Physiologically, one of the most nutritionally demanding states in a lady's life is when she is pregnant. In order to meet the strain of pregnancy, fetal development and lactation, a well balanced eating regimen is necessary to enusre your body is well-nourished to execute these processes. The mother needs additional nutrition for replenishing not just her own body resources but the baby's also, since a growing fetus continuously depletes the mother's nutritional stores. So that both the mother and the baby are healthy it is always wise to implement a good nutrition strategy. Protein plays a exceptionally significant role as one of the nutrients in pregnant women.
Nutrition in pregnancy
It is scientifically proven that the nutritional status of the pregnant woman features a pivotal role to play in the end result of the pregnancy Lo birth weight is directly related to poor maternal nutrition that has other adverse affects on fetal development as well. Also, low birth weight is associated with an increased risk for infant deaths and developmental disabilities.
The development of the fetus, labor, delivery, and lactation are all processes that require numerous changes to take place within the maternal body in the physiological state of pregnancy. Consequently, the mother's nutritional requirements will rise as a few of these adjustments take place. Through the first trimester of pregnancy not a lot of added nutrition is needed because the growth of the fetus is generally slow. In the final 2 triemesters of pregnancy though, the rate at which the fetus develops is a good deal faster, which increases the demand on mothers body. The diet of pregnant woman ought to therefore provide further nutritional requirements. A well-balanced diet high in fiber, proteins, vitamins and minerals help the mother to provide additional necessities for proper development of the fetus.
Protein requirement and pregnancy
All human cells demand protein and consequently it is key to the developing fetus also. Through the 2nd trimester, in which fetal development is fast, the mother requires extra proteins to comply with the growing tissues demands. During the last trimester of pregnancy, protein digestion and assimilation are major problems encountered, however there is still an increase in our body's demand. Also, women usually do not consume as much proteins as men do. Thus the protein intake ought to be increased to meet the needs of the mother as well as the baby. Proteins are required for maintaining the mother’s body for delivery and lactation.
Deficiency of proteins could cause maternal and fetal malnutrition. A great deal of the pregnancy associated complications could be prevented with the use of proteins. It really is currently recommended that a pregnant adult woman obtain 10 grams more of protein than the non-pregnant adult.
Role of milk proteins
Milk proteins are vital for the baby during and after pregnancy. Colostrum is the first milk created after delivery. Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, which are active, large molecular weight proteins. Immunity is one of the many functions that immunoglobulins serves. The infant receives passive immunization through colostrum, later it will be created by the baby. These immunoglobulins enlarge the host defense mechanism to numerous illnesses.
Whey and casein are providers of milk proteins. Both breast milk and whey and casein are comparable in their compositions. Thus for infant formulas, including ones for premature infants, whey and casein are used as a main ingredient.
Whey is really a by-product of cheese and casein manufacture. Whey is made from nearly 20% of original milk proteins.
- Of all proteins, whey is superior in quality and type. It is because the amino acids that come with it are essential building blocks for muscle tissue.
- Whey also carries all the essential amino acids required inside the day by day diet and thus is often called a complete protein. It has the perfect combination of amino acids to help improve body composition.
- Whey protein is really a soluble, simple to digest protein and is efficiently absorbed into the body.
- Cow milk consists of 18% whey protien and 82% casein where as human milk is 67% whey and 33% casein, both with various growth elements. These immunoglobulins that come from the proteins possess a important function in immunological functions.
- Whey protein can also be a sensible choice for the infant nutrition when breast-feeding isn't the option. Additionally, whey protein is an excellent alternative for the expectant mother who needs increased amounts of proteins.
Caseins are a family of phosphoproteins synthesized within the mammary gland. Actually the major fraction of milk proteins comes from caseins.
- Caseins are known for their impact on gut motility along with their immune modulator capacity. Eating caseins has the ability to effect activity and aid in the absorption of other biologically active peptides.
- Casein forms a gel within the gut to slow the transit time of amino acids. This slowed discharge has the capability to enhance absorption.
- Casein has very high natural glutamine content in peptide form. The peptide form enhances absorption due to the peptide transport systems in the digestive tract.
Therefore casein and whey proteins help greatly to satisfy the protein requirements during and after pregnancy. While selecting these protein supplements you should consult your physician concerning their use.
References:
1. Food and Nutrition Board. Recommended Dietary Allowances. 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989.
2. Institute of Medicine Subcommittee on Nutritional Status and Weight Gain During Pregnancy. Nutrition During Pregnancy. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1990.
3. Sanders TAB, Reddy S. The influence of a vegetarian diet on the fatty acid composition of human milk and the essential fatty acid status of the infant. J Peds. 1992:120:S71-S77.
4. Anderson A. Diet and pregnancy: what to advise. Practitioner 1994 Sep; 238(1542): 607-11.
5. Doyle W. Nutrition and pregnancy. Nurs Times 1998 Apr 22-1998 Apr 28; 94(16): Suppl 1-6.
6. Udipi SA, Ghugre P, Antony U. Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation. J Indian Med Assoc 2000 Sep; 98(9): 548-57.
Author Resource:
About Protica Research
Founded in 2001, Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect (www.profect.com), IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility. One area of specialty is the manufacturing of Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for diabetic patients.
You can learn more about Protica at www.protica.com - Copyright - Protica Research