In order to help prevent birth defects, women need to get enough folic acid every day, even if they are not planning a pregnancy. About 4,000 babies are born with neural tube defects (NTDs) each year, and many other affected pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth. This is especially necessary during both pregnancy and infancy when cell growth is extremely rapid. Both adults and children need folic acid to make normal red blood cells and to prevent anemia. According to one study, only 10% of women know that folic acid should be taken before pregnancy.
Folic acid is rapidly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract following oral administration. Peak folate activity in blood is 30 to 60 minutes after oral administration. Folic acid is needed for the development of your baby’s spine and brain in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Folic acid is also required for the production of DNA, which is necessary for the rapid cell growth needed to make fetal tissues and organs early in pregnancy. That is why it is important for a woman to have enough folic acid in her body both before and during pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin used by cells as they grow and divide. The naturally occurring form, folate, is found in spinach and leafy green vegetables, dried beans, liver and citrus fruits. A higher dose of 5,000 micrograms (5mg) of folic acid is recommended for women who have previously had a baby with a neural tube defect, or are taking medicine for epilepsy. If you have a family history of neural tube defects then you should also take the higher dose.
Folic acid is responsible for assuring an adequate supply of thymidylate. Thymidylate is one of four nucleotide bases needed to construct DNA molecules. Folic acid is needed during the first few weeks, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. That is why it is so important to start taking folic acid each day, even when you are not planning to get pregnant.
Folic acid is generally thought of as a “good” nutrient. Mothers who get enough folic acid before and during pregnancy have a far lower risk of having a baby with a spinal birth defect.
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The emergence of Spring, with flowers, tree blossom, green shoots and singing birds will I’m sure uplift the spirit and bring joy to all. However, for some it also brings familiar symptoms of sneezes, itchy eyes and a runny nose. Complementary Health Treatments in Peterborough offers many alternatives to over the counter anti – histamines, inhaled nasal steroids, eye drops or prescribed medication.
The Nutrition Approach – Reduce the toxic load on the body by eliminating all processed foods, mucus producing and intolerant foods. Many people will be helped by the elimination of foods such as cheese, milk, ice cream, and chocolate. Wheat and alcohol should also be considered.
Anti-oxidant rich foods should be eaten in abundance to reduce inflammation and increase immunity. Ensure plenty of coloured fruit and vegetable such as citrus fruits, berries, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes and seeds which are rich in selenium and zinc. Stining nettles which contain a natural anti – histamine called quercetin, either as an infusion or as freshly picked leaves made in to a soup. One of the most popular nutritional remediess is Local Natural Honey- take 2 tea spoons daily of natural honey from a local hive for a desensitizing effect. Bee pollen-1 tsp daily in yogurt or on cereal – its full a complete food full of enzymes, vitamins, minerals and will promote general health as well as helping relieve hay fever symptoms.
The Supplement Approach- The use of supplements can provide our body with the missing elements it needs to function at optimum capacity. Multi- vitamin & minerals ( providing B6100mg & zinc 15mg), Anti Oxidant Complex and Vitamin C 3 x 1000mgs have shown effective control over hayfever and inflammatory responses.
Herbal Remedies- much has been written about the use of herbal remedies recently, particularly those of Chinese origin due to poor prescription and bad practitioner standards. However, the vast majority of herbal remedies are completely safe and good practitioners are well qualified to know their limits when treating illness. Petasites hybridus (Butterbur) has been shown to reduce histamine reaction and Euphrasia (Eyebright) as eye drops or as a tincture in water has been shown to relieve inflammation and irritation of eyes.
Naturopathy provides a natural way of dealing will hayfever and allergic responses. A steam inhalation of essential oil such as chamomile or eucalyptus can be used to relieve a blocked nose. A salt solution inhaled through the nose using a Neti Bath or sniffed from the hand through the nose will decongest the sinuses.
Homeopathy- Has much in common with naturopathy and herbal ermedies by providing patients with a natural solution to their symptoms. Homeopathy is built on the principle that ‘like cures like’. So the practitioner will diagnose the specific cause or allergen that creates the over reaction within us, and provide us with a diluted solution. Era biochemical tissue salt combination for hay-fever, containing Magnesium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride and Silica Dioxide work homoeopathically to eliminate runny nose and sneezing.
Acupuncture-The insertion of fine needles can be used to treat the underlying cause of your hay fever and reduce the inflammatory response. This is effective in reducing watery eyes sneezing & nasal discharge.
