Human Nutrition - Effects of Vitamins During Pregnancy - Essay Example

It’s especially important for pregnant women to get enough iron in their daily diets - for themselves and their growing babies. Good sources of iron may include meat sources which are more easily absorbed by the body than iron found in plant foods. Some examples of iron-rich foods include red meat, dark poultry, salmon, eggs, tofu, enriched grains, dried beans and peas, dried fruits, leafy green vegetables, blackstrap molasses, and iron-fortified breakfast cereals

Folate (Folic Acid)

Studies have shown that taking folic acid supplements 1 month prior to and throughout the first 3 months of pregnancy decreases the risk of neural tube defects by up to 70%.

Fluids
It's also important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, during pregnancy. A woman's blood volume increases dramatically during pregnancy, and drinking enough water each day can help prevent common problems such as dehydration and constipation.

1. What is the advantage of feeding a baby breast milk? Is it best for all new mothers and infants?

Professional groups especially doctors, concerned with the care of newborns advocate breastfeeding as best for your baby. They recommend that babies be breastfed exclusively for about the first 6 months. Following the introduction of solid foods, breastfeeding should continue through the first year of life and beyond, if desired.

Breastfeeding may not be possible or preferable for all women. Deciding to breastfeed or bottle-feed a baby is usually based on the mother's comfort level with breastfeeding as well as her lifestyle, but breastfeeding may not be recommended for some mothers and babies.

Breastfeeding a newborn has many advantages. Perhaps most important, breast milk is the perfect food for a human baby's digestive system. It contains the vitamins and minerals that a newborn requires, and all of its components — lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat — are easily digested by a newborn's immature system. Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect infants from a wide variety of infectious diseases, including diarrhea.  Breastfeeding is great for moms, too. It burns calories and helps shrink the uterus, so nursing moms get back into shape quicker. Breastfeeding may also protect moms from breast and ovarian cancer.

2. How do nutrition and mental development correlate?

Low levels of vitamins B3, B6, B12, and folic acid have been linked to depression, dementia, mania, and schizophrenia. Low iron can quickly produce symptoms of depression or can enhance jitteriness in patients taking older antidepressants. An imbalance or deficiency of any one nutrient can produce mental symptoms. Consequently, a good multivitamin & mineral supplement plus B vitamins in the right doses can have a profound effect on mood. For example, vitamin folic acid has been shown to enhance antidepressants (and reduce their side effects) and act as an antidepressant all by itself in the right dose.

3. Identify the milestones of nutrition and growth for children between the ages of 1 and 16.

When inspecting food labels, keep in mind that vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium have clearly defined recommendations for children. For example, 1- to 3-year-old children need 500 milligrams of calcium each day, while their 4- to 8-year-old siblings need 800 milligrams a day.

On the other hand, the nutritional recommendations for saturated fat and total fat are linked to a child's caloric intake. In contrast, calorie recommendations are based on a child's age, sex, height, weight, and activity level. To reflect this variability, the Nutrient Recommendations by Age in the table below are given as a range for some nutrients.

4. Why does maintaining health as we age become increasingly important?

As we grow older, our body’s resistance to different diseases weakens. This is why, it is important to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle.

5. What are four characteristics of diets of adults and older people that experience low disease ratio and increased longevity?

People who have little experience with the disease have diets that include fresh fruits and vegetables, meat with minimum cholesterol content, water as a beverage instead of carbonated drinks, and other meals that are packed with vitamins and minerals. Proper rest, enough sleep, and exercise are also a help for increased longevity