Which Vitamin Is Good For Pregnancy

Do I Need To Take Supplements

It’s recommended that all pregnant women in Australia take folic acid, iodine and vitamin D supplements.

Having a healthy diet is important and should provide you with the other nutrients you need. Check the Australian Dietary Guidelines for more advice. However, some pregnant women may need supplements of other nutrients besides folic acid, iodine and vitamin D.

If you have a known deficiency, your doctor might advise you to take a supplement. For example:

• if you are vegetarian or vegan and not getting enough vitamin B12
• if you don’t get enough calcium, which is vital for bone health, from dairy or other calcium-rich foods
• if you are low in iron
• if you may be low in omega-3 fatty acids, e.g. if you eat very little seafood

If you’re not sure whether you need a supplement, talk to your doctor.

Nhc Im Khi S Dng Elevit C

• Thành phn ca ElevitÚc không có cha Omega 3 nên các m cn b sung thêm bên ngoài
• Trong quá trình mang thai m bu cn b sung ti thiu 600 IU vitamin D . Tuy nhiên Elevit ch cung cp 200IU, do ó các m cn b sung thêm vitamin D và Canxi trong quá trình mang thai, kt hp vi phng pháp phi nng sm mi ngày hp th vitamin D t nhiên vi c th và thai nhi.

Prenatal Vitamin D And Neurodevelopment

Current evidence from observational studies indicates that vitamin D might affect brain development. The discovery of the vitamin D receptor in multiple brain regions of the neonatal and adult central nervous system of several species provided the first real clue that vitamin D signalling may have a role in brain development and function . Moreover, the presence of 1-hydroxylase in the human brain indicates that the central nervous system can synthesise the active form of vitamin D, 1,252D from its inactive precursor 25D, which suggests that vitamin D may also have paracrine properties in the human brain . Further research has also shown that vitamin D plays a role in diverse brain developmental mechanisms and functioning, including neuronal differentiation, axonal connectivity, dopamine ontogeny, immunological modulation, and transcriptional control over a large number of genes .

In the last decade, epidemiological literature on the potential impacts of prenatal vitamin D status on brain development, cognition and behaviour in the offspring has rapidly increased , but at the moment, no intervention studies have evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on neurodevelopment.

Table 1.

Characteristics of epidemiological studies on prenatal vitamin D and neurodevelopment

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Here Are Some Ways To Squeeze More Of This Vitamin Into Your Day:

• Add ground liver to your ground meat used for hamburgers, tacos, or spaghetti sauce.
• Opt for mashed sweet potatoes in place of mashed white potatoes as a side dish for dinner.
• Grab a bowl of pumpkin soup for lunch.
• Add butternut squash to your favorite pasta sauce recipe.
• Sprinkle shredded carrots on a salad, on scrambled eggs, or on a sandwich.
• Choose spinach instead of iceberg lettuce in salads or on sandwiches.
• Use a collard green leaf in place of a tortilla or wrap when making wraps for lunch.
• Rip up kale leaves and add them to an omelet.
• Make your own tasty, healthy, and easy trail mix by combining dried apricots, coconut flakes, and dark chocolate.
• Blend mustard greens into your favorite smoothie recipe.

Add these and other vitamin A-rich foods to your daily diet to meet your daily needs for a strong immune system, healthy skin, and a healthy pregnancy.

Adapted from the original article.

HEADER IMAGE: FREDDIE MARRIAGE

Kendra Tolbert, MS, RDN, CDN, CLC is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified lactation counselor, and certified aromatherapist based in Alexandria, VA. Through her private practice, she helps women and couples prepare for pregnancy and enjoy healthier, happier pregnancies. Learn more about Kendra at Live Fertile.

What About Other Nutrients

There are other nutrients that may improve the health of your pregnancy. Your doctor can help you decide if you need to take supplements that include:Omega-3 fatty acids: These fats, which include DHA and EPA , come only from food sources such as fatty fish and nuts. Studies show omega-3s can lower your risk of preterm birth and of having a baby with low birth weight. If you dont eat much food thats rich in omega-3s, ask your health care provider if a supplement is right for you.

Choline: Although your body can make some choline on its own, you get most of it from food. Rich sources include beef, pork, chicken, fish, and eggs. Many pregnant women dont get enough choline, which the baby needs for healthy brain growth.

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Can A Pregnant Woman Take Vitamin C Supplements

When taken in the recommended daily amounts of 85 mg, vitamin C is more likely safe for both pregnant and nursing women. Taking too much of this vitamin while pregnant might lead to issues for the baby and might increase the risk of premature birth. Taking vitamin C in excess might upset the stomach as well.

Your best choice is to eat a large selection of fruits and vegetables each day, which should include one reach food in this vitamin. And if you are taking your prenatal vitamins, you are perhaps getting enough vitamin C already, so you don`t really need to take additional supplements.

