Importance of Prenatal Vitamins & Other Supplements
Mostly women who are planning to conceive or getting pregnant are often ask- what's so special about prenatal vitamins & other supplements. As we know eating healthy diet is essential during pregnancy and is the best way to get minerals and vitamins you need but you might fall short on key nutrients even if you eat healthy diet. In this situation prenatal vitamins and other supplements can help and fill any gaps.
Prenatal vitamins and other supplements are advised to those women who are trying to conceive and are pregnant. These supplements provide essential nutrient the woman and the baby need to stay healthy. Taking prenatal vitamins or other supplements ensures that you are getting everything you and your baby need juts like an insurance policy. Additionally serving as a backup for your nutritional gaps professionally approved prenatal vitamins or supplements can also reduces the risk for some birth defects.
How Prenatal Vitamins are different from other vitamins?
Percentage of more folic acid, iron and calcium than standard adult multivitamins make these prenatal vitamins different from others. Folic acid that helps to prevent neural defects (serious abnormalities of the spinal cord and brain) is an important supplement because its adequate amount is hard to get through diet alone. You can buy folic acid vitamins or supplements and fulfill your daily requirement of folic acid.
Iron that supports the baby's development and growth and helps to prevent anemia is another important prenatal vitamin that you need to include. The amount of iron you need while pregnancy is just double when you are not. Separate iron supplements or prenatal vitamins can help you but make sure to ask with your obstetrician about any side effects that may occur.
More amount of calcium is however not important when you are pregnant or trying to get but you should receive adequate amount during this time. You can meet your calcium needs through dairy products and a few other foods. If you are still unable to meet your calcium needs, you can use separate calcium vitamin.
Do I need other nutrients too?
Apart from folic acid, iron and calcium, omega-3 fatty acid also promotes in baby's brain development. In case you don't eat fish or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acid, your obstetrician might recommends supplements for omega-3 fatty acid with prenatal vitamins. In addition Vitamin D is also important especially third trimester of pregnancy.
Providing several benefits, the prenatal vitamins and other supplements are easily available these days but as several manufacturers and brands are there out in the market. Sometimes it becomes difficult to choose best one for you. For this you can ask your health care provider to recommend a specific brand of prenatal vitamins.
On the other hand if you are choosing right one for you yourself, then look for a prenatal vitamin that contains- Folic Acid (400-800 micrograms), Calcium (250 milligrams), Iron (30 milligrams), Vitamin D (400 international units), Vitamin C (50 milligrams), Copper (2 milligrams), Vitamin B-6 (2 milligrams) and Zinc (15 milligrams).
Remember prenatal vitamins are not substitute of nutrients they are just the compliments of them.
Prenatal vitamins and other supplements are advised to those women who are trying to conceive and are pregnant. These supplements provide essential nutrient the woman and the baby need to stay healthy. Taking prenatal vitamins or other supplements ensures that you are getting everything you and your baby need juts like an insurance policy. Additionally serving as a backup for your nutritional gaps professionally approved prenatal vitamins or supplements can also reduces the risk for some birth defects.
How Prenatal Vitamins are different from other vitamins?
Percentage of more folic acid, iron and calcium than standard adult multivitamins make these prenatal vitamins different from others. Folic acid that helps to prevent neural defects (serious abnormalities of the spinal cord and brain) is an important supplement because its adequate amount is hard to get through diet alone. You can buy folic acid vitamins or supplements and fulfill your daily requirement of folic acid.
Iron that supports the baby's development and growth and helps to prevent anemia is another important prenatal vitamin that you need to include. The amount of iron you need while pregnancy is just double when you are not. Separate iron supplements or prenatal vitamins can help you but make sure to ask with your obstetrician about any side effects that may occur.
More amount of calcium is however not important when you are pregnant or trying to get but you should receive adequate amount during this time. You can meet your calcium needs through dairy products and a few other foods. If you are still unable to meet your calcium needs, you can use separate calcium vitamin.
Do I need other nutrients too?
Apart from folic acid, iron and calcium, omega-3 fatty acid also promotes in baby's brain development. In case you don't eat fish or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acid, your obstetrician might recommends supplements for omega-3 fatty acid with prenatal vitamins. In addition Vitamin D is also important especially third trimester of pregnancy.
Providing several benefits, the prenatal vitamins and other supplements are easily available these days but as several manufacturers and brands are there out in the market. Sometimes it becomes difficult to choose best one for you. For this you can ask your health care provider to recommend a specific brand of prenatal vitamins.
On the other hand if you are choosing right one for you yourself, then look for a prenatal vitamin that contains- Folic Acid (400-800 micrograms), Calcium (250 milligrams), Iron (30 milligrams), Vitamin D (400 international units), Vitamin C (50 milligrams), Copper (2 milligrams), Vitamin B-6 (2 milligrams) and Zinc (15 milligrams).
Remember prenatal vitamins are not substitute of nutrients they are just the compliments of them.
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