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bocytopenia, leucopenia amongst other deficiency-related diseases (Hoey et al.
2013). Food sources of folic acids majorly includes; fruits (citrus fruits), green leafy
vegetables, cereals and offal. The presence of anti-nutrients in these foods determines the bioavailability of folic acids, and this can invariably lead to a reduction of
their absorption rates by the body. Folic acid requirements are gradually increased
during the periconceptional stage, in relation to their use in creating cells and fetal
tissues (Berti et al. 2012).
In a bid to curtailing the risks associated with neural tube defects in women of
child-bearing age, maternal supplementation with folates is highly recommended
(Cawley et al. 2016). Recent researches also deduced that the folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of congenital heart disease and support the proper
development of the placenta during pregnancy (Fekete et al. 2012). Recommended
dietary allowance of 50% is recommended for pregnant women while in nonpregnant women of childbearing age, 600 μg per day vs. 400 μg per day is recommended. In exceptional cases, the mother’s supplement should begin at least
2 months before conception and can even reach 800 μg per day, the benefits of the
higher ones are completely unclear (US Preventive Services Task Force 2009).
The levels of folic acid in breast milk gradually increase from colostrum to
mature milk and reach much higher levels than the levels measured in maternal
plasma. The lack of a complementary relationship between the state of the mother
and the content of breast milk indicates an active role of the mammary glands in
the active transport and regulation of folic acid secretion only slightly affects
food intake (O’Connor et al. 1997). In conclusion, the intake of folate-rich foods
from nursing mothers should be increased by 25% to 500 g/day (EFSA NDA
Panel 2014).
24.5.6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid
The major polyunsaturated fatty acid in the human brain and retinal rods are necessary for the development of brain and retina of the fetus during the pregnancy
period. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play a key role in psychomotor and neurodevelopment in first month of life when it is supplied in high amount through breast
milk (Koletzko et al. 2011). It is beneficial for fetus and infant development.
Omega 3 fatty acid has a great influence on maternal health and also has the capability to reduce the risk of immature birth. DHA also reduces the risk of overall
infant health (Sallis et al. 2014; Mennitti et al. 2015). The human body has enzymatic ways to synthesize DHA through the use of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a
metabolic precursor. There are clear evidences by experiments showing the conversion of ALA into longer chains fatty acid. In male, the conversion of alpha linolenic acid to DHA is low and almost impossible (Brenna et al. 2009). Because the
human body has limited ability to produce polyunsaturated fatty acid with longS. Hassan et al.
bocytopenia, leucopenia amongst other deficiency-related diseases (Hoey et al.
2013). Food sources of folic acids majorly includes; fruits (citrus fruits), green leafy
vegetables, cereals and offal. The presence of anti-nutrients in these foods determines the bioavailability of folic acids, and this can invariably lead to a reduction of
their absorption rates by the body. Folic acid requirements are gradually increased
during the periconceptional stage, in relation to their use in creating cells and fetal
tissues (Berti et al. 2012).
In a bid to curtailing the risks associated with neural tube defects in women of
child-bearing age, maternal supplementation with folates is highly recommended
(Cawley et al. 2016). Recent researches also deduced that the folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of congenital heart disease and support the proper
development of the placenta during pregnancy (Fekete et al. 2012). Recommended
dietary allowance of 50% is recommended for pregnant women while in nonpregnant women of childbearing age, 600 μg per day vs. 400 μg per day is recommended. In exceptional cases, the mother’s supplement should begin at least
2 months before conception and can even reach 800 μg per day, the benefits of the
higher ones are completely unclear (US Preventive Services Task Force 2009).
The levels of folic acid in breast milk gradually increase from colostrum to
mature milk and reach much higher levels than the levels measured in maternal
plasma. The lack of a complementary relationship between the state of the mother
and the content of breast milk indicates an active role of the mammary glands in
the active transport and regulation of folic acid secretion only slightly affects
food intake (O’Connor et al. 1997). In conclusion, the intake of folate-rich foods
from nursing mothers should be increased by 25% to 500 g/day (EFSA NDA
Panel 2014).
24.5.6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid
The major polyunsaturated fatty acid in the human brain and retinal rods are necessary for the development of brain and retina of the fetus during the pregnancy
period. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play a key role in psychomotor and neurodevelopment in first month of life when it is supplied in high amount through breast
milk (Koletzko et al. 2011). It is beneficial for fetus and infant development.
Omega 3 fatty acid has a great influence on maternal health and also has the capability to reduce the risk of immature birth. DHA also reduces the risk of overall
infant health (Sallis et al. 2014; Mennitti et al. 2015). The human body has enzymatic ways to synthesize DHA through the use of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a
metabolic precursor. There are clear evidences by experiments showing the conversion of ALA into longer chains fatty acid. In male, the conversion of alpha linolenic acid to DHA is low and almost impossible (Brenna et al. 2009). Because the
human body has limited ability to produce polyunsaturated fatty acid with longS. Hassan et al.