
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that's stored in the liver. Vitamin A is important for your baby's embryonic growth, including the development of the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and bones as well as the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems.
How does vitamin A harm an unborn baby?
The main adverse effects associated with excessive vitamin A intake, particularly at the beginning of the first quarter of pregnancy, are congenital malformations involving the central nervous and cardiovascular systems and spontaneous abortion [12,13].
Can I have vitamin A while pregnant?
It is also recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement. Do not take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) when you're pregnant. Too much vitamin A could harm your baby.
Is vitamin A linked to birth defects?
Background: Studies in animals indicate that natural forms of vitamin A are teratogenic. Synthetic retinoids chemically similar to vitamin A cause birth defects in humans; as in animals, the defects appear to affect tissues derived from the cranial neural crest.
How can I improve my baby's brain during pregnancy?
But here are six simple, research-supported ways to help boost your baby's brain development in utero.Take a Hike. Well, it doesn't have to be a hike, a 30-minute walk will do the trick! ... Food as Medicine. ... Supplement A Healthy Diet. ... Read to Your Bump. ... Get More Sleep. ... Get Geared Up.
How many mg of vitamin A is safe during pregnancy?
The National Research Council's recommended dietary allowance for vitamin A during pregnancy is 1,000 retinol equivalents (RE)/day, which is equivalent to 3,300 IU as retinol or 5,000 IU of vitamin A obtained from the typical American diet as a combination of retinol and carotenoids, e.g., beta-carotene.
What vitamins shouldn't I take when pregnant?
If you're pregnant, you should avoid supplements and multivitamins containing vitamin A (retinol) - as too much of it can harm your baby's development. You should also avoid liver and liver products (including fish liver oil), as they are high in vitamin A.
How long does vitamin A stay in your system?
The liver stores vitamins and minerals for the times when they may be lacking in the diet. It can store enough vitamin A and vitamin B12 for four years, and enough vitamin D for four months.
What food has a lot of vitamin A?
Food SourcesLeafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli), orange and yellow vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and other winter squash, summer squash)Tomatoes.Red bell pepper.Cantaloupe, mango.Beef liver.Fish oils.Milk.Eggs.More items...
What vitamins shouldn't I take when pregnant?
If you're pregnant, you should avoid supplements and multivitamins containing vitamin A (retinol) - as too much of it can harm your baby's development. You should also avoid liver and liver products (including fish liver oil), as they are high in vitamin A.
Is 1300 mcg vitamin A too much for pregnancy?
Since a number of foods in the U.S. are fortified with preformed vitamin A, pregnant women should avoid multivitamin or prenatal supplements that contain more than 1,500 mcg (5,000 IU) of vitamin A.
Why is vitamin A important during pregnancy?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that's stored in the liver. Vitamin A is important for your baby's embryonic growth, including the development of the heart , lungs , kidneys, eyes, and bones as well as the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Vitamin A is particularly essential ...
How much vitamin A do pregnant women need?
One microgram (mcg) of retinol (preformed vitamin A) is equal to 1 mcg RAE, but it takes 12 mcg of beta-carotene or 24 mcg of alpha-carotene to equal 1 mcg RAE.
What is the unit of measurement for vitamin A?
An older standard of measurement that is still used (especially on Supplement Facts labels) is the International Unit, or IU. IUs aren't easily converted to RAE because the conversion depends on the type of vitamin A. For example, 900 mcg RAE could be anywhere from 3,000 to 36,100 IU of vitamin A.
What are the two forms of vitamin A?
There are two forms of vitamin A: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids. Preformed vitamin A (also called retinol) is used directly by the body and is found in animal products like eggs, milk, and liver.
What is the best source of vitamin A?
Fruits and vegetables (particularly orange and yellow ones and leafy greens), rich in beta-carotene, are the best sources of provitamin A. You're also likely to get a fair amount of preformed vitamin A from fortified milk and cereals.
Why is vitamin A important for women?
Vitamin A is particularly essential for women who are about to give birth because it helps with postpartum tissue repair. It also helps maintain normal vision, fights infections, supports your immune system, and helps with fat metabolism. There are two forms of vitamin A: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids.
How much vitamin A is in cereal?
one serving breakfast cereal, fortified with 10 percent of the daily value for vitamin A: 90 mcg RAE
What is the role of vitamin A in the body?
Vitamin A plays an important role in ocular function, as it is involved in cell differentiation, in the maintenance of eye integrity, and in the prevention of xerophthalmia. Its deficiency is the main cause of preventable blindness worldwide [ 4 ]. Vitamin A is also associated with bone development, has a protective effect on the skin and mucosa, plays a vital role in the functional capacity of reproductive organs, participates in strengthening the immune system, is related to the development and maintenance of epithelial tissue, and contributes to the development of normal teeth and hair [ 6, 7, 8 ]. In addition to its important role in various body tissues [ 6 ], vitamin A is essential to the normal development of the embryo [ 9 ].
