Vitamins are needed to maintain body health, especially when pregnant. But did you know?Parentsthat there are several types of vitamins that are prohibited for pregnant women?
Getting the right nutrition is very important, especially during pregnancy because nutrients are needed by both the mother and her growing baby.
Pregnancy increases the need for nutrients, namely macronutrients and micronutrients .
Intake of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, and fat will increase significantly during pregnancy.
The need for micronutrients, which include vitamins and minerals, increases even more than the need for macronutrients.
You will get most of the vitamins and minerals you need by eating a healthy and varied diet.
However, when pregnant, mothers also need to take supplements, especially prenatal vitamins.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology(ACOG) recommends that all pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin and folic acid supplement .
4 Vitamins That Are Prohibited for Pregnant WomenSource: Freepik
Supplements may help reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies linked to birth defects.
Pregnant women who have special conditions such as twin pregnancies or hyperemesis gravidarum also really need vitamin and mineral supplements.
Some supplements may help during pregnancy.
However, there are also some that should be avoided because they can cause dangerous side effects for the mother and baby.
Here are some of them.
1. Additional Vitamin AVitamin A is a vitamin that is important for the growth of babies in the womb.
Including the development of the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and bones as well as the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems.
Vitamin A is also very beneficial if consumed immediately after giving birth because it can help repair postpartum tissue.
Other benefits of vitamin A include helping to maintain normal vision, fighting infections, maintaining the immune system, and helping metabolize fat.
Quoting fromBaby Center, there are two forms of vitamin A, namely preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids.
Preformed vitamin A, also known as retinol, can be used directly by the body without needing to be changed first and can be found in animal products such as eggs, milk, and liver.
Whereas provitamin A carotenoids such as beta-carotene are found in fruits and vegetables, the body must convert this type of vitamin A into retinol in order to use it.
WHO recommends that vitamin A consumption should not exceed 10,000 IU daily during pregnancy, including from supplements and food consumed.
Experts believe that during pregnancy the body should not consume too much vitamin A.preformedbecause it is known to cause the risk of birth defects and liver poisoning if consumed in high doses.
Most prenatal vitamins already contain sufficient levels of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene to meet the daily needs of pregnant women.
Several other types of supplements and fortified foods also typically contain significant amounts of vitamin A.
It is not recommended to consume additional vitamin A during pregnancy because consuming prenatal vitamins alone is sufficient, especially since we can get vitamin A from the food we consume every day.
It is better to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables that are high in carotenoids because they are safer for pregnant women.
2. Excessive IodineIodine is a mineral found in food and is one of the most important nutrients a fetus needs for brain development and physical growth.
Iodine intake can be obtained from animal protein foods, such as eggs, chicken, beef, fish, and dairy foods. Sea vegetables such as seaweed are also good sources of iodine.
Iodine can maintain normal thyroid function, where the thyroid works to regulate hormones that control metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and other core body functions.
Babies of pregnant women who get enough iodine during pregnancy also benefit from developing a normally functioning thyroid.
This can reduce the risk of an underdeveloped thyroid which can later have negative effects on the baby such as low IQ, developmental delays, hearing loss , impaired physical growth and development, and other health problems.
National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplementsrecommends that women consume 220 mcg of iodine during pregnancy and 290 mcg while breastfeeding.
Prenatal vitamins or pregnancy vitamins usually contain sufficient amounts of iodine for pregnant women, but this depends on the type of prenatal vitamin consumed.
National Institutes of Healthrecommends that adults consume no more than 1,100 mcg of iodine daily.
Excess iodine can increase the risk of hypothyroidism and problems for the baby in the womb, such as affecting its neurological development.
3. High Dose Vitamin CDuring pregnancy, the mother and baby need vitamin C to make collagen, a structural protein that is a component of cartilage, tendons, bones and skin.
Vitamin C is also important for a healthy immune system.
Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is essential for tissue repair, wound healing, bone growth and repair, and healthy skin.
Vitamin C can help the body fight infections and acts as an antioxidant , protecting cells from damage.
Vitamin C also helps maximize the amount of iron you get from other foods you eat. Pregnant women need more iron during pregnancy to prevent health problems such as anemia .
Pregnant women need more vitamin C than people who are not pregnant.
Pregnant women aged 18 years and under need 80 milligrams (mg) per day, while pregnant women aged 19 years and over need 85 mg per day.
Typically, prenatal vitamins already contain the right amount of vitamin C.
It is best to avoid consuming additional vitamin C supplements because high doses of vitamin C are not safe for pregnant women.
The maximum daily amount considered safe is 1800 mg for women aged 18 years and under and 2000 mg for those aged 19 years and over.
Excessive vitamin C can upset the digestive system and more research is needed to understand how this supplement may affect pregnancy.
4. Vitamin E Supplements with Combinations of Other VitaminsVitamin E benefits the immune system and contributes to eye, brain, and skin health.
This type of vitamin has also been used for decades in dermatology as a shield to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Topically vitamin E can increase collagen production .
When taken orally, vitamin E helps reduce the time it takes for the body to heal wounds due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
However, it is best to avoid consuming vitamin E during pregnancy.
Consuming vitamin E can actually increase abdominal pain in pregnant women and increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes when the pregnancy has entered full term.
To get the daily vitamin E you need during pregnancy, you should eat foods rich in vitamin E such as almonds , sunflower seeds , avocados , kiwis , and mangoes .
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Be careful about any medications and vitamins you may take while pregnant.
Medicines including tablets, oils, inhalants, ointments, anything that enters the mother’s body can be passed to the baby through the placenta.
Certain drugs and compounds have the potential to cause birth defects and may affect the baby’s development.
Always consult your doctor regarding dosage, safety, and potential risks and benefits of taking certain vitamins and medications during pregnancy.
Hopefully the list of additional vitamins that are prohibited for pregnant women above can be useful.
Vitamins and supplements in pregnancy
https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/vitamins-and-supplements-pregnancy/#
Supplements During Pregnancy: What’s Safe and What’s Not
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/supplements-during-pregnancy
Supplements During Pregnancy: What’s Safe and What’s Not
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/vitamins-and-supplements-during-pregnancy
What Vitamins and Supplements Should I Avoid During Pregnancy?
https://www.medicinenet.com/vitamins_and_supplements_avoid_during_pregnancy/article.htm
Vitamin A during pregnancy
https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/diet-and-fitness/vitamin-a-in-your-pregnancy-diet_675
Iodine in pregnancy
https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/iodine-in-diet/
Vitamin C during pregnancy
https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/diet-and-fitness/vitamin-c-in-your-pregnancy-diet_660
Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy
https://www.cochrane.org/CD004069/PREG_vitamin-e-supplementation-pregnancy
The Health Benefits of Vitamin E
https://www.verywellfit.com/vitamin-e-supplements-what-you-need-to-know-90042
Safe Vitamin A Dosage During Pregnancy and Lactation
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/63838/WHO_NUT_98.4_eng.pdf;jsessionid=AAA58D2F411D81AB8606BE0427D5D391?sequence=1
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia