The Vitamin A warning for women taking pregnancy multi-vitamins
Vitamin A has been attributed to birth defects, a study in the US has
found.
"Warning: Pregnant women should not take vitamin A supplements. Instead they should take beta-carotene.
We get vitamin A from many foods, in the form of either vitamin A or beta-carotene. Liver and dairy products are excellent sources of vitamin A. Carrots, apricots, collard greens, kale, sweet potatoes, parsley, and spinach are good sources as well." (source: Emory Healthcare)
In Australia, I noticed that our pre-natal multi-vitamins do not contain Vitamin A, see this one example, Elevit. However, on the shelves in the US, they do contain Vitamin A, see a product here at Walgreens.
Which is a little concerning and maybe I am not aware of the actual type of vitamin A in these multi-vitamins sold in the US and that they maybe the safe form to take, ie. beta-carotene found in carrot juice. The issue I have is that there is no consumer information on the US pre-natal multi-vitamins surrounding the specifics of what type of vitamin A is safe for pregnant women. Some reports suggest women steer clear of Vitamin A completely as a over the counter vitamin and instead get the essential form our body needs via vegetables and fruits, which the body absorbs what vitamin A it needs.
In the UK, according to this article, from the
Daily Mail women taking pregnancy multi-vitamins need to seek the advice of their doctor to find the most trusted pregnancy multi-vitamin for UK mothers to take.
"A study by Trading Standards watchdogs and charity BDF (Birth Defects Foundation) Newlife has found that a third of all multi-vitamin suppliers do not label their products with warnings stating that they contain vitamin A, which can damage foetuses." (source: Daily Mail)
I could unwittingly take vitamin A without having the choice upfront to assess the issues and assess why some countries like Australia have very clear and strict warnings on multi-vitamins that I have personally come across, as well as doctors warning me about taking too much vitamin A and other countries that I visit, do not provide the same level of consumer information.
In addition, all the news and scientific studies on the web have been posted dating 2005. I struggle to find any additional findings as to any Vitamin A warnings.
I want to be able to provide the awareness and make sure you are fully informed about Vitamin A. If you live in the UK or USA, to seek medical advice and check all the labels as well as find out the safest prenatal multi-vitamins to take throughout pregnancy.
For me, I am seeking out Naturopathic advice as well as my doctors advice. Mother's don't need anymore warnings to worry about and usually it's more about getting too much of the Vitamin A to become a serious issue, although how do you track how much you are having, if you are taking a prenatal multi-vitamin that contains Vitamin A and how much your body is actually getting. How do I know that all the combinations of my diet, body weight and taking souped up pregnancy multi-vitamins, I am not putting my unborn child at risk.
I think it is best to heed the warning, considering awareness and action has been taken in Australia. I also think the same mantra "balanced healthy pregnancy diet" applies here and to leave the medical form of Vitamin A out of the pregnancy picture.
A big note: It's also good to make sure that your naturopath checks to make sure you are not Vitamin A deficient.
Read the full story here -
Vitamin Warning for all Pregnant Women
(August 2007) (
Karen
