Nutrition in pregnancy: keeping in mind the priorities

Since brain development is explosive during the second half of human fetal life, the concept of 'brain selective nutrients' is a necessary point of departure to identify the basic nutritional needs of pregnant women. Two important brain selective nutrients are considered: iodine, essential in thyroid hormone production, and DHA, a very long chain polyunsaturated acid of the omega 3 family. Both of them are abundant in the seafood chain only. The particular case of pregnant women who do not have access to the seafood chain is considered. The focus is on the need to avoid blocking agents of the metabolic pathways of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly pure sugar, alcoholic beverages and trans fatty acids.