| 摘要 |
Compositions and methods for improving the nutritional and physiological status of a woman and her child during all stages of pregnancy are provided herein. This includes pre-conceptional women, pregnant women, and post-natal women (both lactating and non-lactating mothers). The compositions are particularly useful for the neurological, visual, and cognitive development of an embryo, fetus, or infant and the nutritional and physiological well-being of the mother, fetus, and infant. The compositions contain one or more folates, such as a reduced folate and/or folic acid, and one or more essential fatty acids (EFA), such as an omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acid. The addition of the essential fatty acid improves upon the folate containing nutritional preparations described in the prior art. The one or more folates and essential fatty acid may be administered together or in separate dosage units. The one or more folates may be selected from folic acid/folate, one or more reduced folates, or a combination of folic acid/folate and one or more reduced folates. The reduced folate is preferably 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, and most preferably 5-methyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid. The essential fatty acid is preferably an omega-3 fatty acid, and is preferably docosahexenoic acid (DHA) derived from a vegetarian or non-fish source. The compositions may optionally contain other vitamins, minerals, and ingredients, such as, emollient laxatives-all defined herein as "optional or other ingredients".
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