A pregnant woman ideally should eat a perfectly balanced diet. This ensures the good health of the mother as well as the baby. Hence it is essential for pregnant women to intake necessary nutrients. Zinc is one such mineral that has many benefits for mother and baby. Deficiency of Zinc increases the risk of preterm birth and infection in the baby. Zinc benefits during pregnancy include the development of tissue and DNA of the baby.
In this article, we will explain to you the importance of Zinc and its dosage during pregnancy.
Zinc is an essential mineral. It occurs naturally in some foods and available as a dietary supplement also. Zinc plays a key role in immune function, protein synthesis, and wound healing. Zinc is very crucial during pregnancy as it offers many health benefits to the mother and the baby. Zinc deficiency may compromise infant development and lead to poor birth outcomes like preterm birth. Studies show that Zinc supplements take during pregnancy reduces intrauterine infections. They are the significant risk factors for preterm birth, infant morbidity, and mortality.
Zinc is crucial for an infant’s development in the womb as well as after birth. Zinc during pregnancy promotes cell division and tissue growth for the normal development of the baby. Zinc is helpful in normal brain function and increases the intelligence of the child. Zinc maintains a healthy immune system and boosts normal body growth during pregnancy. Getting sick time and again is the major effect of zinc deficiency.
Zinc deficiency in pregnant women can cause many complications. Zinc deficiency symptoms in women include-
A point to remember- Excessive zinc intake can cause some side effects in a pregnant woman. You should take it as prescribed by the doctor. .- HERA
Zinc benefits both mother and foetus during pregnancy. Zinc benefits for pregnant women include-
Zinc benefits for foetus include-
How much Zinc a pregnant woman needs in a day?
Maintaining a healthy intake of zinc is linked to a lower risk of preterm birth. Deficiency of Zinc in preemies can cause respiratory problems. The recommended daily intake for every woman depends on the age factor. The daily recommended doses are as follows-
What happens if we take excess Zinc during pregnancy?
An excess amount of Zinc can cause some side effects during pregnancy. Guidelines suggest that adults should not take more than 40 mg in a day. Too much zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
What are the best Zinc supplements?
Zinc deficiency is serious in pregnant women who take a vegetarian diet. A vegan diet is deficient in zinc. Zinc deficiency can be treated by proper supplementation. Tablets of zinc are needed for pregnant women to reduce the risk of premature birth. The best zinc tablets to help you meet your nutritional needs contains only the right ingredients like folic acid, vitamin C and iron in the correct dosages to bridge any gaps in nutrition during pregnancy and perfectly nourish your baby.
The one recommended by Hera can be easily brought from here: prenatal health It is a pack of 60 Capsules, very well doctor formulated product and it comes in a one month pack.
Are there any Zinc drops for Infants?
Infants who have a deficiency of zinc may have impaired brain functions. The deficiency of Zinccan be treated by either giving supplements to the lactating mother of the baby directly. The zinc doses of infants depend on their age. Infants from zero to 6 months should be given 2mg/day. Children from 1-3 years should get 3mg/day. Children from 3-8 years should get 5mg/day. Zinc dry powder for suspension dosage for infants helps to better the conditions during loose motions. Zinc drops should be given to infants only when recommended by healthcare professionals. The best Zinc drops for infants are-
What are Zinc food sources?
Zinc-rich food sources include-
HERA pro tip- A Vegetarian diet hasdeficiency of zinc. You can add roasted sesame or sunflower seeds powder to your recipes to increase the intake..- HERA
The bottom line
Deficiency of Zinc during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm and low weight birth. Zinc is essential for the development of foetus. Zinc helps to boost the immunity of expectant mother and leads to a healthy pregnancy. Zinc supplements are prescribed during pregnancy for those women who are suffering from pre-eclampsia.