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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Spot It Early: 9 Common Signs of Addiction You Need to Look out For

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If you notice that your loved one has some of these symptoms but they don't want to go to the doctor, it could be because they have something to hide. 4. Manipulative Behavior: Drug and alcohol addictions are expensive. Depending on how much access a drug user has to cash, they may frequently be in need of more money to feed their habit. When combined with the threat of withdrawal symptoms, many addicts will choose to steal or manipulate their loved ones in order to get the money they need. They will come up with lies and tell stories in order to borrow more cash. They may also steal valuables from their loved ones that they can sell later for cash. 5. Unexplained Disappearances: Unexplained disappearances are a common indicator of addiction. In order to become an addict, you have to dedicate a lot of time to it. The more time an addict spends high, the less comfortable they tend to feel around friends and family members that don't use. Over time, they may start disappearing for a few hours. After a while, it could become more frequent with disappearances that last for days or even weeks. 6. Dishonesty: If you are using drugs and alcohol frequently, there are very few people in the world who will allow you to openly continue to your behavior. Many addicts feel they have to lie in order to support their habit. If you notice that you keep catching your loved one in lies but aren't sure what's at the root of it all, you should consider whether they might be using drugs or alcohol. 7. The frequency of Use: As mentioned earlier, many people who abuse substances start off by having more control over their use. Over time, they begin to develop a tolerance that causes their body to feel like it needs more just to get high. The more you ingest, the higher your chance of getting addicted. Many addicts feel like they can quit any time they want. This should be a red flag about someone's use since if the problem is being talked about, they probably should have already stopped. 8. Discovery of Drug Paraphernalia: If someone is using drugs, you may not always find their stash. But, you can usually find some evidence of their use, such as drug paraphernalia. Make sure if you confront a loved one about what you have found, that you have all your facts straight before you make the accusation. Most addicts will deny any evidence they are confronted with. 9. Development of a Tolerance: If you have been using drugs and alcohol yourself and you're concerned that you may be pushing it too far, you should consider whether or not you have developed a tolerance to the substances. Tolerance is your body's way of telling you that it has made a permanent adjustment to craving that substance. It's a dangerous indicator of addiction. Other Signs of Addiction: If you have any of the signs of addiction on this list, then it may be time for you to consider a recovery facility. But there is one more major sign left to mention - continuing despite negative consequences. If using substances has been leading to problems in your relationships or finances, then you need to take the problem seriously and get help today. Learn more about rehab here. More Helpful Advice: Now that you know the signs of addiction, you can keep an eye on your loved ones to make sure they stay safe and healthy. For more health and fitness advice, check out our other posts today. Read Also: Famous Alcoholics And The Symptoms Of Their Addiction How To Know If You Have An Addiction: 7 Common Signs Not On The Straight And Narrow: 4 Telltale Signs Of Drug Use In Teens

Is There Such Thing As A Functioning Alcoholic?

