VITAMIN B

All essential nutrients that are required for the functioning of the body are brought under vitamin B complex. Among them, thiamine Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2 that is riboflavin, Vitamin B6 that is niacin, Vitamin B12 that is cyano cobalamine is very important ones.

They function as co-factors from the enzymes and coenzymes required for body functions like, cell respiration, glucose metabolism etc.

Vitamin B1 deficiency may result in lack of appetite, swelling, low pulse, arthritis, which is the long run may cause Beri Beri.

Niacin deficiency may cause anemia, loss of weight, excessive morning sickness etc.

Deficiency of riboflavin causes mouth ulcers, skin irritation, indigestion, skin blisters etc.

Folic acid deficiency causes anemia.

B complex are not available in any single food. Milk, whole grains other cereals, pulses, dark green vegetables, eggs, and meat should be eaten together to get full complement of all the vitamins Bs.

Folic acid

This is one of the B complex vitamins. This is involved In the formation of DNA and RNA which are the basic genetic material is impaired without folic acid.

This is important for the growth of the fetus and for blood production in the mother. Recent reports have proved that sufficient intake of folic acid by mother during the early period of pregnancy would reduce chances of impaired development of the nervous system in the fetus.

Green vegetables, greens, liver, yeast, beans, legumes, nuts, and full grains are rich in folic acids. About 80% of folic acid content is lost while cooking and preserving. Hence a supplement of this nutrient is prescribed them.

VITAMINS AND IT’S ESSENTIALS DURING PREGNANT

Vitamins are highly essential for the normal functioning of the body. These are vital elements that the body requires in small quantities through food. They control the metabolism of nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats directly. They also regulate the reaction s that is caused by maintenance of body tissues.

More than one vitamin is required for most of the defense mechanisms of the body. deficiency of one would cause improper functioning of the other.

Please tell us in detail about the vitamins required during pregnancy. Tell us what foods are rich in these vitamins. Also tell us what happen if these are low in the food we take.

Vitamin A is required for the maintenance of the mucus membrane that is involved in increasing the body’s defense against infections. ‘A’ deficiency would result in drying up of the skin. Burning sensation in the eye, night blindness, impaired wounded healing capacity etc. vitamin A is also required for normal growth of bones and growth of teeth.

Animal products like milk products like milk, butter, egg yolk, liver, fish oil and vegetables foods like papaya, carrots, cabbage ,greens, radish, curry, leaves, yellow pumpkin, green peas, green chilies, corn tomato and banana and vanaspati are rich in Vitamin A.

Carotene found in the vegetables is a precursor for Vitamin A. Dark green and dark yellow vegetables and fruits have contents of this precursor form.

AVOID UNNECESSARY WEIGHT

The body starts accumulating fat due to the stimulation of the hormone progesterone. This is to keep in store enough fat if and when the mother does not enough nutrition. Generally fat accumulated during pregnancy occurs in the lower abdomen and upper thighs. This increase begins the middle of the second or third month of pregnancy.

You should avoid putting on unnecessary weight. You should reduce intake of foods that are rich in calories but low in proteins vitamins and minerals. Fried foods, creams, sweets, chocolates, sugar, glucose, cakes, starch foods, biscuits, jam, honey and honey containing foods should avoided.

If you continue to put on weight despite following the above restrictions, then you should consult the doctor . increase in weight of more than half a kilo per week could result in complications.

DIET AND IT’S IMPORTANT WHEN PREGNANT

Very strict dieting is likely to result in very small and overweight babies. The baby will have reduced resistance in addition to having nutrition deficiencies. If your body weight is too much there are not much chances of losing weight after delivery. Try eating low calorie foods and do mild exercises like walking and swimming. But see to it that you don’t lose out on the essential nutrients during pregnancy. Consult dietician for advice.

I have a craving for sweets and milk products. my friend is advising me to avoid them and get used to eating some other foods. What other kind of foods should I take?

Milk, milk products and sweets have a lot of fat in them. So there is a possibility of putting on weight. Low calorie food and low fat food like vegetables and fruits should be your choice.

Your body weight should not increase by more than 10 and 12 kg than your normal weight during pregnancy. Both overweight and underweight could be risky. If the body weight does not increase beyond a point or becomes less, there are chances of premature delivery or still birth. When the weight is more, the baby would have toxemia apart from other complications; the baby is likely to suffer from problems associated with overweight at a later date. Take medical advice to maintain your weight and take a well balanced diet.

ASANAS FOR LEG KNEE AND BREAST

Lie down on the bed flat. Raise your feet and support your legs against the wall. Stay like this for 2-5 minutes. You can alter this posture according to the stage of pregnancy. For example , in the correct angle with buttocks leaning on the walls. But as pregnancy progresses, due to pressure from th diaphragm,correct position may be possible.

So to accommodate the angle, move the body away from the wall. Take rest for a while after lowering the legs. Do the same again.

This is an easy way to increase blood supply to the legs. Apart from that rest it relieves fatigue, swelling, muscle cramps and varicose veins.

Knee-breast asana: Lie face down and raise the body alone. This brings the knees and the breast closer.keep the breast on the ground so that the knees are one foot away. Stay like this for about 2 minutes.

This helps a lot to relieve lower back pain. Also relieves pain due to piles ,swelling around the genitals, cramps in the thighs, buttocks and from heaviness in the pelvic region.