533
(Allen 2000; Khambalia et al. 2016). Also, less iron intake during pregnancy may
result in increased cardiovascular risk in adulthood, according to advanced studies
(Alwan et al. 2015). Iron supplementation is prescribed to overcome birth problems
during pregnancy (Siu 2015; Khambalia et al. 2016). Yet excessive iron consumption in the form of lipid peroxidation, gestational hypertension, oxidative stress, and
impaired glucose metabolism also have negative effects (Krebs et al. 2015).
24.5.2 Iodine
Iodine as a functional constituent in thyroid hormones, plays a key role in the formation, growth and development of tissues and organs. Iodine is present in the body
in an organic form that is bound to thyroglobulin. Its deficiency may cause an
increase in the size of the thyroid gland (goitre) and an increase in the concentration
of thyroid-stimulating hormone (Tetens 2014). Major dietary sources of iodine are
fish and shellfish. These sea animals inturn, get the mineral from sea algae. The sea
algae inturn get it from marine water. During rainfall and water evaporation, iodine
is absorbed in the soil and absorbed by plants. Its average intake is less in population
than that suggested by WHO. Iodine deficiency has effects mostly in the child population in Europe, and its intake is 85–88 g/day than that indicated by WHO (150 g/
day) in all over the Italian area (Novaković et al. 2013; Pastorelli et al. 2015).
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy may cause risk of abortion, birth defects,
neurological disorders and perinatal death. It is considered as the major cause of
brain damage according to the WHO (Trumpff et al. 2015). Its requirement in general population can be fulfilled by supplementing diets with proper concentrations.
Use of iodized salt in a meal can overcome this problem. Iodine is required during
the pregnancy to produce a hormone named as fetal thyroid hormone, so women
must increase the intake of iodine by 50% during the pregnancy (Bhutta et al. 2013).
Fetus and the newborn baby are at higher risk of hypothyroidism even when the
deficiency of iodine is mild or moderate according to the National observatory for
the monitoring of iodoprophylaxis in Italy. Supplementation with iodine must be
higher in the critical period from the second trimester of pregnancy to the third year
after pregnancy (Istituto Superiore di Sanità 2016). According to EFSA, 200 g/day
of iodine can avoid deficiency in critical period. During lactation, 200 grams per day
iodine intake is recommended to sure the milk content of 100–150 grams per
100 mL (WHO 2016).
24.5.3 Calcium
Calcium is known to be the most abundant mineral found in the human body, constituting of 99% in the skeletal mass and also in the teeth. During the earliest age of
life, calcium in the human body is at its peak in bone mass, as it helps in maintaining
24 Role of Nutraceuticals in Maternal Nutrition
(Allen 2000; Khambalia et al. 2016). Also, less iron intake during pregnancy may
result in increased cardiovascular risk in adulthood, according to advanced studies
(Alwan et al. 2015). Iron supplementation is prescribed to overcome birth problems
during pregnancy (Siu 2015; Khambalia et al. 2016). Yet excessive iron consumption in the form of lipid peroxidation, gestational hypertension, oxidative stress, and
impaired glucose metabolism also have negative effects (Krebs et al. 2015).
24.5.2 Iodine
Iodine as a functional constituent in thyroid hormones, plays a key role in the formation, growth and development of tissues and organs. Iodine is present in the body
in an organic form that is bound to thyroglobulin. Its deficiency may cause an
increase in the size of the thyroid gland (goitre) and an increase in the concentration
of thyroid-stimulating hormone (Tetens 2014). Major dietary sources of iodine are
fish and shellfish. These sea animals inturn, get the mineral from sea algae. The sea
algae inturn get it from marine water. During rainfall and water evaporation, iodine
is absorbed in the soil and absorbed by plants. Its average intake is less in population
than that suggested by WHO. Iodine deficiency has effects mostly in the child population in Europe, and its intake is 85–88 g/day than that indicated by WHO (150 g/
day) in all over the Italian area (Novaković et al. 2013; Pastorelli et al. 2015).
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy may cause risk of abortion, birth defects,
neurological disorders and perinatal death. It is considered as the major cause of
brain damage according to the WHO (Trumpff et al. 2015). Its requirement in general population can be fulfilled by supplementing diets with proper concentrations.
Use of iodized salt in a meal can overcome this problem. Iodine is required during
the pregnancy to produce a hormone named as fetal thyroid hormone, so women
must increase the intake of iodine by 50% during the pregnancy (Bhutta et al. 2013).
Fetus and the newborn baby are at higher risk of hypothyroidism even when the
deficiency of iodine is mild or moderate according to the National observatory for
the monitoring of iodoprophylaxis in Italy. Supplementation with iodine must be
higher in the critical period from the second trimester of pregnancy to the third year
after pregnancy (Istituto Superiore di Sanità 2016). According to EFSA, 200 g/day
of iodine can avoid deficiency in critical period. During lactation, 200 grams per day
iodine intake is recommended to sure the milk content of 100–150 grams per
100 mL (WHO 2016).
24.5.3 Calcium
Calcium is known to be the most abundant mineral found in the human body, constituting of 99% in the skeletal mass and also in the teeth. During the earliest age of
life, calcium in the human body is at its peak in bone mass, as it helps in maintaining
24 Role of Nutraceuticals in Maternal Nutrition