Getting all of your vitamins and minerals each day is essential while trying to conceive and throughout your pregnancy. Vitamin A is a term for a series of compounds, such as lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene, that you need for normal reproduction and fetal growth. Since vitamin A can be toxic at high levels, talk with your doctor if you decide to take it as a supplement.
Functions and Dosage
Vitamin A plays important roles in normal cell growth during reproduction. This vitamin aids in cell differentiation, determining which type of cell it will become, as well as cell division during reproduction. Since you might not be aware of a pregnancy right away, getting adequate vitamin A in your diet is essential for these normal reproductive processes. While trying to conceive, you need 700 mcg, or 2,310 IU, of vitamin A daily. During pregnancy, your vitamin A intake needs increase to 770 mcg, or 2,565 IU, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. Eating plenty of milk, cheese, eggs, spinach, carrots and apricots helps you get all of the vitamin A compounds in your diet.
Toxicity
Excessive vitamin A can be harmful while trying to conceive and during early pregnancy because it can lead to birth defects. Taking a large dose causes acute toxicity in some people, leading to vomiting, dizziness and poor muscle coordination. The maximum amount of vitamin A you should consume in one day is 2,800 mcg, which is equal to 9,240 IU.
Benefits for Conception
Researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia published a study in the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" journal in 2011 evaluating the benefits of vitamin supplements for miscarriage prevention. According to the study, getting inadequate vitamin intake is linked to an increased risk of having a miscarriage. Researchers noted that taking vitamin supplements prior to conception does not necessarily help you avoid having a miscarriage but can improve your chances of getting pregnant. While vitamin supplements might improve your chances of conceiving, researchers stated that there is not enough evidence to say which combinations or doses of vitamins are most beneficial.
IVF
If you are undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments, or IVF, taking multivitamins containing vitamin A might be beneficial. Research conducted at Suleyman Demirel University in Turkey and published in the "Fertility and Sterility" journal in 2010 looked into potential benefits of certain supplements with IVF. Taking vitamin A, E and C, all of which are antioxidants, can relieve oxidative stress in your body. Antioxidants work by getting rid of free radicals in your system that increase inflammation, damage healthy cells and boost your risk of chronic illness. Adding a vitamin A supplement to your diet might improve your antioxidant defense system, keeping you healthy so your IVF treatments can be more effective.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin A and Carotenoids
- "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews"; Vitamin Supplementation for Preventing Miscarriage.; A. Rumbold, et al.; January 2011
- "Fertility and Sterility"; Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation Modulates Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Vitamin Levels in Serum and Follicular Fluid of Women Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization.; M.O. Ozkaya, M. Naziroglu.; November 2010
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