Why should you take MamaCare?

During the months prior to conceiving and throughout pregnancy, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recommends supplementation with particular nutrients for pregnant and breastfeeding women that are included in MamaCare. Those considered essential for a healthy pregnancy are:

Folic Acid
Folic Acid is essential for the healthy development of babies in early pregnancy as it helps protect against birth defects. In the first four to six weeks of pregnancy, the neural tube closes and fuses. This tube later becomes the baby’s brain and spinal cord. A diet low in folate can increase the chances of the neural tube not closing properly, which can result in a neural tube defect (NTD), such as Spina Bifida. At least 400mcg of Folic Acid daily is recommended for 3 months before conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects.

Iodine
Iodine is an essential nutrient that is vital for the normal growth & development of the brain and nervous system before birth, in babies and young children. During the first two trimesters of pregnancy, babies can’t produce their own Iodine and rely on their mothers Iodine intake to optimize their brain and nervous system development. Supplementation of 150mcg/day is recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Iron
Iron is important to help produce extra blood cells to cater for the growth of the baby and placenta. The recommended intake of Iron during pregnancy is 27mg, and whilst you should be able to get all the iron you need from iron rich foods such as meats, leafy greens, legumes, it is recommended to supplement your intake.

Vitamin D
Pregnant women are at increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency which is needed to regulate the levels of Calcium and Phosphate in your body, to help build strong bones and teeth in your baby. As very few foods contain enough Vitamin D, in order to obtain the recommended daily dose of 6mcg Vitamin D, it is recommended pregnant women may benefit from supplementation.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is known to help in the development of your baby’s brain, muscles & nervous system. It is thought that taking the combination of Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 is more effective than taking Folic Acid alone. The recommended daily intake of Vitamin B12 is 2.6mcg daily.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Your body uses Niacin to turn food into energy as well as for DNA and cell differentiation. In pregnant women it helps assist in the normal development of your unborn baby’s brain .The RDI for pregnancy is 18mg per day.

Calcium
When you are pregnant your developing baby needs Calcium to help build strong bones and teeth. It is also needed for a healthy heart, nerves and muscles. The RDI for pregnancy is 1000mg calcium daily. Milk is one of the best sources of Calcium and highly recommended for supplying the increased needs of Calcium during pregnancy. MamaCare is milk based.

Protein
The amino acids in Protein are the building blocks of human cells, and as your baby’s cells are multiplying rapidly, your Protein intake needs to increase as your pregnancy progresses. Insufficient Protein may impair the development of the placenta and fetus.