The brain is a highly complex structure with the same nutritional requirements as most other structures in the body. However, there are specific nutrients needed by the brain in order for it to function normally. Vitamins are one such nutrient. In...
Good nutrition during the first trimester of pregnancy especially is important for the proper development of the fetal brain. The nervous system of an unborn baby has begun to form often before the mother has even discovered that she is pregnant....
Fetal brain development begins between the second and third week after conception, according to the book "The DANA Guide to Brain Health." Since most women don't know they are pregnant until they miss at least one period, your fetus's brain will...
You might have heard that fish oil supplements are healthy for you during pregnancy and help to foster appropriate fetal brain development. Conversely, you might have heard that you shouldn't take fish oil because of the risk of mercury...
Fetal development depends not only on maternal hormones, genetic codes and environmental factors, but on nutritional supplies within the body of the mother as well. What you eat during your pregnancy has a great impact on the long-term health...
The development of a baby's brain in the womb is the foundation of life after birth. Development is rapid and spectacular in areas of critical reflexes and movement yet much slower in thought and memory. These processes await sweeping...
You might have heard that omega-3 fatty acids are a very healthy component of diet, especially during pregnancy. Not only are they anti-inflammatory, meaning that they can help reduce your risk of heart disease and other inflammatory conditions,...
Fish contain dietary components that the human body cannot make on its own. However, the danger of contamination might give you pause when reaching for a plate of salmon or opening a can of tuna. Understand the role fish play in your diet and how...
Gestational diabetes may affect up to 4 percent of pregnant women, notes the American Diabetes Association. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can interfere with your body's ability to manage glucose, leading to high blood sugar levels and insulin...
The herb ginger has a wide range of medicinal uses. Consuming fresh ginger can have health benefits during pregnancy. However, the U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that consuming ginger while pregnant is sometimes dangerous. Talk to a...
Because the body can only produce small amounts of choline, it is considered an essential nutrient that must be acquired through diet. Choline is important in cells and tissues all throughout the body as well as during fetal development....
Scrambled eggs are a breakfast favorite. At an average cost of about 14 cents per egg, they are an affordable source of protein. Eggs also provide the body with 13 necessary nutrients, such as iron, protein, choline, riboflavin and lutein.
The development of the brain in an unborn child depends a great deal on the health and nutrition of the pregnant mother. Eating right and getting enough essential vitamins can mean the difference between a healthy, well-developed child and one...
A pregnant woman's diet and health have significant effects on the baby she carries because her body bears sole responsibility for nourishing and forming the fetus. Accordingly, when an expecting mother experiences malnourishment, her baby also...
Fish oil supplements are an easy and convenient way to incorporate more heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids into your diet. During pregnancy, this is of particular importance. However, you may be concerned about whether fish oil supplements might be...
Your thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and produces an important hormone that regulates metabolism. Located in your neck above the larynx, the most common thyroid problem is hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. Your weight, sex...
Ensuring that you have a strong and healthy child starts with supporting brain growth during pregnancy. To do this, you need to make the right dietary choices for your unborn children throughout his prenatal development. By exploring the dietary...
Omega-3 oil contains the essential fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Besides reducing inflammation and boosting the metabolism, DHA and EPA play a role in fetal brain development and improve brain function in adulthood....
As a mother-to-be, one of your biggest concerns is to make sure your fetus in the womb grows healthily and normally. One of your worries is whether you are providing him with all the nutrition he needs for the best brain development. Since what...
Fetal brain development is a complex process, and the nutrients you take in during pregnancy directly affect your baby's brain. While overall malnutrition can limit fetal development in general, there are some nutrients that are particularly...
What if there was a pill that could help prevent postpartum depression, improve your child's behavior and increase your child's IQ? Well, that pill just might already exist. Research published in the "Journal of Pediatrics" has shown omega-3 fatty...
Fish are high in protein, low in saturated fat and high in many trace minerals. Many species of fish are rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid, which helps foster fetal brain development. Unfortunately, however,...
According to Natural Health & Vegetarian Life, hemp seed is considered a nut with an outer shell, sheath and an inner kernel. Some types of hemp seed can contain up to 50 percent oil and hemp seed oil is considered one of nature's most...
Pregnant women often appear very healthy. During your pregnancy, you may have glowing skin, thick hair and strong nails. These all come from the effects of pregnancy hormones, and they're impossible to replicate outside of pregnancy. You can't...
Quinoa is classified as a grain, but is actually a seed from a plant related to Swiss chard and spinach. When cooked, it has a fluffy texture and a mild, nutty flavor. Use quinoa like rice or other grains in recipes, and benefit from its high...
During your pregnancy, your nutrition plays an important role in determining how healthy you and your baby will be. Your body has a difficult task for nine months, in supporting a growing baby, and the baby also needs nutrients in order to grow...
Eggs are often denigrated as a high-cholesterol food that should not be part of your daily diet, but eating eggs on a regular basis may benefit your health by supplying several important nutrients. MayoClinic.com notes that if you are healthy and...
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids, meaning your body can't make them and they need to come from your diet. Omega-3s play a beneficial role in pregnancy for both the mother and baby. According to the American Pregnancy Association,...
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that are required for healthy functioning of the human body. These compounds cannot be synthesized by the body naturally and are usually acquired by consuming foods such as salmon, tuna, halibut, and other...
