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Multivitamin Diet before Getting Pregnant

Multivitamin Diet before Getting Pregnant
Healthy foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, are the best sources of vitamins and minerals. It is especially important for women who can become pregnant to get enough folic acid. If you are trying to conceive and plan to have a baby soon you should know that Folic acid (B vitamin) helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord when taken before and very early in pregnancy. It is available in most multivitamins, as a folic acid-only supplement and in some foods.

It is highly recommended by specialists that all women of childbearing age take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, as part of a healthy diet. Also during pregnancy, a woman needs more of some nutrients, such as iron, calcium and folic acid. For this reason, it is wise to start taking a multivitamin before pregnancy.

Choose a Multivitamin You Need

Most multivitamins typically contain about 20 vitamins and minerals, including:

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin K

• Folic acid

• Niacin

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

• Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

• Calcium

• Iodine

• Iron

• Magnesium

• Phosphorus

• Zinc

Most multivitamins contain at least 100% of the daily value (DV) for nearly all vitamins, but they usually don't contain 100% of the DV for minerals. (The DV is the amount of a vitamin or mineral that a person should consume every day. The Food and Drug Administration sets the daily values for the United States.)

Be sure the multivitamin contains 400 micrograms of folic acid. Don't expect a multivitamin to provide 100% of the DV of calcium. To get enough calcium, eat food rich in calcium such as milk, yogurt, cheese and broccoli.

Avoid high doses.

Some vitamins and minerals are toxic in high doses for women and their developing babies. Examples are iron, chromium, selenium and vitamin A. To avoid high doses, choose a multivitamin that includes no more than 100 percent of the DV for each vitamin and mineral. Check with your health care provider before taking any.

Look for USP on the label.

This means that the multivitamin meets the standards of U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). USP is an organization that sets standards for content, quality, purity and safety.

Also remember as you shop that name brands may be no better than store brands.

Know about natural and synthetic vitamins.

In multivitamins, natural and synthetic vitamins have the same health benefit. Natural vitamins cost more than synthetic vitamins.

Avoid extras.

Avoid multivitamins that contain herbs, enzymes or amino acids. You don't need them and they add cost.
Herbal remedies can be toxic. Never take them if you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or are breastfeeding.

! Buy only multivitamins that have expiration date on the label. Take multivitamin safely and store properly.



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