How
important is it that I take
my prenatal vitamins?
Most
doctors recommend women
to take their vitamins
simply because it is impossible
to meet their body's demands
for iron and folic acid
through diet alone. Prenatal
vitamin is different from
the regular multivitamin
because of the folic and
iron content. These are
the most important supplements
for you during pregnancy.
(The demand for these
nutrients increases dramatically
once you are pregnant.)
0.4 mg of folic acid is
an important MUST. Although
vitamins have its place,
you cannot substitute
good eating habits with
it. Prenatal vitamins
contain essential ingredients
for the development of
your baby and your continued
good health. A typical
prenatal vitamin contains:
• Calcium to build
baby's teeth and bones
and to help strengthen
your own
• Copper to help
prevent anemia
• Folic acid to
reduce the risk of neural-tube
defects and toe help in
blood-cell production
• Iodine to help
control metabolism
• Iron to prevent
anemia and to help baby's
blood development
• Vitamin A, B1,
B2, B3, B6, for general
health and body metabolism
• Vitamin B12 for
blood formation
• Vitamin C to aid
in your body's absorption
of iron
• Vitamin D to strengthen
baby's bones and teeth
and to help you use phosphorous
and calcium
• Vitamin E for
general health and body
metabolism
• Zinc to help balance
fluids in your body and
to aid nerve and muscle
function |
