Zinc in pregnancy dose

Why you need zinc during pregnancy

Your baby needs zinc for cell growth and for the production and functioning of DNA – the body's genetic blueprint.

Zinc during pregnancy for cold

Zinc is also involved in energy production and is essential for brain development.

Getting enough zinc is especially important during pregnancy because there's so much rapid cell growth. This essential mineral also helps support your immune system, maintain your sense of taste and smell, and heal wounds.

Some studies link zinc deficiency to low birth weight and other problems during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Zinc deficiencies in the United States are rare, but can cause an impaired sense of smell or taste, a loss of appetite, failure to grow (in children), and a lower resistance to infections.

How much zinc do pregnant women need?

When you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you need a bit more zinc than usual.

Here's how much:

Pregnant women ages 18 and younger: 12 milligrams (mg) per day

Pregnant women ages 19 and older: 11 mg per day

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