Every vitamin, every mineral, every nutrient has an important job to do now, for you and your growing baby. Unless otherwise noted, the function of the nutrients can be found in The RDA 10th Edition 1989.
Vitamin A
• Supports healthy skin, eyesight, bone growth, and immune system
Vitamins B1, B2, and Niacin
• Play a central role in the release of energy from food
• Help the nervous system function properly
• Help keep appetite and digestion normal
Vitamin B6
• Helps reduce nausea in pregnant women (Sahakian 1991)
• Helps form red blood cells
Vitamin B12
• Maintains nervous system
• Helps form red blood cells
Vitamin C
• Helps body resist infection and heal wounds
• Helps body absorb iron
• Provides antioxidant protection
Vitamin D
• Helps the body absorb calcium from the digestive tract
• Helps build baby's bones and teeth
Vitamin E
• Provides antioxidant protection
Folic Acid
• Helps protect against birth defects of the brain or spinal cord (March of Dimes 2005)
• Helps prevent certain kinds of anemia
Calcium
• Helps build strong bones and teeth
• Is needed for blood clotting processes
• Is needed for muscle contraction
Copper
• Helps the body transport and use iron
Iron
• Helps red blood cells carry oxygen to the cells and to the developing fetus
• Helps prevent anemia
Zinc
• Supports growth, healthy immune functioning and wound healing
Magnesium
• Helps nerves and muscles function
• Energy
DHA & EPA
• Provides important omega-3 long chain fatty acids (DHA & EPA) for healthy brain and eye development in babies (Hornstra 2000; Uauy 2001)
• Benefits adult heart health (Kris-Etherton 2002; Hibblen 2006)