Why is pregnancy considered a nutritionally important period?
Pregnancy represents a nutritionally crucial period, either because of previous deficiencies being reduced or aggravated by the gestational process, or because excesses and inadequacies of nutrients in the diet may produce specific nutritional disorders [ 40 ]. Thus, nutrients including vitamin A can interfere with the occurrence or worsening of previous or coexisting diseases during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the postpartum.
What is VAD in pregnancy?
The WHO defines VAD in pregnancy as serum retinol levels of <0.70 µmol/L, with the condition being considered a serious public health issue when the prevalence occurs in 20% or more of pregnant women; moderate when affecting between 10% and 20%; and mild when between 2% and 10% [ 4, 46, 47] ( Table 1 ). It is noteworthy that serum retinol levels should ideally be analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [ 48 ].
Why is VAD more common in the last quarter of pregnancy?
VAD is more frequent in the last quarter of pregnancy because of the physiological increase in maternal blood volume and accelerated fetal development in the final phase of pregnancy [ 41, 42 ]. Pregnant women may be more prone to developing VAD during periods in which there is a shortage of foods rich in vitamin A or in the presence of infections, diabetes mellitus, or gestational diabetes [ 43, 44, 45 ].
Is vitamin A good for pregnant women?
Vitamin A is a crucial micronutrient for pregnant women and their fetuses. In addition to being essential for morphological and functional development and for ocular integrity, vitamin A exerts systemic effects on several fetal organs and on the fetal skeleton. Vitamin A requirements during pregnancy are therefore greater. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world. VAD in pregnant women is a public health issue in most developing countries. In contrast, in some developed countries, excessive vitamin A intake during pregnancy can be a concern since, when in excess, this micronutrient may exert teratogenic effects in the first 60 days following conception. Routine prenatal vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality is not recommended; however, in regions where VAD is a public health issue, vitamin A supplementation is recommended to prevent night blindness. Given the importance of this topic and the lack of a complete, up-to-date review on vitamin A and pregnancy, an extensive review of the literature was conducted to identify conflicting or incomplete data on the topic as well as any gaps in existing data.
Is it safe to take vitamin A during pregnancy?
According to the 2013 WHO guideline [ 10 ], routine supplementation of vitamin A in the prenatal period to prevent maternal or perinatal morbidity and mortality is not recommended. However, in places where VAD is a public health issue, vitamin A supplementation in pregnant women is recommended to prevent night blindness [ 10 ].
When was vitamin A discovered?
Vitamin A was discovered 106 years ago [ 1] and has been recognized as a public health priority by the World Health Organization (WHO) for more than six decades [ 2 ]. Nevertheless, many aspects of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), such as its epidemiology, classification, and even its metabolism and pathophysiology, are still not fully understood. The aim of this review article, which focuses on the pregnant woman and her fetus as representing the most vulnerable group insofar as this problem is concerned [ 3, 4, 5 ], is to contribute towards clarifying these issues and identifying possible new alternatives regarding practical actions, including future research requirements.
What is the best way to get vitamin A for pregnancy?
The very best way to support your health in pregnancy and the health of your developing child is to eat a whole food pregnancy diet including the following foods high in vitamin A – carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, apricots, spinach, pumpkin and liver (animal and fish) like Cod Liver Oil, milk and eggs. Vitamin A is also found in a quality whole food fertility specific multivitamin like the Fertilica™ Fertile Woman One Daily.
What is the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for healthy women in pregnancy?
fetal development, especially of the bones, teeth, skin, and vision. Recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin A for healthy women in pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association, is 770 mcg/dL.
Why is it important to share that women of some cultures suffer from vitamin A deficiency?
Given that we work with women all over the world, it is important to share that women of some cultures suffer from vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency often leads to the development of xerophthalmia which is thickening of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye, as well as the inability to produce tears.
What is the best food for pregnancy?
The very best way to support your health in pregnancy and the health of your developing child is to eat a whole food pregnancy diet including the following foods high in vitamin A – carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, apricots, spinach, ...
Where does vitamin A come from?
The first is preformed vitamin A, known as retinol and retinyl ester, that comes from animal foods – dairy products, meat, and fish. The second is provitamin A carotenoids, the most common being beta-carotene (but also alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin) that comes from many orange, ...
Is vitamin A good for pregnancy?
Before we get to the answers to these questions, it is very important to know that Vitamin A is an antioxidant that is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Vitamin A is one of many nutrients that plays a critical role in: helping the body maintain homeostasis. prevention of anemia.
Can too much vitamin A cause birth defects?
