Prenatal Vitamins.... What to look for and what to skip.
In my line of business I get this question a lot, “What Prenatal Vitamins should I be taking?. The first thing I say is, not the ones the Dr. Prescribes to you. Many women are confused when I say this and ask me why. The answer is simple, Read the Label .
In this Blog I am going to look at the labels of the vitamins that the Dr. prescribes plus the labels of some of the popular brands you see.
Why Do I Need Prenatal Vitamins?
Growing a baby is tough work. Baby will take what he needs, whether or not you have much to give. To avoid losing your own stores of nutrients, you have to get enough vitamins and minerals for both of you. Here are the most common vitamins and minerals in prenatal vitamins and an overview of what they do in the body:
Vitamin A: Supports eye and brain development, respiratory development
Thiamin (Vitamin B1): Supports the nervous system, supports baby’s brain development
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Supports healthy eyes and skin
Niacin (Vitamin B3): Supports the digestive, integumentary, and nervous systems
Pantothenic (Vitamin B5): Helps to create hormones and may ease leg cramps
Vitamin B6: Helps form red blood cells and may help with morning sickness
Biotin (Vitamin B7): Works with other B vitamins to help release energy from food
Folate/ Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): Prevents neural tube defects and Spina Bifida in baby
Vitamin B12: Promotes blood formation and helps prevent birth defects that affect the spine and central nervous system
Vitamin C: Helps your body absorb iron and protects against the effects of stress
Vitamin D: Helps strengthen bones and teeth, plus helps your body utilize calcium and phosphorus
Vitamin E: Promotes overall wellness and metabolism, plus may help reduce miscarriages
Vitamin K: Supports healthy bone formation, blood clotting, and healing
Calcium: Supports bone development
Copper: Plays a role in iron metabolism and supports blood health
Iron: Helps the blood carry oxygen
Iodine: Supports healthy thyroid function, metabolism, fetal growth, and hearing
Magnesium: Supports healthy blood pressure and healthy birth weight
Zinc: Supports immune, nerve, and muscle function
What to look for in a Vitamin?
Does the product contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, fillers?
Bioavailability
Source of ingredients
Dissolve time
Does the brand conduct contaminant screening?
# contaminants, screening methods
History of recalls
Clinical research on finished products?
Is this research peer-reviewed and published?
The pic below is what your daily intake of vitamin and minerals SHOULD look like.
The “Pink” Prenatal
The “Pink” prenatals the Dr. prescribes. These make many women sick.
So let’s dissect this label.. Firstly lets ALL agree that this vitamin falls extremely short on the daily intake suggested.
Vitamin A, Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, is not adequate.
Doesn’t contain Full Spectrum of B vitamins.
Missing: Vitamin K , Iodine, Selenium, Iodine, and MAGNESIUM ( the culprit of headaches, insomnia, leg cramps etc)
Has Red and Yellow food dyes!!!! These are Neurotoxins and poisons!
Also contains Preservatives and Fillers.
Bioavailability (how nutrients are absorbed) is POOR.
Bottom Line: These STINK.
Smarty Pants Gummy Prenatal.
Smarty Pants Gummy Prentals.
Low in: Vitamin C, Zinc
Missing: Full Spectrum Vitamin B’s, Calcium, IRON, Magnesium, Selenium.
Contains SUGAR.
Love your Gummy because you cant swallow a pill??
Here’s what Consumer Labs says about Gummy Vitamins.
Consumer Lab Report
Garden Of Life Prenatal
Low in:
Magnesium, zinc, Calcium, Selenium,
Rainbow Light Prenatal
Low in:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Iron
Magnesium
Zinc
Missing:
Calcium
Full Spectrum Vitamin B’s
Vitamin K
Choline
This Vitamin Is also listed Survey Data on Lead in Women's and Children's Vitamins, which is worth a read.
New Chapter Perfect Prenatal
Low in:
Magnesium
Zinc
Copper
Calcium
Vitamin C
Well, what DO you recommend?
So about a year ago. I was on the hunt for a GOOD children’s vitamin. One that contained full servings of 23 essential vitamins and minerals and also NO FOOD DYES. My children reacted poorly to the food dyes and also after doing my own research, I was disgusted with my findings… More on Food Dyes Here.
In walks my friend and doula client, Julie. She told me about Shaklee. At first I was skeptical and I sat with several vitamins in my cart for 2+ weeks. The more I looked into them, the more reasons I found to try them.
What made me choose Shaklee?
Their Products are SAFE. In a world where supplements an vitamins are unregulated, this was the most important reason for me. I knew that I was taking a vitamin that didn’t have anything that wasn’t suppose to be there. Shaklee products undergo a screening process that surpasses even the standards of the United States Pharmacopeia.
Shaklee screens for over 350 contaminants, pesticides and impurities on every botanical ingredient.
Shaklee conducts over 100,000 quality tests a year to make sure that our products are safe for you and your family.
Their Products are PROVEN.
Our products are backed by 71 patents and patents-pending, and over 120 published scientific papers and presentations
Shaklee products are backed by more than 120 published scientific papers and presentations that show they make a difference in your health.
Their products are GUARANTEED
Shaklee stands behind their products with a 100% money-back guarantee—no questions asked
Let’s take a look at their MultiVitamin Label. VitaLea, which is recommended as a Pre/postnatal Vitamin
The proof is in the label. This is a Complete and well balanced vitamin.
If you want to purchase these vitamins I recommend the Vitalizer Strip, It’s the best bang for your buck. You get your multi vitamin, Vitamin C+B, Fish oil (screened for heavy metals) and probiotic all in one, convenient strip.
Summary
Read your labels, and make sure you are getting what you need. Have questions about a vitamin not mentioned above? Message me.
Next Week’s topic: Folate vs Folic Acid.. Synthetic vs Natural.
Thanks for Reading!