Prenatal Vitamin Ingredients – What You Really Need

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:20:18 +0000

Just picking up some ordinary vitamins at the drugstore is not enough for a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain important nutrients in stronger dosages than regular multivitamin supplements (even those formulated for women). Here is a look at what prenatal vitamins should contain and the benefit of each ingredient for new mother.
Prenatal Vitamin Ingredients
Folic Acid
Folic acid is the most commonly prescribed prenatal supplement for the months prior to becoming pregnant and, once pregnant, it is essential for the health and growth of the baby, especially for brain functions.
The March of Dimes reports that birth defects of the spine, skull, and brain, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are more likely to occur if the mother does not get sufficient folic acid during the first few weeks of her pregnancy - even before she knows she is pregnant.
Calcium
Calcium supplementation is so important during pregnancy. A good prenatal vitamin should include calcium, which is necessary for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Low dietary intake of calcium is associated with increased risk of preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension, urine protein loss and swelling around the ankles).
In the last trimester of pregnancy, skeletal growth is highest and the fetus draws calcium directly from the mother's stores. In addition, clinical trials have shown that adequate calcium during pregnancy lowers blood pressure and may reduce the incidence of premature births.
Magnesium
Magnesium promotes the health of bones and may help maintain normal blood pressure and muscle comfort during pregnancy. Magnesium promotes the health of bones (64% of the body's magnesium is concentrated in the bones). It supports normal bone structure and plays an essential role in more than 300 cellular reactions.
Iron
Iron is recommended to prevent the mother suffering from anemia due to the demands that the baby puts on her iron consumption. Iron is an important mineral and is responsible for helping the mother and the baby's blood to carry oxygen. Iron deficiencies can lead to severe birth defects for the baby.
Vitamin A
Adequate amounts of vitamin A help to promote the health of the baby by promoting normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, and supporting genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. Beta-carotene is a nutrient from plants that the body converts into vitamin A.
Vitamin C
The female body's requirement for vitamin C increases during pregnancy as this vitamin promotes the normal growth of the baby and supports building strong bones and teeth. Vitamin C promotes normal tissue repair and healing. It also supports the absorption of another key nutrient during pregnancy: iron.
Vitamin D
New research from the Boston University School of Medicine is recommending higher intakes of vitamin D as so many are deficient. The women's levels of vitamin D were related to the frequency of milk consumption and prenatal vitamin use.
B-Vitamins
Increased vitamin B6 levels can boost immunities needed after pregnancy and sufficient B6 has been shown to provide infant growth advantages. This B- vitamin can prevent neural tube defects when taken early in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.
B1 and B2 are water-soluble vitamins that support the body's ability to process carbohydrates, fat, and protein. This helps with the energy requirements and production increase in pregnancy.
Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to regulate your body's adrenal activity and antibody production. If you are pregnant and don't get enough B5, your baby's growth may be slowed.
Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin for processing amino acids - the building blocks of all proteins and some hormones, which is vital to your fetus's developing brain and nervous system.
Vitamin B12 (consumed during pregnancy) promotes the health and normal nerve function of the baby.
Biotin
Women have an increased requirement for biotin during pregnancy, and a biotin deficiency may occur in as many as 50 percent of pregnant women. This deficiency may increase the risk of birth defects. The fetus pulls so much of the nutrients from the mother's diet; therefore, it is important that she consumes enough biotin.
Zinc
Increased zinc levels can boost immunities needed after pregnancy. Zinc supports normal growth and development during pregnancy. Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes that support normal healing, fertility in adults and growth in children, protein synthesis, cell reproduction, vision, immune function, and protection against free radicals, among other functions.
Prenatal vitamins can be taken after pregnancy to provide a well-balanced supplementation program. With a mother's hectic schedule and lack of time, prenatal vitamins are a perfect choice for an after pregnancy supplement regimen.
The correct prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Doing your research on prenatal vitamins can be very rewarding and time well spent to ensure an easy and successful pregnancy. Researchers at the University of Maryland have noticed that many commonly prescribed prenatal vitamins do not dissolve well resulting in insufficient absorption of the nutrients.

Some prenatal supplements can cause horrible morning sickness, be hard to swallow and really not deliver the proper amount of vitamins. We have reviewed several prenatals. For more free information and to see our choice of prenatals Click Here:
Prenatal Vitamins
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A Healthy You and A Healthy Baby

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:30:29 +0000

Women who are of child bearing age should begin taking a multivitamin regularly. This ensures that she is getting enough nutrients, especially folic acid. Folic acid can be found in multivitamins as well as in food. This is important because it can decrease the risk of neural tube, which later develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord, defect such as spina bifida. Studies have shown that healthy women who start taking a multivitamin regularly before pregnancy also reduce the risk of preeclampsia, or toxemia. Toxemia is where the mother’s blood pressure shoots up to dangerous levels and could prove lethal to mother and baby. The food we eat may not contain the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals our bodies need. A multivitamin will add those important nutrients to our diet. Taking a multivitamin before and through the first trimester of pregnancy will provide the mother and baby with proper nutrition and lessen the risk of malnutrition. Taking a multivitamin does not mean that you can eat a diet that is lacking the nutrients your body needs. Multivitamins are meant to supplement, and not the sole source of these nutrients. Although women need to eat plenty of healthy foods before and during pregnancy, once she is pregnant there are certain foods a woman should stay away from. Women should avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses, unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider, foods containing raw eggs, raw or undercooked meats, fish containing high levels of mercury, and processed meats.In addition to regularly taking a multivitamin, women should begin a weekly exercise routine. If your doctor says it is safe to do a low-impact exercise during pregnancy, it has been shown to be extremely beneficial. Exercise during pregnancy can prevent excess weight gain; reduce back pain, swelling and other pregnancy related problems; improve sleep; increase energy; and lessen recovery time. If you have an active lifestyle before pregnancy it is okay to continue, but with moderation. Most exercises are safe as long as you don’t overdo it. Safe exercises include swimming, walking, elliptical machines, and other low-impact exercises. Even though you should drink more fluids while pregnant, women should stay away from caffeine and especially alcohol. Water is the best way to get enough fluids. Drinking more water is important. It helps flush out toxins in the body. It is recommended that women should drink at least one gallon of water a day. Water helps your body prepare for all the changes it is going through and alleviate and discomfort you may have. Studies have shown that if you drink more water, you will retain less water because you are properly hydrated. Drinking enough water helps protect the baby by keeping the amniotic sack wet. Adding to the list of benefits from drinking water is preventing premature birth and lessening morning sickness. It is important for women to take care of their bodies before, during, and after they become pregnant. Taking a multivitamin regularly before becoming pregnant will lessen their chances of delivering the baby prematurely. It will also lower the chances of malnutrition. Pregnancy is one of those times when the body needs water. It carries nutrients from you to the baby. Make sure you take the multivitamins, exercise and drink enough water for a happy and healthy baby.

For more info on Women's Multivitamin - Pretty On The Inside, visit Top Form Nutrition
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Prenatal Vitamin Ingredients – What You Really Need

A Healthy You and A Healthy Baby