Zinc Supplementation for Neurobehavioral Development

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Study of Maternal Zinc Levels associated with Fetal Neurobehavioral Development

Objective: Our objective was to examine whether improvement in maternal zinc

status during pregnancy is positively associated with fetal neurobehavioral

development in a Peruvian population.

Study Design: We electronically monitored, at 32 and 36 weeks’ gestation, 55

fetuses whose mothers were randomly assigned to receive, during pregnancy, a

daily supplement containing 60 mg iron and 250 µg folate, with or without 15 mg

zinc. Fetal heart rate and movement patterns were quantified in 55 and 34

fetuses, respectively, as indexes of neurobehavioral development.

Results: Fetuses of mothers who received zinc supplementation showed fewer

episodes of minimal fetal heart rate variability, increased fetal heart rate

range, an increased number of accelerations, an increased number of movement

bouts, an increased amount of time spent moving, and an increased number of

large movements. Differences by supplementation type increased with gestational

age and were statistically significant at 36 weeks’ gestation (P < .05).

Conclusion: Improving maternal zinc status through prenatal supplementation may

improve fetal neurobehavioral development. (Am J Obstet Gynecol

1998;180:483-90.)

zinc is the one mineral that tends to be low in the mother's body even with

prenatal vitamins -possibly because iron competes with zinc for absorption

(Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon).

According to many respondents on the Pregnancy History survey, strictly taking

prenatal vitamins during pregnancy was a common denominator. Food sources might

be beneficial to try, along with prenatal vitamins.

Zinc has been called the " intelligence mineral. " 15 mg is the RDA, pregnant or

not.

Food sources: (given as mg. per 3.5 oz. serving): pumpkin seeds (7.5),

gingerroot (6.8), nuts (3 to 4), whole wheat (3.2), oats (3.2), lima beans

(3.1), green peas (1.6), garlic (.6).

Interestingly enough, many mothers (like me) were severely nauseated while

pregnant, which could be a clue that we did not have enough zinc. Ginger, one

of the great sources of zinc, is known to be " probably one of the best

antinauseant remedies around. " ( White, MD)

Ginger can ease nausea and vomiting. In one clinical trial of women with severe

nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, namely hyperemesis gravidarum, 250 mg. of

powdered gingerroot four times a day significantly reduced discomfort. Choose

from fresh, dried, or powdered ginger, ginger tea, or crystallized ginger. Find

your favorite type and place it by your bed-side to sip or nibble first thing in

the morning. Gladstar's recipe for ginger tea is as follows: grate one to two

teaspoons of fresh gingerroot, simmer in a cup of water for a few minutes, and

add honey and lemon to taste. Mindy Green, herbalist and co-author of

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, recommends an herbal tea of

meadowsweet, spearmint, ginger, and chamomile.

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