Healthy babies are the result of good maternal nutrition.

A renaissance of research into maternal nutrition is beginning to show the direct relationship to the immediate and long term health of your child.

Recent research suggests that several major diseases of adulthood had their origins in the womb.

A new study of over 25,000 people revealed that coronary heart disease, hypertension and diabetes might be the consequence of poor maternal nutrition. This is called programming, where these diseases are programmed due to insufficient nutrient supply. The fetus will adapt to low levels of essential nutrients. But the result is believed to be a permanent change in metabolism and structure. Low rates of fetal growth are associated with cardiovascular disease in later life. Impaired growth affects many babies whose birth weight is normal.

Because you want your baby to have the best start and the healthiest life, you need to consider supplementing your diet with a full spectrum multivitamin/mineral supplement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ODO) reported that women could reduce the risk of having a child with a congenital birth defect if they take multivitamins before and during pregnancy. It is well established that folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects. But other vitamins help support a healthy pregnancy and birth as well.

Vitamins A, B12, B6, Vitamin C and Zinc may provide insurance for a healthy pregnancy too. Antioxidant vitamins C and E may prevent complications during pregnancy. Biotin is important for cellular function and growth and fetal development.

Recent research suggests that maternal nutritional status directly impacts the healthy development of your child's heart and kidneys.

Many medical studies support the use of antioxidants, and particularly natural ( d-alpha tocopherol) vitamin E, during pregnancy to help reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress. Antioxidants provide the potential benefits of supporting the healthy growth, development and maintenance of the placenta. The placenta is involved in transporting nutrients to the developing fetus. Thus, a healthy placenta is essential to a having a healthy baby. These antioxidants taken during pregnancy also provide support for healthy development of the fetus, including support for normal development of the retina, brain, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and kidneys.

Experts like Robert Acuff, Professor and Director for Nutrition Research at East Tennessee State University, have conducted research showing that pregnant women and those in their child-bearing years should be taking natural vitamin E supplements because this form is the most bioavailable and thus is better absorbed by the mother and transported to the baby most efficiently.

Very low birth weight babies and premature infants often show vitamin E deficiency. This has been linked to the complications these infants experience later in life.The protective effect of prenatal vitamins taken before and during pregnancy is evident in the research on folic acid and neural tube defects. But, a good multivitamin offers help to reduce the risk of other birth defects like cleft lip and palate, cardiovascular defects, urinary tract defects, limb defects and more.

Vitamin A is essential to normal fetal development. Zinc supplementation during pregnancy has been linked with improved fetal neurobehavioral development. Other studies suggest that prenatal supplementation may decrease the risk of brain tumors.

Biotin is necessary for cellular function and growth and because it cannot be produced in the body, the fetus is dependent on the maternal biotin supply.

Magnesium routinely given to pregnant women to treat high blood pressure and premature labor also may sharply reduce the risk of cerebral palsy and mental retardation in their babies. In one study, babies born to women that received magnesium had a 90-percent lower prevalence of cerebral palsy and 70-percent lower prevalence of mental retardation. Although the exact relation is unclear, researchers speculated that magnesium may somehow prevent fetal brain hemorrhage or block the harmful effects of a diminished oxygen supply to the brain.

The fetus accumulates the most iron in the last trimester, and draws on the mother's stores as its source for iron. Iron deficiency may cause spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, low birth weight, still birth, and perinatal death due to the lack of oxygen in the mother's cells

In the United States, at least 7.8 million adolescent girls and premenopausal women are iron deficient.

Getting enough copper during pregnancy may be important for the baby's brain development, according to an AgriculturalResearch study of newborn rat pups.

Recent research suggests a link between copper deficiency during pregnancy and neurological defects offspring. These findings may have implications for people in industrialized nations, says Tom Johnson, a researcher with the Department of Agriculture. The brain has several copper-containing enzymes that would suffer from a shortage of copper. Copper deficiency also reduces the activity of several enzymes that don't contain copper.

