Pregnacare Plus dual pack 28 tab+28 caps , provides the original fully comprehensive multivitamin tablet, which delivers the essential nutrients for pregnancy including the recommended level of 400µg folic acid and 10 µg vitamin D , plus an additional Omega-3 capsule to provide a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which contributes to normal brain and eye development of the foetus.
Pregnacare Plus Provides:
- Pregnacare multi-nutrient tablets with 400µg Folic Acid . Pregnacare Tablets contain a careful formulation of 19 nutrients important for both mother and baby. These include vitamin B12, plus vitamin D and folic acid at the exact level recommended for the development of the unborn baby. Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status†. Low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus.
- Vitamin D in Pregnancy. contains 10µg vitamin D required during pregnancy and breast-feeding, which is the exact amount found in Pregnacare.
- Vitamin E in Pregnancy. Pregnacare contains a low recommended dietary intake of 4mg. This is present in the natural form which is better absorbed by the mother than synthetic vitamin E. Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Omega-3 capsules with 300mg DHA. The capsules contain high purity fish oil, which are a rich source of the important Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. DHA is especially important during pregnancy as it contributes to normal brain and eye development of the foetus. One Pregnacare Omega-3 capsule per day provides 300 mg DHA, plus 60mg EPA. The Pregnacare Plus Omega 3 capsule contains the purest pharmaceutical grade fish oil. The capsules do not contain fish oil sourced from tuna, shark, marlin or swordfish.
The Importance of Omega-3 fatty acids
Adults can obtain DHA and EPA indirectly through the conversion of the essential fatty acid alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), present in vegetable oils such as linseed but this process is very inefficient. Fish oils provide a much more reliable, direct source of DHA and EPA. The foetus and infant in early life need to receive these fatty acids directly as they only have a limited capability to convert essential fatty acids to more active long chain fatty acids such as DHA.
- Brain and eye development . DHA is the predominant fatty acid in the central nervous system, found in the structural walls of brain cells. Amazingly, the foetal brain is made up of 60% fats of which 40% is DHA. There is a large increase in DHA uptake by the foetus and a corresponding increase in cerebral DHA content during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first post natal months.1,2 At birth the baby’s brain weight is about 70% of an adult’s brain weight; 15% of brain growth occurs during infancy and the pre-school years.
- DHA is found in even greater concentrations in the retina, where it contributes up to 60% of the fatty acid content.
- Maintaining Maternal Health. During pregnancy, the growing foetus and placenta can increase certain maternal nutritional requirements.
- Natural lemon oil is included in the shell of Pregnacare Plus capsules as an odour-mask for women who find it difficult to take fish oil supplements.