You might have heard the term “functioning alcoholic” and wondered what it even means. Then you might be searching the meaning of the term and what it means to be a functional alcoholic. Then let's throw some light on the meaning of functioning alcoholic for your better understanding. We often relate alcoholism with people who are addicted and unable to function properly in their lives. This stereotype of alcoholic individuals seems to be not accurate. This is because several individuals who are alcoholics seem to function properly and deal with their daily tasks properly. If this is the case then why are these individuals living a regular life while being alcoholic? While other groups of alcoholic people are addicted to alcohol but cannot function properly because of their addiction. Therefore in this article, we not only discuss what is a functioning alcoholic but also how they differ from those with more visible signs of alcohol dependency. Perception About Individuals Battling Addiction Your concept or perception of an alcoholic will change when you learn how a functioning alcoholic person works. They are capable of living or maintaining a normal life while battling alcohol addiction. At one glance you might not even know this person might be alcoholic as they are capable of doing all their daily duties smoothly. Therefore, why was this term created which means someone who is functioning even when dealing with addiction? This challenges the common stereotype of an alcoholic person who lives an undisciplined and disheveled life. The term “functioning alcoholic” could be used to describe a person’s condition but it is not officially recognized. In the field of psychiatry, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) doesn't recognize this term officially. However, several professionals use this term to describe a specific alcoholic person's condition. So understanding the phenomenon of the functioning alcoholic is important as it helps identify people who are going through this hardship. When you recognize a functional alcoholic you can help them get the right treatment which will get them better. More often than not, functioning alcoholics hide their struggles with addiction while maintaining a normal facade. So, it becomes harder for you to recognize them and get them correctly diagnosed. Therefore you must read this article to know how to identify a functioning alcoholic. So that you can help them get the right treatment for recovery. What Is A Functioning Alcoholic? A functioning alcoholic is someone who appears to live a normal life while dealing with alcohol addiction. These individuals you will observe can do all the regular tasks and maintain a lifestyle without alcohol overriding their lives. Even being addicted to alcohol they can hold down a job and fulfill family obligations. Not only that they can excel in some areas of their lives without alcohol overriding their entire life. Therefore, it becomes hard for you to identify these individuals who look perfectly normal from the outside while dealing with addiction. These individuals know how to keep their professional and social lives separate from their addiction. You see, functional alcoholics are aware of their alcoholic addiction which helps them hide it easily. They become skilled at hiding their shortcomings from the world. However, this addiction of a functioning alcoholic does not affect anyone other than themselves. It does affect their own lives if kept unchecked in the long run. As they continue to hide their struggle with alcohol it becomes much more troublesome as time goes on. Functioning Alcoholics Live In The Grey Area Of Addiction A functioning alcoholic lives in the grey area of addiction where addiction coexists with competence. While they are functioning like a regular individual they also hide their addiction from their friends, family, or colleagues. So, they operate much more separately than an alcoholic consumed with addiction and a normal non-alcoholic. So how will you recognize a functioning alcoholic when they are living just like any ordinary person? You see functioning alcoholics often rationalize their drinking habits as rewards for their accomplishments. So, if they can get their work done they reward themselves. Again if they do their duty towards their family they would reward themselves with a drink. Again their coping mechanism of dealing with the stress of daily responsibilities is through alcohol. So when they accomplish their responsibilities day-to-day they reward themselves with alcohol. But this facade of normalcy is fragile as they become more dependent on alcohol over time. As they start to deal with life problems with alcohol, this results in psychological issues. Maintaining a long-term facade of alcohol addiction is not the only problem a functional alcoholic faces but health problems too. High Functioning Alcoholism vs. Traditional Alcohol Use Disorder Traditionally you could identify an alcoholic person from their visible signs of dysfunctions. These dysfunctional problems were frequent performance issues, relationship problems, and deteriorating health. In contrast, high-functioning alcoholics may lead seemingly successful lives, masking their dependency behind a façade of competence. They may hold prestigious positions, maintain social connections, and even drink expensive wine without raising suspicion. Despite their ability to keep up appearances, high-functioning alcoholics often deal with a significant internal struggle. They might spend considerable effort hiding the extent of their drinking from others and themselves. This can involve elaborate routines to cover up the smell of alcohol and secret drinking sessions. Again a functional alcoholic persistently worries about being discovered because of their addiction. You will see that the stress of maintaining a double life can be extremely problematic in the long run. In the long-term, this coping mechanism with alcohol can only affect negatively both physically and mentally. Along with the stress of hiding addiction with alcohol and dealing with life’s problems a functioning alcoholic is bound to break down at some point. This will lead to their worst fear of revealing their true nature. It's this dual existence that differentiates high-functioning alcoholism from other overt alcohol use disorders. Other alcohol disorders are more visible due to their impact on an individual's life. Recognizing The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse There are significant risks to being a functional alcoholic despite its outward appearance. Because their pattern of drinking can be more than seven drinks per week. This leads to health risks in the long term. Again continuous dependence on alcohol to deal with life can have adverse effects on the person’s psychology. From binge drinking episodes to the inability to stop drinking despite its negative consequences can be some of the recognized risks of alcohol addiction. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or cut back on alcohol consumption. Recognizing signs of a high-functioning alcoholic can be challenging as they are good at hiding their addiction. Therefore, it's essential to identify these individuals and get them diagnosed correctly and get these individuals treated. It's important to note that these behaviors can be subtle and easily overlooked, especially when the individual is still managing to fulfill their personal and professional obligations. Over time you will see that the consequences of high-functioning alcoholism become visible. Be it strained relationships, personality changes, mental health issues, and physical health problems related to alcohol abuse. You will start to see its effects on a functional alcoholic. Risk Factors And Consequences Certain factors can increase the likelihood of high-functioning alcoholism, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and untreated mental health issues. While they may avoid some of the immediate consequences associated with traditional alcoholism, such as job loss or legal troubles, high-functioning alcoholics are still at risk for severe health problems, including certain cancers and mental health issues. These health problems can include liver disease, heart disease, and neurological impairments that may not become evident until later in life. The psychological consequences are equally concerning, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders that can deteriorate the quality of life. Moreover, high-functioning alcoholics may face social consequences over time, such as eroded trust in relationships, marital strife, and a gradual withdrawal from social activities as they prioritize alcohol over personal connections. Despite maintaining a veneer of normalcy, the cumulative effect of these risk factors and consequences can lead to a tipping point where the individual's ability to function at a high level is compromised. It is crucial to recognize these long-term risks and understand that the lack of immediate, visible consequences does not diminish the urgency for intervention and treatment. Seeking Support And Treatment For The High Functioning Alcoholic Addressing high-functioning alcoholism requires a comprehensive approach involving medical professionals, support groups, and rehab centers in Los Angeles, specializing in addiction medicine. Loved ones play a crucial role in encouraging their family members or close relatives to seek help, but it's essential to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Initiating this conversation can be delicate, as it often involves breaking through a wall of denial built up by the individual over time. Friends and family need to be informed about the nature of high-functioning alcoholism, to offer non-judgmental support, and to avoid enabling behaviors that can perpetuate the addiction. The process of seeking support often begins with an honest self-assessment or an intervention by concerned loved ones. This step is vital in helping the individual recognize the extent of their problem and the impact it has on their life and the lives of those around them. Professional interventionists can be instrumental in this phase, providing the guidance needed to navigate what can be a highly charged situation. Once the individual acknowledges the need for help, the next step involves finding the right treatment program. Treatment can range from outpatient therapy sessions that accommodate the individual's work schedule. Or a more intensive inpatient program where you will be required to take a temporary step back from daily responsibilities. The choice of treatment should be tailored to the individual's specific circumstances, taking into account their level of addiction, personal responsibilities, and the presence of any co-occurring mental health conditions. Throughout the recovery journey, ongoing support is essential for maintaining sobriety. Aftercare programs and sober living communities offer continued guidance and support, helping the individual to reintegrate into their daily life with new coping skills and a renewed focus on health and wellness. Support And Treatment Facilities Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide a vital lifeline for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders, offering a sense of community and understanding. These groups facilitate peer-to-peer support and shared experiences, creating a space where individuals can speak openly about their struggles without fear of judgment. Treatment facilities offer residential treatment or outpatient tailored programs designed to address the unique needs of high-functioning alcoholics, providing medical supervision during the withdrawal process and equipping them with coping strategies for maintaining sobriety. These facilities often employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical treatment, psychological counseling, and behavioral therapy to address the complex nature of addiction. The programs may include individual therapy sessions, group therapy, educational workshops on addiction, and relapse prevention planning. In addition to traditional treatment methods, some facilities offer holistic therapies such as meditation, yoga, and art therapy, recognizing the importance of treating the whole person. The Importance Of Mental Health Resources Recognizing that alcoholism is not solely a physical dependency but also a mental health problem is crucial. Access to more mental health resources, including therapy and counseling, can help individuals address underlying issues contributing to their alcohol use and develop healthier coping mechanisms. These resources are vital in treating the emotional and psychological aspects of alcoholism, which often include stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders that may co-occur with substance abuse. By providing a supportive environment for open discussion about mental health, individuals can gain insights into the emotional triggers that lead to drinking and learn new strategies for managing these triggers. Therapy can also assist in repairing relationships damaged by alcohol abuse, rebuilding trust, and improving communication skills. In addition, counseling can offer guidance on how to establish a balanced life. You can set achievable goals, and create a supportive network that fosters their long-term recovery. Treatment programs need to integrate mental health services as a core component of addiction recovery, called dual diagnosis treatment. This integration ensures that individuals receive a holistic approach to their treatment, addressing all facets of their well-being. As society continues to destigmatize mental health issues, the hope is that more people will feel empowered to seek the help they need without fear of judgment or stigma. Ultimately, enhancing the availability and accessibility of mental health resources is a critical step in supporting the recovery journey of functioning alcoholics. Their lasting sobriety helps improve their mental health issues. High Functioning Alcoholics: Is There Such A Thing? High-functioning alcoholics can often seem to have it all together, balancing significant responsibilities while battling their addiction in silence. They are typically individuals who, despite heavy drinking, seem to lead productive lives. They often excel in their careers, maintain social relationships, and uphold daily routines. This can make it difficult for others and sometimes even for the individuals themselves to recognize the problem. as their success often masks the underlying issues. We can help individuals struggling with high-functioning alcoholism by raising awareness and providing support. This will help them regain control of their lives and improve their overall life. Conclusion It's crucial to understand that high-functioning alcoholism is a real and serious condition. When you acknowledge its existence you take the first step towards addressing the unique challenges it presents. With the right resources and support systems, you can improve functioning alcoholic individuals to live a life free from alcohol. You can find them the help they need to recover from alcohol dependency. Therefore you need to know about functional alcoholism and identify functional alcoholic individuals. Read Also: 10 Reasons To Stop Drinking Alcohol Today Can Vaping Really Help You Kick Your Smoking Habit? The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Non-Alcoholic Spirits Famous Alcoholics And The Symptoms Of Their Addiction

5 Essential Nutrients For Maintaining Optimal Maternal Health

Prenatal Vitamins: What Are Those?