Published on: 07 April 2018
Last Updated on: 25 July 2024
Prenatal vitamins are one of the first things that your doctor will recommend as soon as you get pregnant. This is one piece of advice that you shouldn’t ignore at any cost. It’s not for nothing that prenatal vitamins are considered to be the cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy. Regular intake of prenatal vitamins can help you to avoid complications and give birth to a healthy baby. Here are all that you must know about prenatal vitamins.
Are prenatal vitamins and multivitamins the same?
Many pregnant women think that since it’s about taking vitamin and mineral supplements, multivitamins will be equally effective. But that is not the case. Prenatal vitamins are loaded with appropriate amounts of minerals and vitamins needed to sustain and support a healthy pregnancy, especially folic acid and iron. Your regular multi-vitamins are not formulated to provide you the same effect.
Why are prenatal vitamins essential during pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, your nutritional requirements become higher. This is because your body has to sustain the baby growing within your womb. Having a healthy diet is not enough to provide all the nutrients that your body needs. Prenatal vitamins ensure that this nutrient gap is fulfilled effectively. In other words, prenatal vitamins make sure that your baby’s growth and development is not impacted due to any kind of nutritional deficiency in your diet.
What should you look for in your prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins come packed with different nutrients in varying amounts. The ingredients are meant to provide nutritional support to your body throughout your pregnancy and even during your preconception and post-delivery period. Among the essential ingredients to look for in your prenatal vitamins are the following:
Folic acid
Calcium
Iron
Omega 3s
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Zinc
Iodine
How to select your prenatal vitamins?
While there are many prenatal vitamins available in the market, not all of them are created equal. That means all of them will not be equally effective for your body. You have to select a bottle of prenatal vitamins that will ensure you maximum nutrients and help you to have a healthy pregnancy. If you are looking for such effective prenatal vitamins but are not sure which one to choose, check out the SmartyPants Prenatal Complete Review. These prenatal vitamins are formulated to make sure that your baby receives all the nutrients needed for proper growth and development.
Can prenatal vitamins substitute for a healthy diet?
Prenatal vitamins are meant to provide your body with the required nutrients that you can’t get from your food. However, that doesn’t mean you can substitute a healthy diet with your prenatal. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is essential during pregnancy. At the same time, you will have to take your prenatal vitamins as well. You can’t avoid any of them. Also, taking prenatal vitamins doesn’t mean you are free to indulge in unhealthy food during pregnancy. So, stick to a healthy diet as well as to your prenatal vitamins all through your pregnancy.
I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.
City living hasn’t always been dubbed as a healthy choice. However, it appears things have changed dramatically in recent years.
These days, city living is healthier than it’s ever been. Thanks to a dedication to getting people happier and healthier, steps have been taken to improve city life. Here, we’ll look at why it’s become a healthier option to live in the city.
Companies have started to encourage healthier living :
In the past few years, businesses have started to see the benefits of encouraging their employees to lead a healthier life. These days, over 90% of business leaders know just how important wellness is to the productivity of their employees.
After all, the healthier an employee is, the less likely they’ll be to take time off sick. They will also have bundles more energy, making them far more productive than if they were to lead an unhealthy lifestyle.
So, how exactly are companies encouraging healthier living? Well, some provide exercise classes during lunch. Others offer meditation and counseling to protect an employee’s mental health. There are a lot of ways companies are striving for a healthier workplace and it’s really starting to pay off.
Cities have begun adopting green spaces and cycle lanes :
The cities themselves have also become healthier. Authorities are investing in greener areas, as well as adding more cycle lanes. While the reason behind this is largely down to protecting the environment, it has ultimately led more people to become healthier.
At one time, traveling by car was the way to get to and from work. However, as more awareness has been raised about the impact cars are having on the environment, more people than ever before are choosing to ditch their cars and invest in bicycles instead. The introduction of more cycle lanes has encouraged more bicycle stores such as Brompton, to open up in new city locations.
If you take a look at some of the happiest and healthiest places in the world, you’ll see the majority of them use bicycles as their main form of transportation. Is it a coincidence? Absolutely not! Staying active and cycling around rather than driving, really helps to keep you, fitter, while also doing wonders for the environment.
Fitness is now actively encouraged :
Fitness has become extremely popular in recent years. Within cities, you’ll find a huge range of exercise classes, healthy dine-out options, and healthy activities to partake in. People, as a whole, want to get fitter.
Social media has played a large role in the fitness industry boom. Fitness gurus have become extremely popular, encouraging people to get healthier and sign up for local gyms and fitness classes. So, those looking to stay fit and active have plenty of options in the city.
Cities generate more social interaction :
Another more indirect reason people are healthier in cities is that they experience much more social interaction than those living in the country. This is especially true for those living within an inner-city environment.
Social interaction has a strong connection to mental health. Those who do not interact regularly with people, tend to be more depressed, lonely, and anxious than those who do. Of course, the more people there are to interact with, the more active you’re going to be. So, city living helps to improve both physical and mental health.
The above is some of the main reasons cities have become healthier. It’s come hand in hand with environmental protection as people strive to reduce their impact on the environment. Millennials, in particular, are becoming healthier, largely down to the recent campaigns over getting fitter and leading a healthier lifestyle.
Many people who have braces for the first time go through a period of adjustment, and this is entirely normal. You will have to get used to having your braces, of course, and this comes with getting used to eating with braces as well as getting used to cleaning your teeth with braces. But when you have braces, especially when they are first installed, you may also experience a little discomfort, since the wires and brackets of the braces may be rubbing against the tissue of the mouth. If you are experiencing some pain with your braces, here’s how you can effectively ease the pain.
Make use of orthodontic wax:
Braces can be quite abrasive at the beginning, especially since you’re not used to them yet, so one effective solution would be to make use of orthodontic wax. You can simply apply a bit of the wax to areas where the braces’ wires and brackets come in contact with soft tissue, such as that along your inner cheeks and lips. When you apply the wax to these areas, it can serve as a barrier between the tissue and your braces. With proper application, you can prevent sores, abrasions, and cuts as well.
Use a pain reliever or gel:
Of course, you can also take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help relieve the pain from the braces, but you can make use of an analgesic gel which you can apply orally as well. Directly apply the analgesic gel to your teeth and gums to help alleviate discomfort.
Make use of a night guard:
If the pain from your braces is bad and you would also like to prevent a breakdown or damage to the enamel of your teeth from grinding, you can make use of a night guard as well. A night guard is effective because you can go for special customized ones which can really help ease the pain related to having braces.
Night guards work much like orthodontic wax in the sense that they can serve as a shield and barrier between the sensitive tissue in your mouth and your braces, as the experts from http://www.braces4yourlife.com confirm. When you wear a night guard, you can prevent different areas from becoming snagged or caught on your braces while you are sleeping. And while you can go for a one-size-fits-all, generic mouth guard, it would be a better idea to opt for a customized night guard as this will fit precisely with the contours of your own mouth. Your orthodontist can easily create a mold for your mouth which will serve as a unique pattern for the night guard. This impression or mold can then be sent off to the lab, where they can create and fabricate the customized night guard.
The good news is that living with braces will get easier over time, so you don’t have too much cause for concern. Before you know it, your teeth will be perfectly aligned and even, and you will not only have a better smile – you will have better oral health as well.
Read Also:
18 Surprising Celebrities With Braces
5 Ways To Prevent Severe Dental Problems
Everyone experiences heartburn from time to time or has the occasional upset stomach. But for those who experience these symptoms more frequently, it could be a sign of long-term Gastrointestinal Conditions.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 60 to 70 million people in the U.S. are affected by gastrointestinal issues. But what exactly is a" gastrointestinal issue," and what parts of your body can experience the impact?
Gastrointestinal Health 101
The gastrointestinal system gives your body what it needs to function. The system breaks down food, extracts nutrients from it, and converts these nutrients into energy. It also protects your body against harmful substances by blocking them from your bloodstream.
The gastrointestinal tract primarily consists of the following:
Esophagus:
A hollow tube running through the neck and chest that connects the mouth to the stomach. Muscles in the esophagus push food into the stomach.
Stomach:
A large organ that holds foods and breaks them down using enzymes and acids.
Liver:
The organ that filters toxins from the blood and produce bile, which further helps break down food into proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Gallbladder:
A sac-like organ that stores the bile the liver produces then releases it as necessary.
Pancreas:
An organ that produces enzymes like insulin, which aids in the breakdown of sugars.
Small intestine:
As the stomach passes along food, this organ starts breaking it down while absorbing the majority of its nutrients.
