Role of microelements and vitamin D in the preconception period

Uvod: Predkoncepcijsko obdobje je obdobje pred zanositvijo, odločitve žensk in moških pa v tem času pozitivno ali negativno vplivajo na izide nosečnosti in zdravje potomcev. Zaradi vse slabšega statusa prehranjenosti in pomanjkanja mikrohranil ter vitaminov pri ljudeh se je začelo zbujati vse večje zanimanje o vplivu mikroelementov in vitaminov na obdobje pred nosečnostjo, na koncepcijo in na nosečnost ter plod. Zato je pomembno ozaveščanje o posledicah njihovega pomanjkanja ali presežka. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je preučiti in predstaviti določene mikroelemente (cink, jod in magnezij) ter vitamin D in njihovo vlogo v telesu v predkoncepcijskem obdobju pri moških in ženskah. Prav tako je namen predstaviti njihov vpliv na nosečnost in plod. Metode dela: Uporabljena je bila deskriptivna oziroma opisna metoda dela. Podatki so bili zbrani s pregledom in kritičnim izborom strokovne literature. Pregledali smo tuje in slovenske podatkovne baze. Uporabljena je bila literatura v angleškem in slovenskem jeziku, v časovnem okvirju od leta 2005 do 2022. Rezultati: Analiza vključenih študij je pokazala da cink, jod, magnezij in vitamin D pozitivno vplivajo na prednosečnostno obdobje, saj njihove ustrezne vrednosti pripomorejo k lažji spontani zanositvi, prav tako pa njihovo dodajanje preprečuje zaplete in negativne izide povezane s predkoncepcijskim obdobjem in nosečnostjo. Prav tako smo s pomočjo analize ugotovili, da je pomanjkanje mikroelementov in vitaminov, kljub dobri promociji, v porastu. Razprava in zaključek: Zaradi pomanjkanja hranil, vitaminov in mikroelementov v prehrani se pri parih vse pogosteje pojavljajo težave z zanositvijo. Zdravstveni delavci moramo zato ob svojem delu več časa nameniti obdobju načrtovanja nosečnosti, preventivi določenih zapletov ter izobraževanju žensk in moških o vplivu določenih mikroelementov in vitaminov na njihovo zdravje, prav tako pa moramo v obravnavo vključiti tudi prehranske svetovalce. Parom moramo nuditi z dokazi podprte informacije, ki bi jih vzpodbudile, da skupaj sprejemajo boljše odločitve, ki pozitivno vplivajo na možnost zanositve.Introduction: The preconception period is the period before pregnancy, and decisions of women and men during this time can positively or negatively impact pregnancy outcomes and the health of their offspring. Due to the deteriorating nutritional status and lack of micronutrients and vitamins in men and women, there has been an increase in interest on the influence of microelements and vitamins on the preconception period, on conception and on pregnancy and the fetus. Therefore, raising awareness about the consequences of their lack or excess is extremely important. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to study and present certain microelements (zinc, iodine and magnesium) and vitamin D and their role in the body in the preconception period in men and women. It is also intended to present their influence on pregnancy and the fetus. Methods: A descriptive method of work was used in the diploma. The data was collected through a review and critical selection of professional literature. We reviewed foreign and Slovenian databases. The literature was searched in the Slovenian and English languages, within a time frame from 2005 to 2022. Results: The analysis of the included studies showed that zinc, iodine, magnesium and vitamin D have a positive effect on the pre–pregnancy period, as their appropriate values contribute to easier spontaneous conception, and their addition prevents complications and negative outcomes associated with the pre–conception period and pregnancy. With the help of the analysis, we also found that the lack of microelements and vitamins, despite good promotion, is on the rise. Discussion and conclusion: Due to the global lack of nutrients, vitamins and microelements in nutrition, problems with conceiving occur more and more often in couples. In addition to their work, healthcare workers must therefore devote more time to planning pregnancy, preventing certain complications, and educating women and men about the impact of certain microelements and vitamins on their health. It is important, that we also include diet. We need to provide couples with evidence – based information that would encourage them to make better decisions together that positively affect their chances of getting pregnant