Allergy Tests- Orthodox medicine on the NHS commonly relies on the use of allergy tests to define patients cause of hayfever. However, the waiting lists for these procedures can often be in years!! Blood tests to identify allergens and food intolerances provide the patient and practitioner valuable information, and is often a good starting place when dealing with hayfever.
Caution Hay fever symptoms in asthmatic patients can be a sign of inflammed lower airways and worsening asthma symptoms should be taken seriously – consult your medical practitioner.
If there is one time in the life of a woman when it is absolutely essential to take the utmost care of overall health, it is during pregnancy. This is because it is not only the pregnant woman’s health in question but also the health and development of the fetus, or the unborn baby in the womb. With all the hormonal changes going on in a woman’s body during the time of pregnancy, it is absolutely important to take care, especially in case of diet and nutrition, weight gain, development and management of health conditions if any, and so on. Here are some of the aspects of pregnancy care one must not overlook.
Safe weight gain during pregnancy: Gaining weight during pregnancy is important but many pregnant women gain additional weight because of the belief that they must eat for two. To understand how much weight you can safely gain during pregnancy, you need to be aware of your BMI (Body Mass Index) before pregnancy The higher your BMI – or ratio of weight in kilograms to height in square meters – the lower the amount of weight you can add while pregnant.
While in the first trimester you need no additional calories; only in the second and third trimesters will you need 100 – 200 calories more than your regular intake. Ensure this with healthier options such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, nuts and complex carbohydrates like whole grains.
Right diet during pregnancy: A balanced diet is essential to fitness and good health, and assumes vital importance during pregnancy. Three hundred calories a day, over and above a daily requirement of 1500-2000 calories, is what pregnant women additionally require from the beginning of the second trimester up to delivery. Your diet must include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Protein is essential for the buildup of tissues; folic acid, found in leafy green vegetables, dried beans and peas, and citrus fruits, for example, can prevent preterm delivery, low birth weight and poor fetal growth. Adequate amounts of calcium in your body will meet your unborn baby’s needs for stronger bones and teeth. Right amount of iron is required for hemoglobin production whereas zinc contributes to healthy growth and development of the baby.
Foods to avoid during pregnancy: While you are expected to eat more during pregnancy, you must also leave out certain foods to avoid causing risk to your pregnancy. Fish and sea food, raw meat, raw or uncooked eggs and vegetables, Chinese food, especially because of its MSG content (monosodium glutamate) and caffeinated beverages are some of the foods to be avoided. While raw meat is known to contain toxic elements harmful for both the mother and the unborn baby, high levels of mercury found in sea fish can also pose risks to the fetus. High levels of caffeine may cause miscarriage or low-birth weight. Drinking and smoking by pregnant women are absolute no-s for the serious abnormalities they can cause in the unborn child.
Dealing with pregnancy discomforts: Morning sickness, troubled sleep, frequent urges to urinate are some of the discomforts associated with pregnancy. You can overcome these discomforts through: exercise after taking due advice from your doctor, using pillows to support your lower back, knees and tummy, right nutrition that promotes sleep, trying muscle relaxation techniques and so on.
Gestational diabetes during pregnancy: An increasing number of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, largely due to a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and obesity. It is vital to screen for gestational diabetes in the first trimester and again at around 30 weeks of pregnancy. This is especially important if you’ve had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy – around 50 percent of women who have had gestational diabetes earlier develop this condition in a subsequent pregnancy. Regular monitoring, dietary control and insulin, if advised, form the cornerstone of diabetic management during pregnancy.
Dental care during pregnancy: During pregnancy, your risk of developing gum disease (pregnant women may suffer from pregnancy gingivitis – a condition which leads to bleeding of tender gums) goes up, and this can be detrimental to your developing baby’s health. Things to do: Brush and floss regularly. If you are suffering from morning sickness, switch to a bland toothpaste after consulting your doctor. If you have frequent bouts of vomiting, rinse your mouth frequently with water, or mouthwash advised by your dentist. Eat healthy to invest in your child’s oral health. Regular visits to your dentist can flag any signs of gum disease.
Yoga during pregnancy: Practicing yoga during pregnancy can help you cope with taxing symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue. Asanas (especially those that strengthen the pelvic muscles) and pranayam can also prepare you – mentally and physically – for labor.
Monitoring baby movements during pregnancy: A pregnant woman is advised to monitor fetal movements from the 28th week by keeping track of the daily fetal movements count (DFMC). She must watch out for any variations in the pattern and average count of movements as these could indicate the need for tests to check fetal health. At the same time, pregnant mothers must keep calm while doing the count as anxiety itself could lead to the production of hormones and in turn cause fetal distress.