537
chain, so from the last few years, the concept of conversion of ALA to EPA and
DHA is extended. ALA level is high in vegetable oil and minor component of
plants while DHA and EPA are present in high amount in fatty fishes which are
present in the cold sea. Terrestrial origin food has less contribution to the intake of
long-chain fatty acids. Diets devoid of fish may leads to deficiency of DHA and
EPA (Mozaffarian and Rimm 2006). The most severe cause of mortality in the
united states is low consumption of omega 3 fatty acids that comes after high salt
consumption according to a study (Danaei et al. 2009). About 80% of the population do not take the daily required amount of EPA and DHA as recommended
according to international guidelines and this recommendations ranges from 250 to
500 mg per day (Pounis et al. 2014).
Due to the risks of contaminants in fishes, the European food safety authority
says that there should be 1–4 consumptions of fish in the week, and this is to
ensure a proper offspring development during pregnancy (EFSA Scientific
Committee 2015). The consumption of 3–4 fish per week will not provide surplus
aid according to the EFSA report. Balancing the amount of DHA and EPA reduce
the problem of environmental pollution, and smallest fish such as anchovies,
mackerel and sardines should have high preference (Mozaffarian and Rimm
2006). Now, one can get purified and safe formulations of long-chain fatty acids
with algae also containing DHA. The order less property of fish oil can be easily
integrated into EFSA and RDA products; 100–200 milligrams of DHA per day is
recommended during lactation and pregnancy (Società di Nutrizione Umana
2014). If an individual consumes two fishes in 1 week, that will provide sufficient
DHA in breast milk (Koletzko et al. 2007). Some specific individual groups, such
as mothers who smoke during pregnancy and lactation, will require more DHA,
and children from women who smoke will be less gestational at birth and will
have lower levels of DHA compared to children born to non-smoking women.
During postpartum smoking, the mother provides less DHA to the baby than
breast milk (Agostoni et al. 2003, 2005).
24.6 Conclusion
Fetal growth and birth are influenced by maternal nutrition and this is considered a
backbone for both. The public health importance and adverse birth outcomes in
developing and low-income countries is a modifiable risk factor. To ensure maternal wellbeing and favourable outcomes of pregnancy, variation in consumption of
a balanced diet from the preconception period is also important. Specific dietary
intakes during pregnancy and lactation are often insufficient even in the most
industrialized countries. Therefore, pregnant women should be advised to eat a
balanced diet rich in high-quality carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and other
classes of food.
24 Role of Nutraceuticals in Maternal Nutrition
chain, so from the last few years, the concept of conversion of ALA to EPA and
DHA is extended. ALA level is high in vegetable oil and minor component of
plants while DHA and EPA are present in high amount in fatty fishes which are
present in the cold sea. Terrestrial origin food has less contribution to the intake of
long-chain fatty acids. Diets devoid of fish may leads to deficiency of DHA and
EPA (Mozaffarian and Rimm 2006). The most severe cause of mortality in the
united states is low consumption of omega 3 fatty acids that comes after high salt
consumption according to a study (Danaei et al. 2009). About 80% of the population do not take the daily required amount of EPA and DHA as recommended
according to international guidelines and this recommendations ranges from 250 to
500 mg per day (Pounis et al. 2014).
Due to the risks of contaminants in fishes, the European food safety authority
says that there should be 1–4 consumptions of fish in the week, and this is to
ensure a proper offspring development during pregnancy (EFSA Scientific
Committee 2015). The consumption of 3–4 fish per week will not provide surplus
aid according to the EFSA report. Balancing the amount of DHA and EPA reduce
the problem of environmental pollution, and smallest fish such as anchovies,
mackerel and sardines should have high preference (Mozaffarian and Rimm
2006). Now, one can get purified and safe formulations of long-chain fatty acids
with algae also containing DHA. The order less property of fish oil can be easily
integrated into EFSA and RDA products; 100–200 milligrams of DHA per day is
recommended during lactation and pregnancy (Società di Nutrizione Umana
2014). If an individual consumes two fishes in 1 week, that will provide sufficient
DHA in breast milk (Koletzko et al. 2007). Some specific individual groups, such
as mothers who smoke during pregnancy and lactation, will require more DHA,
and children from women who smoke will be less gestational at birth and will
have lower levels of DHA compared to children born to non-smoking women.
During postpartum smoking, the mother provides less DHA to the baby than
breast milk (Agostoni et al. 2003, 2005).
24.6 Conclusion
Fetal growth and birth are influenced by maternal nutrition and this is considered a
backbone for both. The public health importance and adverse birth outcomes in
developing and low-income countries is a modifiable risk factor. To ensure maternal wellbeing and favourable outcomes of pregnancy, variation in consumption of
a balanced diet from the preconception period is also important. Specific dietary
intakes during pregnancy and lactation are often insufficient even in the most
industrialized countries. Therefore, pregnant women should be advised to eat a
balanced diet rich in high-quality carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and other
classes of food.
24 Role of Nutraceuticals in Maternal Nutrition