[Studies on nutritional effects of traditional Chinese tonics with strengthened nutrients on pregnant women and rats]

Abstract

Clinical and Experimental studies on a mixture made of traditional Chinese tonics (such as Fructus Lycii, Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Arillus Longannae, etc.) and strengthened nutrients (such as iron, zinc and Calcium, etc.) were conducted in order to explore its nutritional and health promoting effects. (1) One hundred and three primiparous women were divided randomly into observed group and control group, results showed that the serum levels of iron, zinc, hemoglobin of observed group were all raised after treatment, these parameters and the concentration of iron in umbilical cord blood as well as body weight of new-born baby of the observed group were higher than that of control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) Results of experimental rats showed that the utilization rate, hemoglobin level, fetal growth and developing parameters of test group were all higher than that of control group significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These results suggested that the nutrient mixture has a good nutritional and health promoting effect on pregnancy.