Prenatal Nutrition - Vitamins

Vitamins

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a group of fat-soluble unsaturated organic compounds, includes retinoids ( retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl esters ), carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, δ-carotene, ε-carotene, ζ-carotnee ) and xanthophylls ( astaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, fucoxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin )

functions : regulate gene expression, cellular proliferation and differentiation, growth and development, vision and immunity.

deficiency :

1. maternal decrease immunity, anaemia, xerophthalmia

Toxicity :  birth defects, hypervitominosis A     

Daily requirement :  770µg  (prenatal), 1300 µg (lactation), 700 µg (normal)

Source: fruits, leafy vegetables, dairy products, seaweed, poultry

Superfood : cod liver oil, sweet potato, liver, spinach, carrot

Folate (B9)

IUPAC name : (2S)-2-[(4-{[(2-amino-4-hydroxypteridin-6-yl) methyl] amino} phenyl) formamido] pentanedioic acid

Other names : vitamin B9, vitamin M, vitamin Bc

Absorbable form : L-5-Methyl Tetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF)

Functions : cell division and growth

Deficiency :

1. congenital malformations - neural tube defects, heart defects, cleft lips, limb defects, urinary tract anomalies, etc

2. preterm delivery

3. infant low birth weight

4. fetal growth retardation

5. increased homocysteine level in blood, which lead to spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, preeclampsia

Daily requirement : 600 µg (prenatal), 500µg (lactation), 400µg (normal)

Source: leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, peas, dairy products, poultry, meat , eggs, seafood, grains, etc.

Superfood : broccoli, spinach, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, liver, yeast

Avoid : Folic Acid, pteroyl-L-glutamic acid (PGA), pteroyl-L-glutamate

Vitamin C

IUPAC name : 2-Oxo-L-threo-hexono-1,4-lactone-2,3-enediol

Other names : L-ascorbic acid

functions : tissue repair, would healing, bone growth, healthy skin, body immunity.

deficiency :

1. impaired fetal brain development

Daily requirement :  85mg (prenatal), 120mg (lactation), 75mg (normal)

Source: citrus fruits, leafy vegetables

Superfood : papaya, bell peppers, guava, oranges, kiwi, broccoli

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids, including D3 ( cholecalciferol ) and D2 ( ergocalciferol ).

functions : regulates the amount of calcium, phosphate, iron, magnesium, zinc in the body

deficiency :

1. gestational diabetes

2. pre-eclampsia

3. infant low birth weight

4. rickets in infant

Daily requirement :  15µg (prenatal), 15µg (lactation), 15µg (normal)

Source: oily fish, eggs, meat, sunlight

Superfood : salmon, cod liver oil