Large intestine:
This organ contains billions of bacteria that turn food into waste (feces). At this same time, the large intestines remove water and electrolytes from what is left of the food for your body's use.
Rectum:
A small space at the end of the large intestine provides temporary storage for waste.
When you eat something, each of these organs plays a role. To kick off the process, saliva begins to break down food. With the help of other enzymes, food continues breaking down as your system propels it by muscular contractions through the digestive tract. This process is called peristalsis.
Gastrointestinal organs and their fluids exist in a delicate balance. Diet, stress, and illness can upset this balance and cause pain or discomfort.
Common Gastrointestinal Conditions and Disorders
There are a variety of common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders like constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux. Though some Gastrointestinal Conditions are genetic and outside of your control, you can still prevent many complications or subdue symptoms by eating a balanced diet, practicing healthy bowel habits, and following the CDC guidelines for cancer screening.
Some common disorders—like celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, and leaky gut syndrome—are generally manageable with proper care and direction from medical professionals. If you experience severe pain or think you may have a more serious condition, see your doctor as soon as possible.
1. Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. People with this problem cannot eat food made from these substances because it triggers a response in their small intestine, which over time becomes inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients.
If you have celiac disease, you'll feel sick after eating something with gluten. Symptoms include bloating and gas, abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea. Though there's presently no cure, most people who follow a strict gluten-free diet can reduce flare-ups and promote intestinal healing.
3. GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD) is a condition where your stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, irritating the esophagus's lining. It is essentially the same as acid reflux, except the symptoms are more intense and frequent.
Common symptoms include a burning sensation in your chest after eating, having difficulty swallowing, and feeling like there's a lump in your throat. You may also regurgitate food or sour liquid. People with GERD often feel worse at night, which can cause other problems like a chronic cough, laryngitis, asthma, and disrupted sleep.
There are over-the-counter remedies such as antacids and H2 blockers, but more intense symptoms may require prescription medication. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, eating large meals, or eating late at night can aggravate GERD.
3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common GI disorder that affects the large intestine. If you have this chronic condition, you will feel abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
While the exact cause of IBS is unknown, certain factors play a role. Someone with IBS may have abnormalities in their digestive system or may have had a bacterial or viral infection that left an overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines. Changes in gut microbes can also lead to IBS.
Though there is no cure for IBS, taking medications, and making lifestyle changes can alleviate the symptoms. For example, you can exercise regularly, eat smaller meals, and focus on minimizing stress. In terms of regulating your diet, you can try consuming more probiotics and limiting caffeine, dairy products, and spicy foods. Medicalprices.co.uk has a complete guide about IBS.
4. Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerant individuals cannot break down lactose, the natural sugar in milk. If you're lactose intolerant, your small intestine doesn't produce enough lactase (the enzyme) to digest lactose (the milk sugar). Undigested lactose then moves into your large intestine, where it interacts with the bacteria, causing bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Aside from avoiding dairy products altogether, lactose intolerants can take over-the-counter lactase enzyme tablets that aid in dairy digestion.
5. Leaky Gut Syndrome
As part of the digestive tract, the intestines allow water and nutrients to pass through their walls while blocking harmful substances. The ease with which substances pass through the intestinal wall is called intestinal permeability. When this permeability becomes compromised, toxins and bacteria may escape from the intestines into the bloodstream.
This condition is called a leaky gut syndrome, and if left unchecked, it can cause inflammation throughout the body. Symptoms may include bloating, gas, food sensitivity, fatigue, and skin problems. Though more research needs to be conducted on this condition, a few probable causes include:
Consuming too much sugar or alcohol
Long term use of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen
Deficiencies in vitamins A and D and zinc
Chronic inflammation throughout the body
Stress
Bacterial imbalance in the intestines
Yeast overgrowth in the digestive system
To reduce symptoms, you can work on improving your overall gut health. First, you can limit your carb intake, as harmful bacteria thrive on sugar. You can also increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your body by eating foods with probiotics such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
You may also want to consider powdered collagen protein supplements. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that gives structure to connective tissues, ligaments, and skin. The protein also provides structure to blood vessels and may strengthen compromised intestinal walls.
Avoiding a Pain in the Gut
While some gastrointestinal conditions can be severe, other GI issues and symptoms are common and manageable with lifestyle changes. If you maintain a healthy diet with your unique gastrointestinal needs in mind, you can treat your symptoms and live free of gut pain.
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