Pregnancy puts great demands on your body and requires adaptation. Many pregnant women are at risk for pregnancy related diabetes. Abnormal glucose tolerance curves are observed in the majority of pregnant women during the last trimester of pregnancy. Normally, pregnant women maintain plasma glucose levels within a narrow range during the course of a day, but there is a marked increase in insulin after each major meal, and a lower fasting glucose level starting early in pregnancy. The lower amounts are maintained until close to delivery, attributed to increased utilization of glucose by tissues. This level is significantly lower in malnourished women.

Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in the metabolism of glucose, insulin and blood lipids. Sub optimal dietary intake of chromium is associated with increased risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Chromium has been shown to have beneficial effects in people with glucose intolerance and may be useful in gestational diabetes.

It is well known that latent diabetes may become unmasked during pregnancy. In addition to the needs of the fetus, high levels of circulating hormones are responsible for impairment in glucose tolerance. There is a correlation between low birthweight babies and growth retardation and poor glucose tolerance for the mother. When glucose levels fall dangerously low, babies suffer mental retardation.

Disturbances of glucose metabolism in malnourished infants can sometimes be positively influenced by the addition of chromium to the formula.

Choline is found in most foods and is now classified as a nutrient. This compound performs many important functions in the body. Among other things, it is essential for brain development in the fetus, and laboratory rats given prenatal choline supplements have better memories as they age than other rats. A recent article in Science suggests that humans that get a high level of dietary choline early in life may be more intelligent and retain their mental abilities as they age.

Vitamin D has been identified as having significant impact on newborn bone mineral content and developing fetal bone. A deficiency may affect fetal bone mineralization and contribute to poor fetal skeletal development.

What should a good prenatal contain?

Vitamin A Function: Needed for cell development, tooth bud formation and bone growth. Vitamin A is essential for normal cellular differentiation and in regulating organ development in the fetus and there is evidence that vitamin A deficiency also leads to birth defects.

Vitamin C Function: Speeds healing of wounds and bones; increases resistance to infection. Helps make collagen in connective tissue; builds strong cells; helps body use iron, calcium and folic acid.

Vitamin D Function: Helps body use calcium and phosphorous; needed for strong bones and teeth.
Promotes Calcium absorption in both the mother and child, thereby, becoming critical during bone development for the fetus.

Vitamin E Function: Important as an antioxidant that supports healthy circulation, promotes tissue repair and healing and helps maintain normal blood clotting. Prevents anemia in premature infants

Thiamine (B1) Function: Helps body digest carbohydrates; needed for normal functioning of nervous system,
heart and muscles and boosts your stamina.

Riboflavin (B2) Function: Helps body release energy to cells; helps you metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins, supports healthy eyes and skin and aids in the production of hormones.

Niacin Function: Promotes healthy skin, nerves and digestion; helps the body use carbohydrates

Vitamin B6 Function: Helps form red blood cells; essential for processing carbohydrates, lipids, fats; making DNA. Plays a role in protein metabolism, the formation of hemoglobin, the healthy functioning of your digestive and nervous systems, and helps maintain healthy skin.

Folic Acid Function: Needed to produce protein and blood; cell growth/division and function; helps with hemoglobin formation; DNA, RNA synthesis. May reduce a woman's risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord birth defect. Also helps support and maintains a healthy cardiovascular system.

Vitamin B12 Function: Needed in the formation of red blood cells and helps maintain a healthy nervous system.

Biotin Function: Helps you maintain healthy hair and skin. Biotin functions in the manufacture and utilization of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It is a cofactor for several enzymes, and is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and the synthesis of proteins. Biotin supports the growth and development of healthy nerve tissue and aids in the use of B vitamins and synthesis of Ascorbic acid. Biotin in combination with these other B vitamins can support healthy skin metabolism.

Pantothenic Acid Function: Supports a healthy immune system and also aids in the production of hormones. It is essential to proper metabolism of the foods you eat.

