The Best Prenatal Vitamins for You and Your Baby

Pregnancy is both an exciting and scary time. You're excited about the baby you will soon be holding in your arms, but scared you're going to mess something up. Choosing a prenatal vitamin is only one of the many choices you will find yourself making during your pregnancy. There are a wide variety of prenatal vitamins on the market today. Finding the right one can seem like a daunting task.

As most prenatal vitamins follow recommended guidelines published by health organizations, you will find that most have similar amounts of each vitamin. However, not all vitamins are created alike when it comes to the source or additives. When choosing a prenatal vitamin, it's important to carefully examine the label.

Most vitamins found in stores are chemical-based vitamins. These vitamins are man-made, but in theory are supposed to be identical to the vitamins found naturally in food. However, there have been scientific studies that found the human body has difficulty absorbing and using these vitamins. So even though you may be taking the recommended amount, your body isn't getting the full amount.

Food-based vitamins, on the other hand, are manufactured from food, usually organic. These vitamins can be absorbed and used more easily. Due to the higher expense of manufacturing food-based vitamins, these aren't as easily found and generally cost more than chemical-based ones. While the higher price tag may be a deterrent, you should keep in mind that while chemical-based vitamins are cheaper, they're shortchanging you and your baby of needed vitamins due to their poor absorption.

Many store-bought prenatal vitamins contain harmful colorings and other additives. If you read the material data safety sheet for FD&C Blue #2, you would see that this colorant can be harmful if swallowed and can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. A material data safety sheet for FD&C Red #40 says that, based on animal test data, it may cause adverse reproductive effects or birth defects. Yet these food colorants are sometimes found in store-bought prenatal vitamins.

Some vitamins contain additives that should be avoided. Aspartame has been linked to nearly 170 symptoms, many of which involve the nervous system. A 1996 study revealed a possible link between aspartame and brain tumors. It has been suggested that sucralose may cause kidney and liver damage, shrink the thymus and decrease the production of red blood cells.

Prenatal vitamins may contain mineral oil to make them easier to swallow. While mineral oil is fine in small doses ordinarily, it's recommended that pregnant women not use it as it can interfere with the absorption of nutrients.

With a little time spent researching, it is possible to find a safe prenatal vitamin. New Chapter Perfect Prenatal and Rainbow Light Prenatals are a couple you may want to consider.

Sources:

http://healthmad.com/nutrition/choosing-a-prenatal-vitamin/

http://www.naturallysavvy.com/family-life/natural-pregnancy-and-prenatal/natural-prenatal/1005-choosing-a-prenatal-multi-vitamin-mineral

http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-FD_C_Blue_2-9924015

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924020

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/medications/mineral-oil/index.aspx