미국 연구결과, 임신 중 영양섭취가 중요한 이유는 무엇일까?

 

임신 중 영양섭취가 중요한이유

 

미국의 연구결과에서 발췌한 내용입니다. 

아기가 태아중에 있을 때 영양이 아기의 뇌발달에 많은 영향을 미친다고합니다. 엄마의 영양부족은 나중에 아기의 발달과 인식능력에 대해 문제를 일으킨다고합니다. 

아기가 영양분의 부족 상태에 놓이면 세포의 생산성이나 크기와 복잡성 그리고 뇌와 세포의 커뮤니케이션 능력감도에 영향을 미친다고합니다. 이것이 앞에서 말한것 처럼 장기적으로 보면 인지문제나 학습 그리고 기억에도 영향을 미친다고합니다. 

특히 아기의 두뇌의 성장속도가 가장빠른 3년의 기간동안의 영양섭취 역시 중요합니다.  이때 발달한 두뇌의 상태가 아기의 일생에 영향을 미치기 때문에 사소한 영양결핍이 심각한 결과를 초래할 수도 있다고 말하고 있습니다.  

특히 태어나서 6개월은 모유수유의 중요성을 강조하고 있습니다. 모유는 생후 6개월간 가장 최적화된 식이요법이기 때문에 생후 6개월간 모유만 단독으로 먹이는 것이 아기의 뇌발달, 영양상태, 그리고 인지능력 향상과 연관이 있다고 합니다. 

임산부에게 좋은 영양소

1. 철분 - 철분은 아이의 인지발달에 중요하다고 합니다. 철분은 육류, 물고기, 두부 우유등에 들어있다고 합니다. 

2. 아연 - 심장을 규칙적으로 뛰게하고, 다른 중요한 과정을 조절하는 뇌 발달에 영향을 미친다고합니다. 아연의 부족의 뇌 기능저하에 영향을 준다고 합니다. 아연은 달걀이나 조개류를 통해 섭취할 수 있다고합니다. 

3. 콜린(비타민 B복합체의 하나)- 초기 두뇌발달에 영양을 미치고 특히 기억력이나 학습에 영향을 준다고합니다. 땅공, 달걀 그리고 간 등을 통해서 섭취할 수 있다고 합니다. 

4. 비타민 A - 비타민 A는 아이의 뇌세포의 적절한 성장과 기능유지에 필요하다고 합니다. 달걀, 우유, 시금치, 당근 등을 통해 섭취할 수 있다고합니다. 

5. 엽산 - 엽산은 특히 임신초기에 정상적인 뇌발달에 영향을 미친다고합니다. 엽산의 결핍은 나중에 심각한 사회적 그리고 행동적 문제를 일으킬 수 있다고합니다. 

 

미국 자료를 토대로 보면 불행하게도 상당히 많은 임산부가 영양분 부족 상태에 있다고 합니다. 이자료는 1500명의 임산부를 대상으로 조사한 내용입니다. 

 

자료에서 발췌한 영양분 결핍대상비율

 

 

콜린의 결핍률이 가장 높았으며, 그다음 철분, 비타민 A, 엽산 그리고 아연 순이였습니다. 

임산부라면 다들 잘 드실려고 노력할 텐데.. 생각보다 결핍되는 영양소가 많다는 것에 대해서 놀랐습니다. 아마도 아기에게 전달되는 영양분이 있다보니 섭취도 더 많이 해야하는 것 같습니다. 

 

영양분 섭취가 뇌 발달에 중요한 이유(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGXIZOZkQzE)

아래는 참고한 자료의 내용입니다. (읽어보세요~)