Calcium Function: Strengthens bone, teeth; helps blood clot; builds muscle and nerve response
The last trimester is when skeletal growth is highest. The fetus draws calcium, like iron, directly from the mother's stores.

Iron Function: Carries oxygen in blood prevents anemia (in expectant mothers); increases resistance to infection.

Iodine Function: Needed for increased maternal basal metabolic rate

Magnesium Function: Needed for nerve and muscle functions; helps body process carbohydrates.

Zinc Function: Needed to produce insulin, aids synthesis of protein, DNA and RNA helps to create new skin and sperm cells, supports the immune system.

Selenium Function: Activates a key antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase. It activates substances that protect the eyes and the heart. It binds with toxic substances to make them less harmful. Selenium is needed to make thyroid hormones. It supports the healthy formation of sperm and boosts your immune system.

Copper Function: Helps body use iron; aids energy metabolism

Manganese Function: For healthy skin, bone and cartilage. It also plays a role in forming SOD and other enzymes necessary to prevent tissue damage

Chromium Function: Acting as a cofactor to insulin, chromium plays a vital role in energy production, muscle development, fat and cholesterol metabolism, and regulation of blood sugar levels.

Potassium Function: Maintains proper muscle tone and fluid balance

Choline is a precursor of acetylcholine, a stimulatory neurotransmitter. It also helps in the production of lipotropic agents that convert fats into fuel and in the production of HDL (good) cholesterol. These nutrients help you maintain a healthy circulatory system and normal regulation of cholesterol and sugar levels. Choline supports a healthy nervous system and normal mental function.

Inositol provides the nutrient necessary to make cellular membranes. It helps to maintain proper electrical energy and nutrient transfer across the cell membrane

Bioflavanoids are a variety of substances that support health as anti-inflammatory agents, antihistamine agents, and antiviral agents. Soy isoflavones are bioflavanoids. They support healthy blood vessels. People who eat bioflavanoids in large amounts, have shown a lower than average risk of getting cancer. Bioflavanoids aid in improved absorption of vitamin C.

PABA helps maintain healthy skin.

Why Maxi Prenatal Products?

Essential ingredients usually not found in prescriptive and non-prescriptive prenatal formulas

Amino Acid Chelates - selected mineral and trace elements with maximum bioavailability, tolerability and safety. We use only the finest mineral amino acid chelates, from Albion Labs® formulated to survive the gastrointestinal system, and protect the sensitive mucousal membranes of the stomach and intestines from irritation.

Ester C® - a non-acidic and Body-Ready®, natural vitamin C and metabolites that are readily absorbed and go to work as soon as you take it.

Natural Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopheryl succinate) - found to be superior in absorption to the synthetic forms (dl type) and its respective acetates.

ChroMate® Chromium (chromium polynicotinate) - This brand of chromium, found to be 18 times more biologically active than other chromium compounds is an organic complex that contains niacin as well as cystiene and other nutrients

Biotin - a cofactor for several enzymes, and is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and the synthesis of proteins. Biotin supports the growth and development of healthy nerve tissue and aids in the use of B vitamins and synthesis of ascorbic acid.

Pantothenic Acid - Supports a healthy immune system and also aids in the production of hormones. It is essential for proper metabolism of food and is vital during pregnancy.

Iron (ferrous fumarate) - This iron form is easily absorbed and low constipating

Magnesium (magnesium citrate) - This natural source of magnesium provides the body with additional magnesium as well as a non-irritating stool softener much needed during pregnancy.

Inositol - provides the nutrient necessary to make cellular membranes. It helps to maintain proper electrical energy and nutrient transfer across the cell membrane.

When it comes to your health and the health of your baby, Maxi Health Research® knows what counts. We want you to have the best choice available.

Do it right for yourself and your baby, try Maxi Health Prenatal Formula today.

For more information about our prenatal products click below:

Maxi Prenatal- Complete prenatal formula - 3 a day

Maxi One Prenatal - One a day prenatal formula

*The information provided is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.
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References:

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