Limits of prenatal vitamins
Vitamins and minerals such as
iron, calcium and folic acid are essential for fetal growth and development and
healthy adulthood. To increase your chances of creating a healthy environment
for your baby's development, it's important that you establish a balanced diet
and exercise before you become pregnant.
If you decide to supplement
your diet with synthetic nutrients, be sure to keep track of the daily amount
you take and let your doctor know. It is possible to overdose on some vitamins
and minerals, which can have adverse effects on you and your growing baby.
You should be well informed
about the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy.
Sources of vitamins and minerals
If your diet consists of raw
foods, fruits, a variety of vegetables, whole grains, lentils, and plenty of
water, you probably already have enough vitamins and minerals in your body. As
long as you eat a balanced diet, you don't have to worry about overdosing on
the natural nutrients in your food.
However, some studies have
shown symptoms of toxicity after heavy ingestion of animal organs such as the
liver.
Supplements (synthetic
vitamins and minerals) are a different story. They contain higher doses of
nutrients in concentrated form, which can be harmful if taken in the wrong
amounts. Always tell your doctor about any nutritional supplements you are
taking.
Vitamin limits for pregnant women
Prenatal vitamins consist of
many vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, a woman's daily requirement for
certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folic acid), calcium, and iron,
increases. If you are pregnant (or trying to get pregnant) and are considering
taking prenatal vitamins, read food labels carefully and be familiar with terms
such as RDA and UL.
- RDA = recommended daily
dose. The RDA represents the amount of nutrients needed to maintain good health
for most people.
- UL = tolerable upper
intake levels. The UL represents the maximum amount that most people can take
without experiencing potentially harmful effects.
Avoid taking multiple
different supplements, instead take a multivitamin that includes a variety of
essential nutrients in one dose. Combining supplements (such as taking a folic
acid supplement with a multivitamin) can be dangerous because you risk
overdosing on a particular nutrient.
During pregnancy, more than
twice the recommended dietary allowance of any nutrient should be avoided. If
you are taking additional supplements, you should be aware of the signs and
symptoms of an overdose.
Differences between fat soluble and water soluble vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins are
stored in the body. If you consume more than your body needs, excess
fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and body fat. This can lead to
toxic side effects that will harm you and your baby.
Water-soluble vitamins do not
accumulate in the body, but dissolve in water and are regularly excreted in the
urine.
If you swallow an overdose of a water soluble vitamin, the excess will be flushed out of your body. However, overdose can still be dangerous due to the potentially irritating effects of vitamins on the digestive system.