Essential Role of Nitrogen and Protein in Pregnancy Nutrition

What N needs increase during pregnancy?-where do these increases come from?

folate, iron, zinc, iodine, b/c you can’t get these higher amounts solely from fds often, a low-dose supp or only choosing n-dense fds help increase n levesl

During pregnancy, there are various nutritional needs that increase, including nitrogen (N) needs. The nitrogen requirement during pregnancy increases to support the growth and development of the fetus and the maternal tissues.

The main source of nitrogen in the body is dietary protein. In pregnancy, the demand for protein increases due to the growth and development of the fetus and the maternal tissues, the expansion of maternal blood volume, and the synthesis of various enzymes and hormones. As a result, the need for nitrogen-containing amino acids such as lysine and methionine increases.

Apart from dietary protein, nitrogen is also obtained from body stores. During pregnancy, the maternal body mobilizes its protein stores to provide the necessary amino acids for the developing fetus and maternal tissues. This is possible due to the increased levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which enhance protein turnover and mobilization.

In summary, during pregnancy, the nitrogen needs increase to support the growth and development of the fetus and maternal tissues, with dietary protein as the primary source and body stores as a secondary source. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to consume an adequate amount of protein-rich foods to meet the increased demand for nitrogen and other essential nutrients.

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