National Nutrition Month is recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration every March when individuals are encouraged to look into their personal nutrition choices and become more educated on forming healthier habits to obtain proper nutrition. Although alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the main cause of FASD, poor nutrition can further exacerbate the development of FASD. Various preclinical studies have displayed that proper dietary supplementation with specific nutrients—either prenatally or postnatally—can help mitigate certain alcohol-related neurodevelopmental damage and improve cognitive outcomes. 

Maternal Nutrition: 

Recent studies have shown that there can be prenatal nutrition interventions for FASD. Getting the proper nutrition while pregnant is essential to help the development of a fetus. When an individual’s maternal nutritional status is compromised with alcohol, essential nutrients can be displaced or deprived which can result in impairing the growth of the fetus. Overall, people with low nutritional status during pregnancy are more susceptible to having children with low birth weight, delayed cognitive and physical development, and behavioral disorders.

Since the 1990s, studies have been conducted to determine the importance of individual nutrients regarding their function, metabolism, and relevance to the development of FASD. Nutrients that have the most influence and relevance to brain development are vitamin A, choline, DHA, folic acid, and zinc. 

For example, let’s take a closer look at why zinc is important for consumption during pregnancy. Zinc plays a key role in human development because it is a mineral that creates DNA and RNA, which tells our cells to grow and divide. Cell division is what forms our organs, tissues, and helps with the overall function of our body’s needs daily to live. Chronic alcohol consumption is shown to reduce the availability of zinc for the fetus. People who are pregnant should have a sufficient intake of zinc. It has been studied that people who demonstrate inadequate levels of zinc during pregnancy reported lower body weight and delayed brain growth which can result in poor cognitive function and delayed motor response. 

Food sources such as lean meat, legumes, low-fat dairy, and whole grains all contain zinc and should be supplemented into a pregnant person’s diet. This can include chicken, almonds, sunflower seeds, lentils, chickpeas, and more. If a pregnant person is having difficulty obtaining zinc through food, they can incorporate zinc supplements into their daily routine (please consult a doctor before doing so). 

Individuals with FASD Nutrition: 

A study that examined the dietary intake in school-aged children displayed that children with prenatal alcohol exposure have poorer nutritional intake compared to similar-age developing children in the U.S. Despite having similar caloric intake and comparable body weights to children in a national sample, children with FASD consumed significantly lower levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, niacin, and choline in their diets. In addition, using the Dietary Reference Intakes, created by the National Academy of Medicine, children with PAE were also found to be getting insufficient amounts of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals.  

This study demonstrates that children with FASD often consume less nutrient-dense food which reflects poorer eating habits. Behavioral issues related to FASD can also affect eating choices. Children with prenatal alcohol exposure are often sensitive eaters, can have poor appetites, and may seem dissatisfied with food.

Moreover, adequate nutrition is critical for proper brain function and cognitive development. Nutritional inadequacy can amplify any risk of impaired cognition and behavior in children with FASD. Proper nutritional supplementation can be a beneficial intervention to alleviate cognitive difficulties for individuals with FASD.

By focusing on educating everyone about why nutrition is so important for individuals with FASD, we can help ensure that everyone’s diets provide essential nutrients to keep our bodies healthy and growing. In addition, FASD will look different for everyone. Certain individuals can have unique sensory preferences, textures, colors, and more when eating. Keeping this in mind, attempt to include nutritious foods (such as carrots) that can be blended, mashed, or cooked a certain way so someone can eat it with their preferences in mind! Food is flexible.

More Information:

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 are updated every five years by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA. Click the link if you would like to find out more about your nutrition needs, and overall information about nutrition.