If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant choosing a correct vitamin supplement is very important. There are many differences between prenatal and normal multivitamins that should all be known and understood. Below we break down the make up and benefits of each of these.
Facts About Prenatal Vitamins
1. Why They’re Important
Prenatal vitamins are very important, they provide the essential nutrients that may not be received through a healthy diet alone. These vitamins are wonderful for the development of a unborn child. They help to prevent neural tube birth defects as well as promote healthy bone density and growth.
2. When To Take Them
Many people believe that prenatal vitamins are only necessary after you have become pregnant, this is not the case. Prenatal vitamins help to create the most ideal environment for pregnancy to occur. If you are planning on getting pregnant or are trying to become pregnant than prenatal vitamins are an important tool.
3. What They Are
There are many different vitamins and nutrients within a prenatal vitamin and all serve different purposes. Folic acid is among one of the most important. Folic acid is incredibly effective in preventing birth defects in the brain and spinal cord. The other supplements that are in a good prenatal vitamin are iron, calcium, copper, vitamin C, vitamin B6, Vitamin D, and zinc.
4. Not A Substitute
Many of the supplements in prenatal vitamins can be obtained through certain foods. A healthy and balanced diet is also a vitally important thing for a woman who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant to have. Taking a prenatal vitamin is not a substitute for a healthy diet.
Regular Vitamins
1. Fills In Gaps
Taking a regular multivitamin can help to give your body the nutrients it needs that is lacking in your daily diet. Most multivitamins contain 100 percent of your daily values of many vitamins, which gives you a great boost.
2. Make Up
Most multivitamins contain a number of different supplements. The most high quality and effective ones contain iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, selenium, biotin, and vitamin D. All of these serve different, but equally important, purposes.
3. Benefits
Some of the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin is decreased risk of diseases such as cancer or heat disease. Another great benefit is healthier skin and improved immune system functions. Multivitamins have great effects on the entire body, especially when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Differences Between Prenatal and Multi Vitamins
1.Need
Prenatal vitamins differ from multivitamins because of what they are used for. Prenatal vitamins are tailored for women who are either trying to become pregnant or are already pregnant while multivitamins are made for general, day to day health and body functions.
2. Composition
Since prenatal vitamins are for pregnant women, they are focused on the healthy development of fetuses. This causes for certain nutrients to be added in more plentiful quantities and some to be omitted all together. The biggest example of this is folic acid. We all need a certain amount of folic acid for healthy brain development and to fight off cancers but not as much an expecting mother. Folic acid prevents a multitude of birth defects and is needed in much higher volume when pregnant.
3. Cost
The cost of these different vitamins are also quite different. A good quality prenatal vitamin can cost as much as 40 dollars for a 90 day supply. Normal multivitamins cost just around 15 for the same amount.