The use of nutritional support, which is becoming increasingly popular today, should be handled more carefully during pregnancy. In particular, the intake of multivitamins should not be random. The necessary vitamins and minerals should be taken through food first, and support should be sought for increasing nutritional requirements. In this process, let’s briefly consider vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, iodine, iron, folic acid and zinc, respectively.
Should I Take Vitamin and Mineral Supplements?
Due to the increased rate of metabolism during pregnancy, it is necessary to take a measure of vitamin C with foods every day. Especially in the last three months of pregnancy, there is a need for a little more vitamin C than usual for the continuation of the mother’s iron stores. To increase iron absorption, pregnant women should be advised to consume foods stronger than iron and vitamin C together. It would be reasonable to consume vegetable iron sources, for example, legumes, as well as greens and lemon salads.
In our country, the Ministry of Health has created an ‘Iron Support Program’ due to the maternal and fetal effects of iron deficiency during pregnancy. It recommends daily iron supplementation to all pregnant women for a total of nine months, starting from the fourth month (second trimester), six months and three months postpartum. It is valuable to include iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, legumes, dried fruits, molasses, whole grains and enriched grain products in the pregnancy nutrition program.
Approximately 90% of the required vitamin D comes from sunlight and 10% from food. Vitamin D is naturally found in fatty fish, liver, egg yolk, mushrooms, and to a lesser extent red meat and cheese. Low vitamin D levels increase the risk of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. Therefore, pregnant women with low vitamin D levels should not be negligent about support. It is also known that there is an increase in bad bacteria in the microbiota of people who do not see enough sunlight during pregnancy.
Calcium absorption increases during pregnancy and this need can be supplemented with food. However, some authorities consider the offer of calcium supplementation as appropriate. If it is taken as a supplement, the two nutritional supplements should be administered at intervals of several hours, as negative interactions between iron and calcium supplements may occur.
Iodine requirement also increases during pregnancy. Especially for the iodine mineral, which plays a valuable role in thyroid functions, Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (TEMD) recommends 250 µg/day iodine intake during pregnancy and lactation periods.
During pregnancy, folic acid requirement increases by 50% and reaches 600 mcg/day. Consumption of foods rich in folate (green leafy vegetables, orange juice, hazelnuts, beans) in the diet is unfortunately not enough to meet the increasing need during pregnancy. For this reason, it is recommended by the Ministry of Health in our country to give 400 mcg/day folic acid supplement to the diet in addition to the diet, starting from the pre-pregnancy period, to women who are planning pregnancy in order to avoid the risk of neural tube defects, and this basis should be continued throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. Pregnancy planning is more meaningful in this respect.
Zinc is a necessary element. Sufficient intake of food should be supported, and it was deemed appropriate to offer personal support.
Food first, then supplements
The most valuable thing is to try to have a stable diet first and to take vitamins and minerals that are highly absorbed in the foods. Your doctor will recommend all these vitamin-mineral supplements to you when deemed necessary. Your doctor will determine the most accurate dose according to your gestational week.
