## What is Choline Good For In Pregnancy?
Pregnant women are especially in need of the essential nutrient, Choline, which is involved in fetal brain, heart, and organ development during pregnancy. Choline can be found in a variety of foods, including beef liver, egg yolks, legumes, nuts, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli and cauliflower), and wheat germ. Choline is an important nutrient for pregnant women, as it helps maintain the fluid balance of cells, keeps in check fat levels in the liver, helps with nerve development and functions as a part of the brain’s messaging system.
### Benefits of Choline In Pregnancy
Choline can provide several benefits to women during pregnancy, including:
**1. Nerve development:** Choline assists in the development of communication between nerve cells, enhances fetal neural development, and plays a role in the healthy neurological development of the fetus.
**2. Brain development:** It is believed that adequate choline intake can improve the infant’s memory functions as well as neurotransmitter activity in the brain.
**3. Heart health:** Choline helps maintain a healthy heart and circulatory system. It supports the transmission of electrical signals throughout the body, which can prevent cardiac complications during labor and delivery.
**4. Preventing birth defects:** Choline has been linked to helping reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTD) in developing babies and aiding in the repair of existing defects that may occur during pregnancy.
**5. Supports fetal growth:** Choline supports the overall growth of the fetus and helps with the absorption of vital nutrients from food.
**6. Maintains cellular health:** Choline helps to support the development of new cells and maintains healthy cell membrane structures. It helps to increases nutrient absorption for optimal growth and development of the baby.
### Recommended Doses of Choline In Pregnancy
The recommended daily intake for expectant mothers is 450 mg, and pregnant women are advised to meet the RDA for choline of 550-425 mg/day.
A healthy diet should be able to provide the adequate amounts of choline, however food-born sources of choline can be limited. In such cases, your doctor may recommend a choline supplement in order to meet your daily requirements. Additionally, pregnant women are advised to exercise caution when taking dietary supplements, so it is important to check with your doctor prior to using a supplement to make sure it is safe for baby.
### Conclusion
Choline is an important nutrient for pregnant women, as it supports nerve development, heart health, brain development, fetal growth, and may even help to prevent birth defects. Women should try to get the recommended daily dose of choline from food sources or by taking a supplement, if necessary.
Welcome to my fertility blog. This is a space where I will be sharing my experiences as I navigate through the world of fertility treatments, as well as provide information and resources about fertility and pregnancy.
