Studies on nutritional effects of traditional Chinese tonics with nutrients fortification on pregnant women and pregnant rats.

Objective: To explore the nutritional and health promoting effects of nutrient mixture (traditional Chinese tonics+nutrient fortification). Methods: ( 1) One hundred and three primigravid women were divided randomly into the test group and the control group treated with nutrient mixture and vitamins respectively and the effects of treatment were observed. ( 2) Effects of nutrient mixture were also observed in pregnant rats. Results: ( 1) Clinical study showed the serum levels of iron, zinc, hemoglobin of the test group were all raised after treatment, and these parameters and the concentration of iron in umbilical cord blood as well as the weight of the new-born baby of the test group were higher than those of the control group ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). ( 2) Results of the experimental study showed that the food utilization rate, hemoglobin level, fetal growth and developing parameters of the test group were all higher than those of the control group significantly ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion: The nutrient mixture has a good nutritional and health promoting effect on pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]