Vitamin A and Pregnancy
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With pregnancy you might ask yourself many times, “am I eating healthy?” Eating a balance of healthy foods during your pregnancy will give your body its best nutrition. If you have any questions, make sure to ask your Physician for his or her advice. If by some chance you are told to begin taking supplements, Vitamin A may be considered part of your treatment, possibly after the first trimester.Vitamin A will come in several forms, but two forms are:
- Retinol (from food source)
- Beta-carotene (supplement source)
Foods rich in vitamin A are:
- Liver
- Fish oil
- Eggs
- Milk (whole, fortified)
- Carrots,
- Kale
- Squash
- Spinach
- Cantaloupe
Some benefits of vitamin A are:
- Bone growth
- Reproduction
- Cell division
- Cell differentiation
- Regulates immune system
- Helps the body fight infection more effectively
- Promotes healthy surface linings (eyes, respiratory, urinary)
- Functions as a barrier to bacteria and viruses
Some risks associated with vitamin A are:
- Birth defects (excessive consumption)
- Osteoporosis and hip fractures
- Delayed growth
Recommended daily intake:
- Pregnant women
- 14 to 18 years, 750 mcg
- 19 years or older, 770 mcg
- Women, lactating
- 14 to 18 years, 1,200 mcg
- 19 years or older, 1,300 mcg
This information is offered to you as information only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional for information and or questions.
Source:
Vitamin A, iVillage Health
hayley says...
I have been taking a multi-vitamin with added cod liver oil capsules which contain 800 mcg every day for 6 weeks since realising I was pregnant, often I have taken 2 a day beacause I was unaware of the risks of vitamin A overdose.
I have now found out that too much vitamin A can be harmful and I am worried because I have been taking double the RDA. I have looked this up on several websites and in the most part it says that pregnant women should not exceed the RDA however most studies agree that consumption of 10,000IU (which I think is around 3000 mcg)is concidered safe.
Reading this has helped but I am still a little worried - should I be concerned or not about this?