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Pregnancy and
Nutrition
(See
Chart)
LONDON,
Sep 21 (Reuters) - What a pregnant woman eats in the first
few days after conceiving could have an important impact on
the health of her child, according to a report in New
Scientist magazine Wednesday.
A woman's diet can affect whether her child will suffer
health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and
strokes later in life because an embryo programs its rate
of development according to its environment.
"Now a team led by Tom Fleming of the University of
Southampton (in England) suggests that programming may take
place in the four or five days following fertilization,
before the embryo even implants in the womb," the
weekly magazine said.
The researchers fed rats a low-protein diet for four and a
quarter days after they mated, the normal time between
conception and implantation, and a normal diet for the
remainder of their pregnancy.
Female rats born to the mothers had low birth weights but
went through a spurt before reaching a normal weight. The
males were born with an average weight but had abnormal
growth patterns and developed enlarged kidneys, high blood
pressure and small livers.
"When the team took early embryos from mother rats on
the restricted diet and counted their cells, they found
that these embryos had fewer cells than expected because
they had gone through fewer divisions," the magazine
added.
The researchers think the mother's nutrition affects how
the embryo's genes are expressed. The same could apply to
humans, they say.
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The importance of proper nutrition before
and during pregnancy has been well documented for a long time. It has been
shown that adequate intake of nutrients can prevent birth defects, result
in a healthier baby and mother, and also an easier pregnancy and birth.
A lesser known fact is that the your
generic pregnancy vitamins are not adequate, most are imbalanced, and many
are harmful due to significantly high amounts of iron (ferrous sulphate),
and other inorganic and poorly bioavailable sources of vitamins and
minerals. Do not take them. The modern day pregnancy pill can lead to
morning sickness (due to large doses of toxic iron ferrous sulphate) and
miscarriage. It is no secret that taking "pregnancy vitamins"
make many women suffer from nausea. Nausea and vomiting is the body's way
of defense. The body is trying to protect the baby from harm, and is
telling you to stop taking toxic substances.(1)(See
Chart)
The best would be to get all your nutrients
from the food you are eating. This takes some planning and preparation,
and you would be wise to include freshly pressed vegetable juices, wheat
grass juice, herbal teas and fresh, nourishing herbs, and 'natural'
supplements such as chlorella, spirulina, and flax seed oil. Eat only
organic, fresh vegetables, whole grains, and protein preferably from
vegetarian sources. Try to eat 70% or more of your food 'raw'. Raw foods
have all the nutrients intact, and are filled with enzymes (life giving
force) for proper digestion.
Unfortunately, many of us are deficient in
one nutrient or another, and need to "catch up". This is usually
due to high intakes of sugar, refined foods, poor soil (which the
vegetables grow in), and a lack of a varied diet.(2,3,4) If you know you
are deficient in one nutrient or another (most of us are), it is wise to
supplement.
When supplementing with vitamins or
minerals, hopefully in addition to your 'perfect' diet ;-), it is very
important that the vitamins and minerals you take are well absorbed.
We have listed the most bioavailable sources of each vitamin and mineral, and
the least toxic. Even if you use supplements, you will benefit from having
an excellent diet. Don't think you can get every nutrient you need from
pills! (See
Chart)
-
Calcium
-
Magnesium
-
Selenium
-
Iodine
-
Chromium
-
Zinc
-
Iron
-
Vitamin B Complex
-
Vitamin E
-
Vitamin C
-
Vitamin K
-
Chlorella
-
is an amazing nutrient! It
contains high amounts of RNA/DNA (for cellular regeneration), vitamins,
minerals, amino acids, and is the world's richest source of chlorophyll! A
wonderful blood builder and healer.
-
Flax seed oil
-
Alfalfa
-
Rich in vitamins A, D, E, B12, and calcium, phosphorus,
chlorophyll, and iron.
-
Red Raspberry Leaf
tea
-
tones the uterus and nourishes with vitamins and minerals.
2-3 cups daily. Or you can make a tea from 2 parts red
raspberry leaves, 1 part comfrey, and 1 part alfalfa. These are all
nourishing herbs. A quart of this daily helps tone the uterus, nourish the
body, and helps prevent postpartum hemorrhage.(3)
:)
Foods (or nonfoods) to
avoid when pregnant:
MSG: (monosodium glutamate or hydrolyzed
vegetable protein) Unnatural, high in inorganic salt. May trigger water
retention.(5)
Wax on fruits and vegetables: It is common
to see fruits and vegetables in stores coated with wax to create a shine.
The FDA has approved the wax safe, but the problem lies beneath as harmful
pesticides and fungicides are sealed within the wax. Wash vegetables and
fruits real well or try eating organic
produce instead. (5)
Caffeine: Increases heart rate, and puts the
fetus at risk for growth retardation and miscarriage.(5)
Alcohol: It has been linked to congenital
malformations.(5)
Refined and processed foods: Your baby
needs all the nutrition he can get. "Un-whole" foods leach
nutrients from the body, and cause constipation and digestive problems.
Eat natural, pure, fresh, and whole foods.(2)
Artificial additives and preservatives:
Don't overtax your body with these. Your body already has enough to do
while pregnant. Many artificial additives and preservatives cause food
sensitivities and allergies in babies.(2)
Certain herbs (first trimester): Basil,
blue and black cohosh, caraway seeds, ginger, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary,
sage, tarragon, thyme, comfrey, ephedra, goldenseal, ma-huang, mistletoe,
pennyroyal, shepherds purse, wild yam, and yarrow should not be taken
during the first trimester. Ginger in moderation only for morning
sickness. According to Margie Profet, ginger in the first trimester is not
safe.(1)
Iron supplementation: Iron (that is not
from food) should be avoided during the first trimester. It can cause
morning sickness and miscarriage.(1)
Excessive dairy Products: Babies who are
born to mothers who drink excessive milk have more difficulty breathing at
birth due to too much mucus in the airways. The saying that you cannot get
enough calcium without milk is a myth. Where do cows get their calcium
from - Not Milk!(3)
All drugs and medications
Smoking should be
avoided at ALL Costs!
References:
1.Pregnancy
Sickness by Margie Profet
2.Food Healing for Man by Bernard Jensen
3.Polly's Birth Book; Obstetrics for the Home by Polly Block
4.Optimum Sports Nutrition by Michael Colgan
5. Fit Pregnancy, Spring, 1997.
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