During pregnancy, it is important for you and your baby, that you eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Taking vitamins during pregnancy may help you maintain a nutritious environment in which your baby can flourish. Prenatal supplements should be taken under your doctor's supervision. They usually contain combinations of zinc, folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6, D, E and vitamin C.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is necessary for the making of collagen, an important component in the structure of your bones, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels. It is also an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, molecules that can cause damage to our cells. Vitamin C is vital in making norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter involved in the functioning of the brain. Vitamin C may also help decrease high blood pressure and helps you absorb calcium.
Pre-Eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia, also called toxemia, is high blood pressure brought on by pregnancy. During pre-eclampsia, your blood pressure increases, you retain water and protein is spilled into your urine. These conditions may jeopardize you and your baby. Why pre-eclampsia occurs is still unknown. Risk factors are: first-time pregnancies; a family history of pre-eclampsia; multiple births; and previous hypertension or kidney disease. Because vitamin C may reduce high blood pressure, studies involving vitamin C and pre-eclampsia have been conducted, but with little success. A 2006 article in the professional journal "The Lancet" involving over 2,400 women, concluded that vitamin C does not prevent pre-eclampsia.
Is Extra Vitamin C Necessary?
Some vitamin C is necessary to maintain your health and a healthy pregnancy. The best way to ensure you are getting enough vitamin C is through your diet. If your physician feels you are not getting enough vitamin C, or any other nutrient, he will prescribe the appropriate prenatal supplement. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C during pregnancy is 85 mg per day. Food sources include oranges, grapefruits, potatoes, broccoli and tomatoes.
Vitamin C Toxicity
Taking a prenatal vitamin and an additional separate vitamin C supplement is not advised, warns the American Pregnancy Association. High doses may lead to toxic adverse effects. Doses up to 10 g per day of vitamin C may cause erosion of tooth enamel, vitamin B-12 deficiency, increased iron absorption, kidney stones and birth defects. Vitamin C may also cause gastrointestinal upsets. Only take the vitamins and minerals your doctor prescribes.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Essential Nutrients & Vitamins for Pregnancy
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C
- American Pregnancy Association: Pre-eclampsia or Toxemia : Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH)
- "The Lancet"; Vitamin C and Vitamin E in Pregnant Women at Risk for Pre-eclampsia (VIP Trial): Randomised Placebo-controlled Trial; L Poston, et al.; March 2006
- American Pregnancy Association: Prenatal Vitamins
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