Oh Mama! was formulated with input from doctors, nutritionists and food chemists to be safe and effective for women regardless of other foods and dietary supplements consumed in their daily diets. Specifically, the bar provides the correct amounts of vitamins and minerals most difficult to get in a typical diet and most important to the health of both mother and child.

The bar’s vitamin mixture is comprised principally of water-soluble vitamins and minerals. Water soluble vitamins are vitamins that are not stored in the body for long so daily consumption is essential. When excess amounts of water soluble vitamins are present in the body they are excreted in the urine.

In contrast, fat-soluble vitamins cannot be absorbed without the help of dietary fat and are stored in fatty tissue. Fat-soluble vitamins are more difficult than water-soluble vitamins to excrete and large dosages of fat-soluble vitamins can be harmful. The fat-soluble vitamins in Oh Mama! are limited to small amounts that are safely taken in conjunction with both prenatal vitamins and a healthy diet.

The following is summary information about important vitamins and minerals for women during the reproductive years. Please see your doctor or nutritionist for specific nutritional advice.

DHA – Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that is important to both mother and baby throughout pregnancy and while nursing. Why is DHA important? DHA is critical for brain, eye, and central nervous development and function. It is the principal structural fat that makes up the gray matter of the brain and the eye’s retina. However, DHA is not made by our bodies, it must be accumulated from diet or supplements.

There are not many sources of DHA in the average American diet. Fatty fish and animal organ meats are the primary sources of DHA. Current nutritional guidelines caution pregnant women to limit their consumption of fish due to concerns about mercury intake, so the problem is compounded.

A mother transfers most of the DHA needed for development to her baby during the third trimester when much of fetal brain, eye, and central nervous development occurs. The content of DHA in a mother’s diet will determine the amount of DHA passed on to the developing baby.

• A recent study showed that children whose mothers took a DHA supplement during pregnancy scored higher on intelligence tests at four years of age than children of mothers not taking DHA supplements. 1

• Some studies suggest breastfed babies have an IQ of 6-10 points higher than formula-fed babies. Medical and nutritional experts attribute this difference to the DHA infants receive while nursing. 2, 3, 4

• Visual acuity is positively affected through the intake of DHA while nursing.

• DHA may be linked to the length of gestation and may reduce the chances of preterm labor. In a trial of women receiving DHA supplementation during the third trimester, the average length of gestation increased six days. 5

• Increasing maternal levels of DHA may also reduce the chances of postpartum depression. Scientists have found low levels of DHA in mother’s milk and in the red blood cells of women with postpartum depression. 6 A mother may lose 3% of her brain mass during the third trimester as she is transferring DHA to her fetus. At six weeks postpartum, levels of DHA in new mothers remain lower than levels of non pregnant women.

A workshop at the National Institutes of Health recommended an adequate intake of 300 mg/day of DHA for pregnant and lactating women. 7 In a recent study of 112 pregnant or lactating women the average level of DHA intake was 54/mg day – 18% of the level recommended by experts. Oh Mama! provides 150mg/bar of DHA.

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin (B9). Folate should be taken before conception and during pregnancy to reduce the developing baby’s chance of developing neural tube defects and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Neural tube defects like Anencephaly and Spina Bifida typically occur in the first few weeks of fetal development – often before a mother even knows she is pregnant. Thus it is very important that women who could become pregnant get enough folate in their diets on a regular basis.

The recommended daily intake of folate is 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) for non-pregnant women and 600 micrograms for pregnant women. Oh Mama! contains 400 micrograms of folic acid per bar. Folate and folic acid are difficult to obtain in sufficient quantities through a regular diet. This is why doctors urge women to take a multivitamin with folate every day.

Increased iron intake is required during pregnancy because of the demand for iron from the developing baby and placenta as well as from the mother’s own red blood cell expansion. Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most common pregnancy complications. Iron deficiency has also been associated with low birth weight and preterm delivery.

Most pregnant women have difficulty getting enough iron in their diet. A recent study suggested that more than 90% of middle to upper income pregnant women do not consume the recommended amounts of iron in their regular diets (before supplements). 8

The recommended allowance for Iron increases from 15mg to 30mg during pregnancy. Oh Mama! contains 10mg of iron per nutritional bar.

