- Vitamin A in pregnancy
- Vitamin D in pregnancy
- Vitamin E in pregnancy
- Vitamin K in pregnancy
- Vitamin C in pregnancy
- B vitamins in pregnancy
- Folic acid in pregnancy
- The need for vitamins during pregnancy
- Food sources of vitamins
Providing the right amount of vitamins is essential for the proper development of pregnancy. The body's needs for most of them can be covered with a he althy diet. However, some require supplementation. Check the need for vitamins in pregnancy, where to find them in food and which vitamins you need to supplement.
During pregnancy, the need for various types of nutrients changes - protein, vitamins and minerals. Many women try to supplement the missing ingredients by looking for their source in food. Sometimes, however, they are insufficient. In such cases, it is worth considering supplementation. Which vitamins are essential in pregnancy?
Vitamin A in pregnancy
Vitamin A is used to define retinol and its derivatives, as well as retinol precursors, of which beta-carotene is the strongest.
Vitamin A is a component of rhodopsin - a protein located in the retina of the eye and involved in the processes of vision. It is associated primarily with a positive effect on the skin and slowing down its aging, but this is not its primary role.
Vitamin A is involved in immune processes and has an antioxidant effect, protecting proteins and DNA from free radical damage.
For pregnant women and women planning a baby, it is important because it participates in cell division and their differentiation - a process that occurs very intensively during fetal life and the growth of the placenta. In addition, it affects the production of reproductive cells.
The effects of excess and deficiency of vitamin A in pregnancy
Excess vitamin A during pregnancy has a teratogenic effect - toxic to the fetus. It can cause embryo death, abnormal development of the fetus and premature birth.
Vitamin A deficiency is also harmful. Both conditions cause birth defects, incl. nervous system and craniofacial system during embryonic development.
Vitamin A requirement in pregnancy
The demand for vitamin A increases slightly during pregnancy (from 700 to 770 μg of retinol equivalent) and much more during breastfeeding (up to 1200-1300 μg of retinol equivalent). However,vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy is not recommended .
Deficiencies appear very rarely, and with a varied diet, they are notwatched.
The risk of avitaminosis A occurs in people who:
- eat very little dietary fat (5-10 g / day),
- suffer from diseases of the digestive tract
- and live under chronic stress.
In pregnancy, the excess of vitamin A, which results from taking dietary supplements, is very dangerous.
Vitamin D in pregnancy
Vitamin D deficiencies are common in the Polish population due to low sun exposure, during which the body produces vitamin D in the skin. It has a huge and very wide meaning for the body.
The effects of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy
Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy poses a threat to both the mother and the proper development of the pregnancy. It increases the risk of pre-eclampsia through decreased calcium absorption and also leads to bone demineralization and osteoporosis.
In the fetus, vitamin D deficiency causes abnormal skeletal development and rickets seen immediately after birth.
Vitamin D requirement in pregnancy
The diet is unable to cover the need for vitamin D, which is present in food in small amounts and in very few products.
During pregnancy and pregnancy planningvitamin D supplementation is required2000 IU daily.
Vitamin E in pregnancy
Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble compounds - tocopherols and tocotrienols. It is important in planning pregnancy because it is responsible for the he alth of the female and male reproductive organs.
Prevents preeclampsia and premature rupture of membranes during pregnancy.
Vitamin E is ubiquitous in food, thereforediet completely covers the need for it during pregnancy .
Vitamin K in pregnancy
Vitamin K deficiencies in pregnancy are very rare due to its widespread distribution in food, and even its high doses are not harmful.
Vitamin K is not assigned a special role in the course of pregnancy.
Harmful effects of warfarin
However, it may be harmful to take the drug warfarin, which is a vitamin K antagonist.
It leads to the development of bone anomalies of the fetus. In contrast, vitamin K is administered to newborns in the first 5 hours of life in order to avoid neonatal hemorrhagic disease.
Vitamin C in pregnancy
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects lipids, proteins, and genetic material from damage. It performs numerous functions in the body, including:
- participates in collagen biosynthesis,
- hormonessteroid,
- adrenaline
- and carnitine.
The effects of vitamin C deficiency in pregnancy
Vitamin C deficiency leads to anemia and a weakened immune system response.
Dosage of vitamin C in pregnancy
Vitamin C is important for pregnant women as it increases the absorption of iron and calcium.
Supplementation at a dose of 80 mg / day is recommended only for women with multiple pregnancies, gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced hypertension.
In all other cases, a he althy diet rich in vegetables and fruits, preferably raw, is sufficient to prevent loss of vitamin C, which is very sensitive to elevated temperatures.
B vitamins in pregnancy
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is a very important component of the metabolism of amino acids and glucose, and also participates in the conduction of nerve impulses.
Her unpleasant pregnancy leads to intrauterine development disorders of the fetus.