Nutrition is critical for a child’s brain development Nutrition is the single greatest environmental influence on babies in the womb and during infancy, and it remains essential throughout the first years of life.1 Prenatal malnutrition, for example, has been linked to later adverse health and cognitive outcomes.2 Likewise, malnutrition in infancy and early childhood is a key risk factor for cognitive deficits, lower academic achievement, and behavior problems. A proper balance of nutrients in this formative period is critical for normal brain development.4,5 Nutritional shortages can reduce cell production, affect cell size and complexity, and lead to less efficient communication between brain cells.6 Too often, the long-term results include altered cognitive functioning and deficits in learning and memory.1,7 Moreover, because of the rapid pace and lifelong effects of brain development in a child’s first three years, even mild or temporary nutritional deficits can have serious and sometimes irreversible consequences.4,8,9 Good nutrition, on the other hand, promotes positive outcomes. The benefits of breastfeeding provide a good illustration of the importance of proper early nutrition. Because breast milk is the optimal diet for healthy babies in the first six months of life, exclusive breastfeeding during this period has been consistently linked to improved brain development, nutritional status, and cognitive performance.7,10-12 Without the right amounts of the right nutrients, a baby’s brain cannot reach its potential. Although genetic and disease-related factors can contribute to malnutrition, a mother’s diet plays the central role in prenatal nutrition. Adequate and balanced nutritional intake during pregnancy promotes maternal and fetal health, positive birth outcomes, and child development in infancy and beyond. Poor prenatal nutrition hinders healthy brain development and can have permanent effects on learning and behavior.1 A shortage of nutrients can pose a serious threat to the developing brain, from the earliest embryonic stages of growth to the production of synapses later in pregnancy.13 Expectant mothers often have low levels of essential brain-building nutrients. All nutrients are important for a baby’s growing brain, but some have been found to be especially critical. These include iron, zinc, choline, vitamin A, and folate (or folic acid).6 Iron is important for brain areas involved in cognitive development,7 and recent research has also found links between iron deficiency and social and emotional outcomes.14Meat, poultry and fish are key dietary sources of iron. Others include tofu, dairy, and fortified grains.15 Zinc can affect the brain’s ability to regulate heart rate and other vital processes. Zinc deficiencies can impair the brain’s function and even its structure, leading to delays in cognitive and motor development.6,16,17Eggs and shellfish are important sources of zinc. Some nuts, legumes, and red meats are also high in zinc.15 Choline plays an essential role in early brain development, especially in areas involving learning and memory.18Milk, eggs, peanuts, and liver are among the foods richest in choline.15 Vitamin A is closely involved in genetic processes and is required for the proper growth and functioning of brain cells.19Cod liver oil, eggs, and milk are high in vitamin A. Vegetables like carrots and spinach are also excellent sources.15 Folate is critical for normal brain development, especially in early pregnancy. Deficiencies can cause severe abnormalities and may be associated with later social and behavioral problems.20,21Folate is provided by leafy green vegetables, citrus fruit juices, beans, and fortified grains.15 Unfortunately, women of childbearing age are likely to get too little of these critical nutrients, and many pregnant women are found to have substantial deficiencies. This is especially true among disadvantaged groups. Low-income women, minority women, and women with less than a high school education—who already face more health risks than other women—are also particularly vulnerable to iron and folate deficiencies.13,22,23 In Memphis and Shelby County, many children are affected by malnutrition beginning in the womb. A current University of Tennessee study of Shelby County mothers-to-be shows that many of our community’s children face nutritional risks even before they are born. The CANDLE study (Conditions Affecting Neurological Development and Learning in Early childhood) has collected data on the nutritional status of about 1,500 pregnant women.24 The results (Figure 1) paint a grim picture. Substantial percentages of participating women had inadequate levels of the nutrients that are most essential for healthy brain development: One-third of the participants do not meet the recommended levels of folate. Three-quarters of participants have insufficient levels of iron. Over one-quarter had too little zinc. Over half had deficiencies of vitamin A. Over three-quarters had insufficient choline. These findings are consistent with national research in three important ways. First, they show that nutritional risk is not restricted to individuals suffering severe clinical malnutrition. Women eligible for the CANDLE study are considered to have relatively low-risk, healthy pregnancies. Second, shortages of the nutrients most closely linked to brain development appear to be the most common deficiencies. For many other nutrients measured by the study (not shown), only a small percentage of women were below the recommended levels. Third, and most important, the current results underscore that nutritional risk is distressingly common. Because CANDLE participants, as a group, are roughly representative of the local population, we can reasonably assume that similar patterns would be found among expectant mothers throughout Memphis and Shelby County. Although these preliminary findings do not allow us to make specific projections or draw hard conclusions, it is clear that nutritional deficiencies are a widespread threat to our children’s healthy development.