Not Getting Enough Folate

Because the body has a high demand for folate, women may not get enough of this nutrient during their childbearing years . Women who are at higher risk include those who:

• are not taking the recommended folic acid supplement,
• are on restricted diets ,
• have a lower socio-economic status, and
• are experiencing food insecurityFootnote 5.

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How Folate Helps Prevent Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects Footnote 6 include spina bifida and anencephaly. They occur when the neural tube fails to close properly during the third and fourth week of pregnancy. Often a woman doesn’t yet know that she is pregnant during this critical time. A decreased risk of NTD is associated with both increased folate intake and higher red blood cell folate concentrations though the experimental evidence is stronger for increased folate intake and NTD risk reduction .

The risk is reduced when women start taking a daily multivitamin containing folic acid three months before the beginning of pregnancy and continuing in early pregnancy while the neural tube is closing Footnote 7 . The reduced risk has been observed in women who took a supplement containing 360 to 800 mcg of folic acid per day, in addition to an intake of 200 to 300 mcg per day of natural folate .

Many studies also show that multivitamins containing folic acid taken in the early weeks of pregnancy are associated with a decreased risk of oral cleft and cardiovascular anomalies . Some evidence also suggests an association with reduced risk of preeclampsia . This is an area of active and on-going research.

Other Supplements In Pregnancy

Other than folic acid, vitamin D and iodine and any supplement prescribed for you by your doctor, there is limited evidence to support the use of supplements during pregnancy.

Emerging research has shown that omega-3 supplements during pregnancy might help reduce the risk of premature birth, and that probiotics might help control blood glucose levels in pregnancy. But it’s not clear whether the benefits of taking these supplements outweigh any possible harms. Until there is better evidence available, it’s best to avoid them unless prescribed by your doctor â particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Because nutritional supplements are classed as ‘complementary medicines’, they are not scrutinised or regulated as much as other medicines.

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B Vitamin Complex Supplements During Pregnancy

Typically, prenatal vitamins contain the perfect blend of B vitamin complex to fulfill all the recommended dosages weve outlined here. Theres no need to routinely supplement any B vitamins other than taking your prenatal vitamin simply enjoy a well-balanced diet alongside it and look forward to the arrival of your little one!If you have any questions be sure to ask your OBGYN. You and your developing babys health depend on you asking questions, staying healthy and stress-free. Enjoy being pregnant, and eat healthy for two .

Want to Know More?

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. MRC Vitamin Study Research Group. Prevention of neural tube defects: results of the Medical Research Council Vitamin Study. Lancet. 1991 338:131137.

2. Biotin. .

3. Pitkin RM. Folate and neural tube defects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 85:285S288S.

4. Harvards Nutrition Source on Vitamin B.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b/

6. Scott, J. M. . Addition of vitamin B12 to folic acid supplements to optimize the prevention of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.

7. Shrim, A., Boskovik, R., Maltepe, C., et al. Pregnancy outcome following use of large doses of vitamin B6 in the first trimester. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 26, 749-51.

It`s Necessary To Take Vitamin A Supplements

In general, there aren`t any reasons to do this, because most people get enough vitamin A from their usual diet. Most prenatal vitamins contain vitamin A anyway. Check the labels of the foods you consume to ensure they don`t contain a higher amount then the one recommended.

Also, it`s safer if your vitamin supplements contain vitamin A at least partially, under the form of beta-carotene than preformed vitamin A, about which it`s known to cause congenital defects when it`s taken in too high doses right before conceiving or during pregnancy.

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So How Much Vitamin A Can You Have During Pregnancy

The Recommended Dietary Allowance during pregnancy is 770 mcg per day, which you can get from both supplements or food sources.

Studies have shown that large doses of synthetic or preformed vitamin A in supplements can be dangerous and not only cause harm to you, but also your baby. As a teratogen, preformed vitamin A has been linked to birth defects and must be limited at any time, pregnant or not.

In supplements, vitamin A is usually reported in IU on its labels. If all the vitamin A is from beta carotene, up to 15,000 IU is allowed, though, not advised. You probably wont find it that high anyway. If your vitamin contains retinyl palmitate or retinyl acetate, there shouldnt be more than 2,500 IU from these two.

Taking Extra Folic Acid

Your midwife or GP may ask you to take a larger amount of folic acid if:

• youve had a baby with a neural tube defect before
• someone in your close family has a neural tube defect
• youre taking medicines for epilepsy
• you have diabetes
• youre overweight and your body mass index is 30 or more
• you have sickle-cell anaemia or thalassaemia

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The Importance Of Prenatal Nutrition

Meeting your daily nutrient needs during pregnancy is necessary to keep up with your rapidly changing maternal metabolism.

Of course, maternal nutrition is essential for healthy fetal growth and development. In fact, theres growing research that suggests the effects of prenatal nutrition can trickle into adulthood.

For that reason, its important to learn about necessary vitamins for pregnant women, as well as additional supplement and macronutrient needs.

