Mother's Day: Fostering Wellness with Vitamins and Supplements

Amy Parkinson
2024-03-10T09:00:03+00:00

Mother's Day is a time to celebrate the amazing figures who've been there for us through thick and thin. We honour their love and sacrifices, but it's also a chance to think about their health. In this blog post, we'll chat about how vitamins and supplements can help mothers stay healthy and strong, so they can keep being the superheroes they are.

Nurturing from Within:

Mums are usually the ones holding everything together, looking after everyone else. But with so much on their plate, it's no wonder they sometimes forget about themselves. This Mother’s Day let's remind them how important it is to take care of their health and wellbeing. Vitamins and supplements can be a big help in keeping them feeling their best.

Essential Vitamins for Mothers:

Whether it's dealing with pregnancy, bouncing back after having a baby, or just keeping up with the demands of everyday life, mums have specific nutritional needs to keep them going strong. Stuff like folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D are important for keeping healthy every step of the way.

Folic Acid: Folic acid is important during pregnancy because it helps prevent neural tube defects[1] and supports the healthy growth of the baby.

Iron: Lots of mums-to-be end up low on iron, which can leave them feeling tired and run-down. Taking iron supplements can help boost their energy levels[2] and prevent problems for both mum and baby.

Calcium: Making sure we get enough calcium is essential for keeping your bones and teeth strong, especially when you're pregnant or breastfeeding[3]. Our bodies need more calcium during these times, so it's important to make sure we’re getting enough.

Vitamin D: Known as the "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Supplementing with vitamin D is particularly important for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers[4] who may have limited sun exposure.

Supporting Wellness with Supplements:

Besides the must-have vitamins, there are some extra supplements that can really give our mums a boost in feeling good. Things like omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and prenatal multivitamins are often suggested to help mums stay on top of their health and tackle any specific issues they might have.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Let's talk about omega-3s, those awesome fatty acids we can find in fish oil supplements. They're like superheroes for your heart, brain[5], and even for the little one growing inside you during pregnancy. Plus, they're great for older mothers, helping to keep everything running smoothly.

Probiotics: Probiotics are like little helpers for our tummies, they keep our gut happy and healthy, which is good news for both mums and their little ones. They help with digestion and boost our immune system[6].

Prenatal Multivitamins: Prenatal multivitamins are like the ultimate superfood for expecting mothers. They're specially made to give you all the good stuff you need during pregnancy, making sure you're getting everything you and your baby need to stay healthy and happy.

Celebrating Mother's Day with Wellness:

This Mother’s Day let's make sure the amazing people in our lives know how much we appreciate them by reminding them to take care of themselves. Whether it's a small gesture, a kind act, or even a gift of vitamins and supplements, let's celebrate moms and help them feel their best.

As we honour moms everywhere for all they do, let's also remember how important it is for them to practice self-care. After all, taking care of themselves means they can keep being the superheroes we know and love. Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible mums out there.

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[1] Imbard A, Benoist JF, Blom HJ. Neural tube defects, folic acid and methylation. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013 Sep 17;10(9):4352-89. doi: 10.3390/ijerph10094352. PMID: 24048206; PMCID: PMC3799525.

[2] Kapoor MP, Sugita M, Kawaguchi M, Timm D, Kawamura A, Abe A, Okubo T. Influence of iron supplementation on fatigue, mood states and sweating profiles of healthy non-anemic athletes during a training exercise: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2023 Feb 3;32:101084. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101084. PMID: 36817736; PMCID: PMC9932653.

[3] Prentice A. Calcium requirements of breast-feeding mothers. Nutr Rev. 1998 Apr;56(4 Pt 1):124-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1998.tb01724.x. PMID: 9584497.

[4] Mithal A, Kalra S. Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Sep;18(5):593-6. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.139204. PMID: 25285272; PMCID: PMC4171878.

[5] American Heart Association. Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids (https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/fish-and-omega-3-fatty-acids). Accessed 11/17/2022.

[6] Amara AA, Shibl A. Role of Probiotics in health improvement, infection control and disease treatment and management. Saudi Pharm J. 2015 Apr;23(2):107-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2013.07.001. Epub 2013 Jul 18. PMID: 25972729; PMCID: PMC4421088.