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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:

  1. Moderate maternal zinc deficiencies impair fetal growth
  2. Maternal zinc deficiencies impact the placental morphology
  3. Transport of iron through the placenta is reduced by zinc deficiency
  4. Zinc deficiency may impact oxidative stress in the placenta
  5. Maternal zinc deficiencies alter maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and
    lactation
  6. 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.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

REFERENCES: 1. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Zinc. Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH Website. https:// ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/. Reviewed March 2, 2018. Accessed April 2, 2018. 2. Wilson RL, Leemaqz SY, et. al. Zinc is a critical regulator of placental morphogenesis and maternal hemodynamics during pregnancy in mice. Nature. 7: 15137 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-15085-2. Retrieved on April 10, 2018 from https://www.- nature.com/articles/s41598-017-15085-2.pdf. 3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide: Appendix C. Daily Values for Infants, Children Less Than 4 Years of Age, and Pregnant and Lactating Women. April 2005. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/guidancedocumentsregulatoryinformation/di- etarysupplements/ucm070620.htm on April 6, 2018.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

More Less

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

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