While some studies have shown that consum ing too much vitamin A in pregnancy may cause congenital birth defects that include malformations of the eye, skull, lungs, and heart, these studies were performed using very high amounts of synthetic, water-soluble forms of vitamin A which is vitamin A from non-food sources.
Why is vitamin A important for infants?
Vitamin A is essential for optimal growth and development. In the developing world, vitamin A supplementation of the newborn infant reduces mortality. In the developed world, extremely preterm infants are born with low body stores of vitamin A and are at high risk of vitamin A deficiency. Optimal vitamin A supplementation for this population is not clearly defined, however, and, despite evidence of benefit, early vitamin A supplementation of extremely preterm infants is not uniformly practised in the United Kingdom. There is an urgent need for studies in preterm infants that include quantification of hepatic stores and functional assessment of vitamin A status as well as long term outcome.
How does vitamin A affect children?
Vitamin A is one of the most important micronutrients affecting the health of children. Recognised for nearly 90 years as an essential dietary constituent, it is necessary for orderly growth and differentiation of tissues. 1,2 In the developing world, vitamin A supplementation programmes significantly reduce infant mortality as well as the incidence of xerophthalmia, respiratory infection, and morbidity from gastrointestinal disease. 3–5 Supplementing newborn infants with vitamin A within 48 hours of birth reduces infant mortality by almost a quarter, with the greatest benefit to those of low birth weight. 6 The World Bank estimates that vitamin A supplementation is one of the most cost effective health interventions available. 7 In the developed world, most infants and children are vitamin A sufficient. Term infants are well supplied with vitamin A in utero (at the expense of maternal stores), and both human milk and infant formulae contain adequate amounts of vitamin A for normal growth and health in the first six months. 8 Clinical vitamin A deficiency occurs rarely, and almost exclusively in children with malabsorptive disorders.
What is the recommended vitamin A level for adults?
Vitamin A sufficiency in older children and adults is defined as plasma concentrations in the range 0.7–2.8 μmol/l. Plasma concentrations of retinol <0.35 μmol/l (100 μg/l) are associated with reduced hepatic stores, and clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency and are considered to indicate severe deficiency. 64–66 Milder biochemical deficiency in childhood, although not manifest as xerophthalmia, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. 43 Studies of vitamin A supplementation in the preterm infant population suggest that plasma retinol concentrations ⩾0.7 μmol/l indicate vitamin A sufficiency, 38,39 but these data were confounded by the use of postnatal steroids. Most even relatively healthy preterm infants have plasma retinol concentrations <0.7 μmol/l throughout their stay in the neonatal unit, and 20% of ELBW babies who have not received intramuscular vitamin A have plasma retinol concentrations <0.35 μmol/l at 28 days. 11,16,42,67 The significance for preterm infants, in terms of functional vitamin A status, of low plasma concentrations of vitamin A is not, however, clear.
What is the role of vitamin A in the lungs?
Vitamin A is required in the fetal lung for both cellular differentiation and surfactant synthesis. 23,24 In the rat, significant storage of vitamin A in the lungs occurs in the third trimester. These stores are rapidly depleted during late pregnancy and the early weeks of postnatal life as the lungs grow and develop. 25 Vitamin A and steroid hormones have similar effects on prenatal and postnatal lung development, operate through similar cell receptors, and may be interdependent. 23 The pathological changes of chronic lung disease are similar to those observed in vitamin A deficient experimental animals. 26–28 Plasma retinol concentrations were lower 11,29–31 and hepatic stores less 15,32,33 in preterm infants who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, supporting the hypothesis that vitamin A deficiency contributes to the development of chronic lung disease and/or respiratory tract infections in this population. 30,34 Observational and randomised studies of supplemental vitamin A produced conflicting results, attributable to a combination of factors, including small patient numbers, use of postnatal steroids, and variations in ventilatory management, baseline vitamin A status, and supplementation regimens. 35–41 Tyson et al42 showed that giving intramuscular vitamin A to ELBW infants from day 2 lowers the risk of chronic lung disease at 36 corrected weeks, as well as reducing biochemical evidence of vitamin A deficiency. Thus there is a small, but significant reduction in death or oxygen dependency by 1 month of age in preterm infants supplemented with intramuscular vitamin A. 12
What should be considered when assessing vitamin A status in preterm infants?
Clearly therefore assessment of vitamin A status in preterm infants should include consideration of body stores as well as (or perhaps instead of) circulating concentrations of retinol.
What is vitamin A?
The term vitamin A refers to a group of compounds, including retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinoic acid. Retinol may be obtained directly from foods of animal origin or be formed in the body from metabolism of β-carotene.
What is the second active metabolite of vitamin A?
In the retina, reversible oxidation of vitamin A produces a second active metabolite, retinaldehyde. Retinaldehyde is an essential constituent of the visual pigment rhodopsin, photoisomerisation of which induces a phototransduction cascade in response to light, the first stage in the process of vision. Download figure.
