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High percentage of pregnant women deficient in iodine

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NEWS

Experts want iodine to be added to salt after research showed that a lack of the mineral in pregnant women stops half of all children reaching their full academic potential.

COMMENT

It isn’t just iodine that many expectant mothers lack proper amounts of in their daily diets, but a whole range of essential micronutrients. Still unappreciated by many physicians, pregnancy increases the demand for specific nutrients which may not be met through diet alone. Proper nourishment during pregnancy is critical to ensure optimum health for the developing child.

The higher amounts of micronutrients needed during pregnancy are not only required to support the developing child however, they are also necessary to support the increased basal metabolism of the mother’s body. During the first 8 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes rapid changes. Some women experience morning sickness, for example, which can cause them to become particularly prone to micronutrient deficiency. In the absence of a proper supply of micronutrients, complications can occur which may put at risk the health of both the mother and her child.

To learn more about the importance of micronutrients and avoiding dietary deficiencies during pregnancy, we recommend reading parts one and two of the special pregnancy feature article on our website.

Read article in the Daily Telegraph (UK)
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