Micronutrient Additional Requirements (Vital Substances) in the Pregnancy: Other Vital Substances (Micronutrients)

Vitaminoids are essential food components with vitamin-like effects, but without coenzyme function. The body can produce these substances itself, but the amount of self-synthesis is not sufficient to meet the demand, especially during pregnancy. Therefore, the supply via food or in the form of supplementation is of crucial importance. If a deficiency of these vitaminoids occurs, the mother’s plasma concentration is greatly reduced in favor of the fetus.

L-Carnitine

Function of L-carnitine

• Essential for fatty acid transport and for energy production from the breakdown of fatty acids – mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation.
• Involved in the action of thyroid hormone thyroxine, which increases metabolic processes and internal combustion processes by increasing oxygen uptake into cells
• Good carnitine suppliers are meat and milk, in plant foods hardly present – vegetarians are at risk of deficiency

L-carnitine is synthesized in the cells of the liver and kidneys from the amino acids lysine and methionine. For the self-synthesis are also needed vitamin B3, B6, C and iron. These vital substances (micronutrients) must therefore be present in sufficient quantities to ensure the formation of L-carnitine. Since the heart, muscles, liver and kidneys mainly meet their energy needs from fats, they are particularly dependent on carnitine. In carnitine deficiency, the functions of the heart, muscles, liver and kidneys can be impaired, resulting in energy supply problems.

Coenzyme Q10

Function of coenzyme Q10

• Energy supplier – due to its ring-shaped quinone structure, coenzyme Q10 can accept and release electrons, thus playing a key role in the biochemical process of energy formation with oxygen consumption – respiratory chain phosphorylation – in mitochondria – the vitaminoid cannot be replaced in this important process
• Involved in the synthesis of ATP, the main energy carrier of the cell.
• Membrane stabilization
• Important fat-soluble antioxidant, as it is present in the mitochondria – where free radicals are formed as unstable reaction products from cellular respiration -, thus protecting fats from oxidation as well as free radical damage – antioxidant protection during pregnancy can be significantly improved by increased intake of the antioxidants beta-carotene, selenium, vitamins E, C, gamma-linolenic acid, as well as fatty acids, in addition to the administration of coenzyme Q10
• Supports the action of vitamin E as a free radical scavenger in adipose tissue by accelerating its regeneration
• Found mainly in meat, fish – sardines, mackerel -, broccoli, green beans, cabbage, spinach, garlic and in some oils – olive, soybean, corn and wheat germ oil -; whole grain products contain high amounts of coenzyme Q9, which can be converted in the liver into the form used by humans

Coenzymes Q are chemical compounds of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon atoms that form a so-called ring-shaped quinone structure. They are present in all cells – human, animal, plant, bacteria – and are therefore called ubiquinones. For humans, only coenzyme Q10 is relevant, with coenzymes Q1 to Q10 occurring in nature. In order to be synthesized in the body, the amino acids phenylananine, tyrosine and methionine are required, as well as vitamins B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12. In order to be adequately supplied with coenzyme Q10 within pregnancy, the mother must pay attention to the intake of Q10 through food as well as amino acids and vitamins needed for Q10 self-synthesis. The highest concentrations of coenzyme Q10 are found in the mitochondria of the heart and liver, as these organs have the highest energy requirements. The kidneys and pancreas also have high coenzyme Q10 concentrations. Based on current knowledge, it is not clear how great the daily requirement for coenzyme Q10 really is during pregnancy. It is also unclear how high coenzyme Q10’s own production is and its contribution to an adequate supply. However, there are indications that the requirement is increased during oxidative stress.The increased occurrence of free radicals – due to high oxidative stress in inflammatory processes, increased physical or mental stress, radiation exposure, contact with cigarette smoke, some pharmaceuticals, harmful chemicals and environmental toxins – puts a strain on the Q10 pool in the mitochondria of organs with the highest energy demand – heart, liver and kidneys. Accordingly, in pregnant women suffering from high oxidative stress, the consumption of coenzyme Q10 may be more or less increased. In old age, coenzyme Q10 concentrations set in that are up to 50% lower than those in middle age. One reason for the low coenzyme Q10 concentration could be an increased consumption in old age or the decrease of the mitochondrial mass in the muscles – a scientific proof for this is still pending. If pregnant women are at an older age, their already low Q10 pool may be further burdened by oxidative stress. Accordingly, in older pregnant women, dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 may be more important for the levels of this vitaminoid in organs such as the heart, liver, lung, spleen, adrenal gland, kidney, and pancreas. Trends in coenzyme Q10 levels by age.

The absorption of Q10 can be increased by a simultaneous intake of secondary plant compounds – flavonoids. Table – L-carnitine and Q10 requirements.