Iodine is critical for adequate thyroid production for both the mother and the fetus. Without enough maternal iodine intake to promote adequate thyroid production, the fetus is at risk to develop mental retardation, and deaf mutism. Nearly 2% of women in the U.S. are diagnosed with hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Almost six percent of all miscarriages can be attributed to thyroid deficiency during pregnancy. 9 Iodine intake is especially important in the first trimester when the developing baby depends completely on its mother for thyroid production.

The National Academy of Sciences recommends that pregnant women get 175 micrograms of iodine daily and that lactating women get 200 micrograms. The mean iodine intake in the United States is 162 micrograms per day. 10 Pregnant women, in particular, may have difficulty getting enough iodine in their diet as iodized table salt, possibly the most common source of iodine in the country, is often restricted during pregnancy to prevent the risk of high blood pressure in the mother. Furthermore, many prenatal vitamins do not contain iodine. Each Oh Mama! bar contains 88 micrograms of iodine.

Thiamin is a water-soluble B vitamin (B1). Thiamin is important in the breakdown of carbohydrates (sugars). Because the brain and nervous system are solely dependent on glucose for energy they are sensitive to a lack of thiamin.

The RDA for thiamin for pregnant women is 1.5mg. Most pregnant women meet their needs for thiamin without much problem. Oh Mama! contains 1.5 mg of thiamin per bar. Thiamin is a water soluble vitamin and as such there is little danger of getting too much of this vitamin.

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. B12 is needed for both DNA replication and for normal nerve cell activity. Vitamin B12 works in conjunction with folate and is also thought to prevent neural tube defects. Most women get enough B12 in their normal diets and deficiencies are rare, however, strict vegans may become deficient.

The vitamin B12 requirement for pregnant women is 2.6 micrograms and 2.8 micrograms for lactating women. Oh Mama! contains 2.2 micrograms of B12 per bar. Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin and as such there is little danger of getting too much of this vitamin.

Vitamin B6, a water-soluble vitamin, also known as pyridoxine, helps convert amino acids and form new red blood cells, and is important in fetal brain and nervous system development. Vitamin B6 is also thought to ease morning sickness (though this hasn’t been scientifically proven).

The RDA for B6 increases from 1.5mg to 2.2mg during pregnancy and lactation. Oh Mama! contains 2.2mg of vitamin B6 per nutritional bar.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for mother and baby as it is the cementing agent that binds new cells together and because it helps in the growth of teeth and bones. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron. Women who are deficient in vitamin C have an increased risk preterm delivery. 11 The National Academy of Sciences recommends that pregnant women consume 95 mg of vitamin C daily. Oh Mama! contains 70mg of vitamin C per nutritional bar.

Magnesium helps build and repair body tissue. Magnesium works in conjunction with calcium. While magnesium relaxes muscles, calcium stimulates muscles to contract. Research suggests that healthy levels of magnesium during pregnancy can help keep the uterus from contracting until week 35. Proper levels of magnesium are also believed to reduce leg cramps during pregnancy and reduce constipation. Magnesium deficiencies are associated with pre-eclampsia, hypertension, and premature delivery.

Pregnant women are advised to consume between 350 and 400 mg of magnesium daily. Many women do not get enough magnesium in their diets and magnesium is often not included in prenatal supplements. 12 Oh Mama! contains 280mg of magnesium per nutritional bar.

Phosphorus works with calcium to help build strong bones and teeth in mother and baby. Phosphorus is also important in filtering out waste in the kidneys, energy production, muscle contractions, blood clotting and balancing the metabolism of other vitamins and minerals. Women normally get enough phosphorus from their regular diets. The recommended intake of phosphorus while pregnant is 700 mg. Oh Mama! contains 400 mg of phosphorus per nutritional bar.

Calcium’s importance during pregnancy extends beyond developing and maintaining healthy bones in mother and fetus. Calcium helps conduct nerve impulses and it aids in the proper function of muscles including the heart. Calcium can reduce the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. 13 Consuming enough calcium has also been shown to reduce the amount of lead in the bloodstream. Pregnant women who do not consume enough calcium risk having their bone structure deteriorate, potentially releasing lead into the bloodstream as a result. 14

Many women do not get enough calcium in their diets. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that pregnant women get 1000 mg of calcium per day. Prenatal vitamins typically include only 200 mg of calcium. Oh Mama! contains 500mg of calcium per nutritional bar.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin E helps provide a defense for both vitamin A and essential fatty acids against tissue damage by oxidation. Studies have linked deficiencies in this vitamin to preeclampsia. 15 Also, research suggests that vitamin E produces a significant protective effect against birth defects associated with diabetes. 16

The recommended intake of vitamin E during pregnancy is 10 mg. Oh Mama! contains 5 IU of vitamin E per nutritional bar.

Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin that aids in the release of energy from cells. Niacin controls cholesterol levels and may be helpful in fighting depression. Deficiencies result in a skin condition called pellagra. Pregnant women require 17 micrograms of Niacin per day. Breastfeeding women require 20 micrograms daily. Oh Mama! provides 17 micrograms of Niacin per nutritional bar. Niacin is a water soluble vitamin and as such it is difficult to reach toxic levels from getting too much of this vitamin.

Riboflavin is also known as vitamin B2. Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin involved in the release of energy from cells. Pregnant women are advised to consume 1.6 mg riboflavin per day. During lactation the RDA increases to 1.8 mg per day. Oh Mama! contains 1.6 mg riboflavin per nutritional bar.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin required to control blood clotting. Vitamin K may also decrease osteoporosis and slow bone loss. A deficiency of vitamin K in newborns is associated with hemorrhagic disease. Transfer of vitamin K from mother to the developing baby during pregnancy is limited. The RDA of vitamin K for pregnant women is 65 mg. Oh Mama! contains 33 micrograms of Vitamin K per nutritional bar.

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Other Excellent Sources for Pregnancy Nutrition Information

Prenatal Nutrition Introduction, Medceu website http://www.medceu.com/course-no-test.cfm?CID=943
Are Prenatal Vitamins Enough? March of Dimes Updates, Contemporary OB/GYN, May 2004 http://www.contobgyn.com/be_core/content/journals/g/data/2004/0501/mod4.html
National Academies Press, Nutrition During Pregnancy (1990) http://books.nap.edu/books/0309041384/html/258.html#pagetop
BabyCenter Pregnancy Nutrition Information http://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/pregnancynutrition/index

Footnotes

1. Helland, I.B., et al. Maternal Supplementation with Very-Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acids During Pregnancy and Lactation Augments Children’s IQ at 4 Years of Age. Pediatrics 2003; 111 (1): e39-e44.

2. Willats P, et al. Effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in infant formula on problem solving at 10 months of age. Lancet 1998; 352: 688-91.

3. Horwood, L.J. and D.M. Fergusson. Breatfeeding and later cognitive and academic outcomes. Pediatrics. 1998; 101(1): E9

4. Lucas A, Stafford M, Morley R, et al. Efficacy and safety of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation of infant-formula milk: a randomized trial. Lancet. 1999; 354: 1948-1954

5. Smuts, C.M. et al. A randomized trial of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2003; 101 (3): 469-479.

6. Hibbeln, JR. Seafood consumption, the DHA content of mothers’ milk and prevalence rates of postpartum depression: a cross-national, ecological analysis. J Affect Disord. 2002; 69 (1-3): 15-29

7. Simopoulos, A.P., et al. Workshop on the essentiality of and recommended dietary intakes for omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1999; 18 (5): 487-489.

8. Turner, E. et al. Comparing nutrient intake from food to the estimated average requirements shows middle to upper income pregnant women lack iron and possibly magnesium. JADA; April 2003: 103 pg 461-466.

9. Ibid

10. Perry, L. Iodine can help pregnant women fight thyroid disease. Drug Topics; Feb 2004; 148: 24.

11. Siega-Riz, A.M. et al. Vitamin C Deficiency on Pregnancy. Amer Journal of Obstetrics & Gyn.. Aug 2003: 189(2) 519-525.

12. Franz, K.B.. Magnesium Intake during Pregnancy. Magnesium 6; 1987: 18-27

13. Bucher, H.C. et al. Effect of calcium supplementation on pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA; April 1996: 275: 1113-1117.

14. Hertz-Picciotto I. Et al. Patterns and Determinants of Blood Lead During Pregnancy. Journal of Epidemiology; November 2000: 152 (9); 829-837.

15. Akyol, D. Maternal levels of vitamin E in normal and preeclamptic pregnancy. Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics; April 2000: 263 (4): 151-155.

16. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1996: 175: 793-799.