The need for vitamin B1 increases with the caloric requirement and is therefore higher during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters.
There is usually no need to supplement with thiamine. It is commonly found in grain products and meat.
However, if your diet is low in carbohydrates and meat, and high in fish such as mackerel, herring and anchovies, and crustaceans, which contain enzymes that break down thiamin, you may need to take supplements.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 participates in the processes of energy release from food and protects against oxidative stress in the body. One of the forms of vitamin B2 (FAD) is involved in the transformation of folate, which is extremely important in pregnancy.
The need for riboflavin during pregnancy is slightly higher, but food sources are sufficient to cover it.
Vitamin B3 and B5
Vitamins B3 and B5 are not assigned any special role in pregnancy, and their needs are covered by diet.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and enzymes.
Vitamin B6 deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal malformations, especially cleft lip and palate. The demand of pregnant women for vitamin B6 is fully covered by food consumption.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is responsible for the proper functioning of the nervous system and digestive system, and together with folic acid it regulates the formation of red blood cells.
Its deficiency leads to anemiamegaloblastic.
Vitamin B12 is found only in animal products. Its supplementation is necessary in pregnant women on a vegan diet and significantly limiting animal products.
Taking vitamin B12 supplements may also be necessary for metformin treatment in diabetes.
Folic acid in pregnancy
Folic acid is undoubtedly the most important vitamin during pregnancy and its planning.
The effects of folic acid deficiency in pregnancy
Its deficiencies lead to fetal neural tube defects and numerous developmental disorders, and increase the risk of pre-eclampsia and miscarriage. They are also responsible for atherosclerosis, lead to thrombosis and anemia.
The need for folic acid in pregnancy
The diet is not able to cover the needs of a pregnant woman for folic acid. Itssupplementation is required at least 12 weeks prior to pregnancy , during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
It is most often recommended to supplement with 600-800 μg of folic acid daily.
The need for vitamins during pregnancy
| Vitamin | Pregnant demand | Requirement during lactation |
| A |
<19 lat - 750 μg ≥ 19 years old - 770 μg retinol equivalent |
<19 lat - 1200 μg ≥ 19 years - 1,300 μg retinol equivalent |
| D | 15 μg of cholecalciferol | 15 μg of cholecalciferol |
| E | 10 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalent | 11 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalent |
| K | 55 μg phylloquinone | 55 μg phylloquinone |
| B1 | 1.4 mg | 1.5 mg |
| B2 | 1.4 mg | 1.6 mg |
| B3 | 1.8 mg | 1.7 mg |
| B5 | 6 mg | 7 mg |
| B6 | 1.9 mg | 2.0 mg |
| B12 | 2.6 μg | 2.8 μg |
| B9 | 600 μg folate equivalent | 500 μg folate equivalent |
| C |
<19 lat - 80 mg ≥ 19 years old - 85 mg |
<19 lat - 115 mg ≥ 19 years old - 120 mg |
Food sources of vitamins
| Vitamin |
Food sources |
| A |
offal, eggs, ripened cheese, butter, spreads enriched with vitamin A carrots, parsley, broccoli, kale, spinach,apricots, peaches |
| D | oily fish, fish oils, eggs, vitamin D-enriched spreads |
| E | vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, grains, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, eggs, liver |
| K |
green leafy vegetables, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, basil, coriander soybean oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, soft margarines liver, cheese, fermented dairy products, egg yolk, fish |
| B1 | meat and meat products, liver, eggs, milk, pulses, wholegrain cereal products (e.g. wholemeal bread, oatmeal), nuts |
| B2 | milk, cottage cheese, cheese, whole grain cereals, spinach, broccoli, green peas |
| B3 | liver, chicken, turkey, other meats and meat preparations, fish, peanuts, cereal grains and whole grain products |
| B5 | whole grain cereals, brown rice, fish, chicken, legumes, milk and dairy products, nuts, eggs, potatoes, broccoli, bananas, oranges, melons, avocados, mushrooms, soybeans |
| B6 | salmon, mackerel, rainbow trout, meat, poultry, offal, legume seeds, nuts, seeds, whole grains, brown rice, quinoa, wheat germ, curry, ginger, garlic, chili, red pepper, sauerkraut, potatoes, tomato juice, bananas, dried apricots |
| B12 | meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, offal |
| B9 | chickpeas, white beans, spinach, parsley, parsley root, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, savoy cabbage, lettuce, asparagus, cabbage, wheat germ, peppers, bananas, strawberries, cherries, kiwi, oranges, raspberries, sesame, sunflower, peanuts, walnuts, brown rice, wholemeal bread, graham bread, wheat flour, liver, eggs, fresh salmon |
| C | all vegetables and fruits, especially parsley, red pepper, cruciferous vegetables, dark berries, strawberries, kiwi, oranges |
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