ASK MR. VITAMIN

PRENATAL VITAMINS…AN INSURANCE POLICY!

Q What is the best prenatal vitamin to take? Where can I buy them? Most importantly briefly tell us why these are better for us and the baby.
Ashley R.

A. Several decades ago it was shown that when moms to be took higher doses of the B-vitamin Folic Acid the incidences of neural tube defects went down drastically. This led to nutritional supplement manufacturers scrambling to make a multi vitamin for new moms called prenatal vitamins. By taking a prenatal it insures the new mom that all of the basic nutritional bases for her and the baby’s health are covered. Kind of like a prenatal insurance policy.

Prenatal vitamins are primarily standard potency, multi vitamin and mineral formulas that have had more Folic Acid, Iron and Calcium injected into the recipe. The following are several thoughts about prenatal vitamins:

1. Taking a prenatal vitamin is not a substitute for healthy, responsible and clean prenatal eating. High protein, high fiber, good fats, plenty of water, gobs of fresh fruits and veggies and minimal sugar should be your prenatal dietary goal.

2. Try to find a prenatal that is manufactured using mostly “whole food” sources. Several reliable manufacturers would be RAINBOW LIGHT, MEGA FOOD, NEW CHAPTER.

3. The term “best” all depends on the individual mom’s needs. To some new moms best means “easy to swallow” or maybe “only one pill-a-day”. The manufacturers shown above are in my opinion the “best” in nutrient quality and consistency.

4. If you plan on nursing, continue to take your prenatal completely through the nursing phase. Those nutrients and micro-elements will permeate your breast milk. There is evidence showing that this may help the baby’s immune response and brain development.

5. Prenatal vitamins can now be purchased in tablet, capsule, liquid and even powder form. Try to purchase whichever form you can best tolerate.

These top quality prenatal brands can be found in most health food stores and online retailers. Oh yea…and most important CONGRATULATIONS! Believe it or not…you will survive.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.