How does vitamin A affect reproduction?
Likewise, animal studies have suggested that vitamin A deficiency in females can impact reproduction by reducing egg quality and affecting egg implantation in the womb ( 33 ).
Why is vitamin A important?
Vitamin A is essential for preserving your eyesight. The vitamin is needed to convert light that hits your eye into an electrical signal that can be sent to your brain. In fact, one of the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency can be night blindness, known as nyctalopia ( 3. Trusted Source. ).
What vitamin is used to make you night blind?
Night blindness occurs in people with vitamin A deficiency, as the vitamin is a major component of the pigment rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is found in the retina of your eye and extremely sensitive to light.
What is the inactive form of provitamin A?
Provitamin A carotenoids — alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin — are the inactive form of the vitamin found in plants.
What are the nutrients that are needed to maintain healthy bones as you age?
The key nutrients needed for maintaining healthy bones as you age are protein, calcium and vitamin D.
What is the role of vitamin A in the body?
Vitamin A plays a vital role in maintaining your body’s natural defenses.
What is vitamin A?
Written by Helen West, RD on August 23, 2018. Vitamin A is the generic term for a group of fat-soluble compounds highly important for human health. They’re essential for many processes in your body, including maintaining healthy vision, ensuring the normal function of your immune system and organs and aiding the proper growth and development ...
What vitamins are good for newborns?
Most people get plenty from their diet, and prenatal vitamins usually contain vitamin B6. Benefits to your baby: Helps with metabolism of protein and carbohydrates and helps form new red blood cells as well as develop the brain and nervous system. Food sources: one medium baked potato with skin: 0.7 mg.
What vitamins are needed for pregnancy?
Thiamin. Vitamin A. Vitamin B6. Vitamin C. Vitamin D. Zinc. Note: Your diet can help you meet your daily requirement for most of these nutrients, but the recommended amount for some, such as folic acid and iron, is too high to be covered by diet alone. A supplement or your prenatal vitamin can help you make up the difference.
What happens if you take too much vitamin A?
Too much preformed vitamin A can cause birth defects and liver toxicity. Benefits to your baby: Important for the development of organs, bones, and eyes as well as the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Food sources: one baked sweet potato: 961 mcg RAE. 1 cup raw, chopped carrot: 534 mcg RAE.
Do prenatal vitamins contain manganese?
Most prenatal vitamins do not include manganese. advertisement | page continues below. Benefits to your baby: Helps form bones and cartilage, helps protect cells from damage, and activates enzymes that help metabolize carbohydrates, cholesterol, and amino acids.
How much mcg is needed for a pregnant woman?
Daily amount during pregnancy: 30 mcg for women age 19 and older, 29 mcg for women age 18 or younger
Do you need zinc supplements if you are vegetarian?
If you're not already getting enough in your diet, your prenatal vitamin will most likely provide all the zinc you need. But if you eat a mostly vegetarian diet, ask your provider if you also need a zinc supplement because it's harder to absorb the mineral from plant foods.
Do you need iron supplements during pregnancy?
Do you need an iron supplement? Yes, you need a prenatal vitamin or iron supplement to meet your daily requirement during pregnancy.
How many weeks pregnant can you get an abortion?
When considering your options, keep in mind that medical abortions are only recommended if you’re 10 weeks pregnant or less. Medical abortions generally involve two medications called mifepristone and misoprostol.
When can you have a surgical abortion?
Most don’t allow surgical abortions after 20 to 24 weeks, or the end of the second trimester. They’re usually only done after this point if the pregnancy poses a serious health risk.
Can you take vitamin C for abortion?
In terms of abortion home remedies, vitamin C is probably among the safest options. But this is only because it doesn’t do much of anything, and there’s no evidence that it will cause an abortion. Pregnant women regularly take vitamin C without any adverse consequences. Read on to learn more about where this remedy may have originated, ...
Can you get abortion pills from Women on Web?
If you can’t safely access a clinic, Women on Web mails abortion pills to people in countries with restrictive laws. You’ll need to have a quick consultation online to make sure you qualify. If you do, a doctor will provide a prescription and mail the pills to you so you can have a medical abortion at home. If you’re having trouble accessing the site, you can find a workaround here.
Can pregnant women take vitamin C?
Pregnant women regularly take vitamin C without any adverse consequences. Read on to learn more about where this remedy may have originated, the risks associated with it, and your options for a safe, effective abortion.
Is vitamin C good for menstruation?
It’s not reliable. There is no credible scientific information suggesting that vitamin C has any effect on pregnancy, implantation, or menstruation. The claims that it can cause an abortion possibly originated from a mistranslated Russian journal article from the 1960s. The article documented a handful of cases in which vitamin C led to abortion.