Vitamin B: Folic Acid

Its fairly common knowledge that folic acid is one of the most important B vitamins to take during pregnancy and for a very good reason. The proper amount of folic acid reduces the risk of your baby developing neural tube birth defects like spina bifida. Its also responsible for helping to produce red blood cells which are obviously important for both you and your growing baby.You should be consuming 400 800 mcg of vitamin B9 every day throughout your entire pregnancy, which translates to 0.4 0.8 mg . If youre trying to conceive its also recommended that you consume this same amount of folic acid to maximize your chances of getting pregnant.On top of this, try to increase your consumption of foods which naturally contain the vitamin.

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Alex Sandro Rolland Souza

1Maternal and Child Healthcare Postgraduate Program, Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira , Recife 50070-550, Pernambuco, Brazil

3Department of Maternal and Child Healthcare, Federal University of Pernambuco , Recife 50670-901, Pernambuco, Brazil

4Biological and Health Sciences Center, Catholic University of Pernambuco , Recife 50050-900, Pernambuco, Brazil

Vitamin Supplementation For All Women Who Could Become Pregnant

Considering that the level of intake of folic acid from fortified foods is estimated to be no more than 100 to 200 mcg per dayFootnote 9, and recognizing that many pregnancies are unplanned, all women who could become pregnant should take a multivitamin containing 400 mcg of folic acid daily. This is in addition to the dietary folate provided by a varied diet. Having women supplement their diets with folic acid between pregnancies can help reduce the risk of NTDs in subsequent births.

Some women, such as those who have had a previous NTD affected pregnancy and those with a near relative who has a NTD, are at higher risk of having a NTD-affected pregnancy. They may need more than 400 mcg of folic acid daily . These women should be assessed early and advised on the steps to take to prepare for a healthy pregnancy.

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When To Stop Taking Prenatal Vitamins During Pregnancy

Youll continue taking your prenatal vitamin every day during your pregnancy. Your doctor might also recommend you continue to take prenatal vitamins after delivery, especially if you decide to breastfeed. If you have pregnancy complications or other health concerns, your doctor might recommend a prescription prenatal supplement.

Why Prenatal Vitamins Are Important

During your pregnancy, your bodys nutritional requirements are different than at other times, and prenatal vitamins are designed for the specific needs of pregnant women. For example, prenatal vitamins have more iron, calcium, and folic acid than regular multivitamins. Folic acid, in particular, is an important part of any diet, but it is imperative for the pregnant woman. Folic acid is proven to be a crucial factor in preventing neural tube birth defects, which is why it is recommended that all women of child bearing age take a folic acid supplement, and also why pregnant women need to take more than the general population.

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Bnh Lun Khch Hng Vit Nam Trn Webtretho:

Bn Hungnhung Mình ang dùng loi này, thy chng mình i công tác và c bn bè gii thiu cho, mình thì cng thy n nht là có th b sung dng cht y cho bé, ngoài ra sau khi dùng sn phm sc khe ca mình cng c ci thin hn rt nhiu na, hình nh ít mt mi, au nhc c th hn na.

When Should You Take Prenatal Supplementation

Doctors encourage women who are trying to conceive to start taking prenatal vitamins before conceptionto ensure they have the proper vitamins in their body. The first few weeks of pregnancy are essential for fetal health and development. Taking prenatal vitamins, folic acid and other vital supplements can help to reduce the risk of congenital disabilities.

If you didnt start taking prenatal vitamins before conception, begin as soon as you find out that youre pregnant. Wait to take other supplements until you speak to your OB-GYN to ensure you need them and that theyre safe for you to take.

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Do You Need A B12 Supplement

Your doctor may ask you to supplement B12 with folic acid if you are vitamin B12 deficient before pregnancy. Both of these supplements together will help prevent birth defects in developing babies as well as helps combat defects that affect the spine and central nervous system. Prenatal vitamins should help with most deficiencies, ask your doctor if you have any questions.It is important to note that while the Institute of Medicine does not set an upper limit because of B12s low potential for toxicity, you should still speak with your doctor before adding in an additional B12 supplement if you are not deficient.

What Is Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. It also helps your bodys nerves, muscles and immune system work. Your immune system protects your body from infection. Vitamin D helps your babys bones and teeth grow.

During pregnancy, you need 600 IU of vitamin D each day. You can get this amount from food or your prenatal vitamin. Good sources of vitamin D include:

• Fatty fish, like salmon
• Milk and cereal that has vitamin D added to it

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Vitamins To Avoid During Pregnancy:

Vitamins although play a crucial role during pregnancy, might lead to birth complications when not taken in recommended doses. It is extremely important to consult your doctor to understand what vitamins you need and what you SHOULD NOT take:

1. Vitamin A:

Over dosage of Vitamin A can lead to toxicity of liver and cause death. It is extremely important to take only the permissible dosages of 770mcg per day.

2. Vitamin D:

The most toxic vitamins of all, Vitamin D over dosage can adversely affect the health of the mother and birth defects in the baby

Other Vitamins like B6 and E can lead to side effects when taken in extra dosages, but do not have any major threatening factors.

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