The mineral requirements and mineral status in pregnancy

: Recommendations for mineral intakes during pregnancy differs around the world, effecting the inadequacy of knowledge about mineral requirements in human reproductions. The most important minerals for the pregnant women and their outcome are iron, calcium and zinc. It is very difficult the precise determination of amount of minerals needed because the appropriate techniques used can not be used for pregnant woman. Because of hormonal changes during pregnancy the blood levels of minerals are not the best index for assessment of mineral status. The prepregnancy nutrition is one of the most important determinant of nutritional status and pregnancy outcome. There are lacking of cut-off values in serum for the most minerals, deficiency to be screened. Therefore, the assessment of nutritional status during pregnancy serves seriously problem. More research is required before we can confident about advising women to use mineral supplements during pregnancy.