritizing preventive care and not making any claim during a policy year. Day Care Procedures A good family health insurance policy is one that provides a sense of flexibility in its coverage. In addition to hospitalisations, many family health insurance plans cover daycare procedures as well, allowing your family members to receive necessary medical treatments without requiring extended hospitalisation. This feature ensures that your family has access to swift and effective treatments for various medical conditions. Emergency Ambulance Cover In case of medical emergencies, the family health insurance policies provide coverage for emergency ambulance services. This ensures timely transportation to the hospital when needed, eliminating any concerns about transportation costs during emergencies. Five Family Health Insurance Plans You Can Consider Based on the aforementioned benefits, to simplify your quest in picking the best family health insurance plan to safeguard your family, the following is the list of five plans offered by Star Health Insurance that you can consider: 1. Family Health Optima Insurance Plan The Family Health Optima Insurance Plan offered by Star Health Insurance is a comprehensive health insurance solution designed to secure the well-being of your entire family. This plan operates on a family floater basis, covering all family members under a single policy. It provides extensive coverage for hospitalisation, surgeries, doctor consultations and treatments. 2. Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy The Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy from Star Health Insurance is a robust health coverage solution tailored for families. This policy stands out with features like restoration of the sum insured, maternity and newborn cover, annual health check-ups, etc. This is the best-suited policy for a family of self, spouse and dependent children. 3. Star Women Care Insurance Policy This is a uniquely designed policy to cater to the needs of women in the family. This policy has a plethora of benefits including newborn cover, delivery expenses cover, mid-term inclusion, assisted reproduction treatment cover, etc. 4. Star Health Assure Insurance Policy This is the perfectly suited policy for a wide family that includes self, spouse, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law. With its enormous benefits and tailor-made features, this policy stands out in the crowd. Some of the unique coverage includes homecare treatment coverage, mid-term inclusion, automatic restoration of sum insured, newborn and delivery expenses coverage, etc. 5. Young Star Insurance Policy This is a unique policy for young families who have just started their family life. This policy is perfect for young couples. They can also add their dependent children in this policy as it offers coverage also in a floater basis. Conclusion Family health insurance plans represent more than just financial protection – they ensure a commitment to your family's health, well-being and security. By offering access to quality healthcare, promoting preventive care, providing financial peace of mind, offering flexibility and nurturing a culture of wellness, these plans play an integral role in shaping the present and future of your family's health journey. As you explore family health insurance options, you're not just investing in coverage; you're investing in the health and happiness of those who matter most. Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About Calcium In Water: By Experts What Is A Good Alternative To Wearing Dentures? 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5 Essential Nutrients For Maintaining Optimal Maternal Health

Prenatal Vitamins: What Are Those?