Prenatal Vitamins

[Fortune Cooki]

I just purchased 'Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal'. Does anyone use these? I was not satisfied with the Vitamin A content or lack of Selenium in the other prenatal vitamins. This was the best I could find, without having to order anything. I'm in the U.S.

 

[jensha]

I do! I think they are the best out there! I love them!!!!
To me, it was really important to pick a natural brand with whole food instead of synthetic vitamins.
I order them online from iherbs, so they are less expensive then in the stores close to me.

 

[misspriss]

That was my second choice, I would be happy with it. It was down to 'Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal' or 'Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System' - I chose the Rainbow Light. Rainbow Light's complete prenatal system has considerably more of several minerals. When you look at them in a side-by-side comparison, I picked the one with more. However, they are both GREAT vitamins, like I said this would be my second choice.

At vitacost.com, the Rainbow Light ones are over $10 cheaper for the same number of doses.

 

[jensha]

It's not just about the quantity of vitamins, but also about the source and bio-availability. I wouldn't use Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System because
1- The vitamin A content is 50-50 beta-carotene and palmitate (should only be beta-carotene)
2- the folic acid is not folate and there is too much of it. Google Dr Furhman and folic acid and you'll see it's linked to cancer and we should only get it as folate (which naturally occurs in plants)

 

[misspriss]

It's not just about the quantity of vitamins, but also about the source and bio-availability. I wouldn't use Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System because
1- The vitamin A content is 50-50 beta-carotene and palmitate (should only be beta-carotene)
2- the folic acid is not folate and there is too much of it. Google Dr Furhman and folic acid and you'll see it's linked to cancer and we should only get it as folate (which naturally occurs in plants)

I'm no expert, but from my quick study, I don't understand why a blend of preformed and non-preformed Vitamin A is not as good as all unformed Vitamin A. It sounds like Retinol sources are purer sources of Vitamin A, since carotenes have to be converted to retinal types, it seems like the blend allows you to absorb more because you might not have time to absorb as much if it has to covert it all? Just my spectulation to why they used a blend. I don't see any problems with palmitate Vitamin A. You give no reason to why it should only be beta-carotene and not a blend of a carotene and a retinol source.

Although Folic acid and Folate are not the same thing, every article I have read suggests that they are both used in the body, and that Folic acid is actually better absorbed in the body.

I also think that if 50% of people can't process Folic Acid, then why are their so many studies saying they help with neural tube defects and stuff like that, if HALF the population can't use it? I doubt they used folate in the studies and lie and say it is folic acid.

I'm not sure of Dr. Fuhrman's expertise in nutrition either, I mean he is a family doctor who's biography says more about his figure skating career than his medical training.

 

[dizzy65]

im taking materna they are a little bit easier to take than some of the others ones (like i had when i was pregnant with DS)

 

[Fortune Cooki]

Thanks for the comments! Yeah, I was wondering about the palmitate as well. Then I realized I was having Vit. A palmitate in my coconut and almond milks for my greens/fruit smoothies.

 

[oedipamass]

I am glad to see this thread. I just switched from New Chapter's Perfect Prenatal to starting Rainbow Light Organic Prenatal. I was concerned that NC didn't have enough folate (only 600mg), whereas RL has 800+ mg of folic acid -which I have read is better absorbed to prevent birth defects. I am entering my fifth week, when the neural tube is being formed and closing, so I want to be sure to cover my bases with the folic acid. After the 1st trimester, I might switch back to New Chapter, because I do believe folate is probably safer in the long run.

Incidentally, I have a lot of respect for Dr. Furhman. Regardless of his qualifications on paper, I know he has been studying nutrition for decades and has written many very well-researched books I've enjoyed in the past.

 

[Renaendel]

I use Natures Bounty. It is one of the few brands in the US that is Gluten, soy and lactose free. It doesn't make me sick at all. First multivitamin to ever do that for me. I use Natures Bounty and GNC for all my suppliments now since other brands made me so sick.

 

[sweetavenue]

I did a lot of research on prenatal vitamins when I found out I was pregnant. I decided on Garden of Life's raw prenatals, and I'm quite glad I did. I'm 11 weeks along now, and I have had almost no nausea. The vitamins never upset my stomach, and even though it is annoying to take them 3x a day, the lack of morning sickness alone more than makes up for it!

I also take DEVA vegan calcium & magnesium pills because the GOL vitamins are lacking in those. I also take GOL "ocean mom" DHA

 

[Fortune Cooki]

I also take DEVA vegan calcium & magnesium pills because the GOL vitamins are lacking in those. I also take GOL "ocean mom" DHA

I take the Ocean Mom DHA too. Good stuff. Are you going to keep taking the DHA dominant Omega 3 postnatal or are you going to switch to EPA ones? I used to take just the regular EPA dominant ones before getting pregnant and had to figure out what the whole deal was between the two.

 

[justhoping]

I just purchased 'Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal'. Does anyone use these? I was not satisfied with the Vitamin A content or lack of Selenium in the other prenatal vitamins. This was the best I could find, without having to order anything. I'm in the U.S.

to much vit A causes cleft pallet be careful on Vitamin A intake in early stages of pregnancy

 

[LuckyW]

Good discussion. I have also been taking the Garden of Life Vitamin Code.

Regarding beta carotene as preferred type of Vitamin A and folate vs folic acid, I think the general idea is that these nutrients should ideally be coming from food and not supplements. That while uptake/absorption might be greater in the synthesized forms, there is such a thing as too much and/or toxic levels.

Fuhrman doesn't believe that any form of Vitamin A should come from a supplement (just vegetables), but I've also read that it's excessive amounts of preformed Vitamin A, but not carotenoids, that is associated with birth defects. And since I don't always eat a huge amount of veggies everyday, I'm fine with the beta carotene in the Raw Prenatal.

Regarding folic acid, even while it's everywhere and pushed hard on pregnant women, I think it's entirely plausible it predisposes us to higher risks of cancers. I think we have a long way to go before we really understand how nutrients affect our bodies, so I tend to prefer the more natural forms (folate) to synthesized formulations (folic acid).

 

[oedipamass]

Are you ladies taking Calcium supps too? I'm reading his pregnancy book, and Dr. Oz recommends 600mg/3x a day!!! How in the world are we supposed to take it that frequently without interfering with the iron in our prenatals?!