The Importance of Zinc During Pregnancy
March 28, 2018
Zinc is an essential mineral that’s found in some foods naturally and added to others. Zinc plays a role in everyday bodily functions, and is essential during pregnancy. For expecting moms, it’s important to understand the effects that zinc and healthy prenatal nutrition have on positive pregnancy outcomes.
The Need for Zinc
Immune function, wound healing, cell division and DNA synthesis all involve zinc metabolism.1 Zinc also plays a role in the development of the placenta, which makes it an essential micronutrient in pregnancy. A deficiency of zinc can impact the function and formation of the placenta, which may lead to negative pregnancy outcomes.2
Zinc Deficiency
Because of a higher need for zinc during pregnancy and lactation, expecting and new mothers are at an increased risk of zinc deficiency.1 A recent study2 found that:
- Moderate maternal zinc deficiencies impair fetal growth
- Maternal zinc deficiencies impact the placental morphology
- Transport of iron through the placenta is reduced by zinc deficiency
- Zinc deficiency may impact oxidative stress in the placenta
- Maternal zinc deficiencies alter maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and
lactation - Maternal zinc deficiencies alter immunological in late gestation
Nutritional Support for Mothers & Babies
Our bodies do not have a specialized storage system for zinc.1 Therefore it is important that we intake zinc daily. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, pregnancy and lactating mothers should get 15 mg of zinc daily.3 The following are food sources that can help expecting mothers meeting their recommended daily intake of zinc:1
- Beef chuck roast
- Pork chop or pork loin
- Breakfast cereals fortified with zinc
- Swiss, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses (make sure cheeses are pasteurized)
- Almonds and cashews
- Peas
A balanced diet and healthy nutrition can help ensure that you supply your body and your baby with the vitamins and minerals needed. To help fill nutritional gaps, the Prenate® Vitamin Family offers a line of prenatal vitamins that is designed to carry moms and their babies through preconception to pregnancy and into the weeks and months after delivery. While Prenate® products do not contain zinc, they can help meet other nutritional goals. Talk to your doctor to see if a Prenate® vitamin is right for you.