can you take prenatal vitamins and not be pregnant?
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You may be tempted to take prenatal vitamins because of unproven claims that they promote thicker hair and stronger nails. However, if you're not pregnant and not planning to become pregnant, high levels of certain nutrients over a long period of time may actually be more harmful than helpful.
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How long should you take prenatal vitamins for? It's best to take prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may suggest continuing to take prenatal vitamins after the baby is born — especially if you're breastfeeding.
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Therefore, taking folic acid if you're a woman and not pregnant helps ensure you have adequate levels of folate for a developing fetus before you find out you're pregnant. Additionally, research indicates folic acid may play a preventive role in autism, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Prenatal vitamins are specially designed multivitamins that deliver the extra amounts of nutrients needed during various stages of your baby's development. For example, they contain folic acid, which is important for baby's brain development in the earliest stages.
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It's best to take prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may suggest continuing to take prenatal vitamins after the baby is born — especially if you're breastfeeding.
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Doctors often recommend that women who are breastfeeding also continue taking prenatal vitamins after delivery. Prenatal vitamins can serve as a further supplement to lactating women who need plenty of nutrients to make breast milk.
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During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin each day that has 600 mcg of folic acid in it. Folic acid only works to prevent NTDs before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, you need 600 mcg of folic acid each day to help your baby grow and develop.
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“There is no evidence that prenatal vitamins do anything for hair, skin and nails.” She also adds, “If you are not expecting, and not planning a future pregnancy, the higher doses of certain vitamins and minerals in the prenatal pill could cause harm if used over a long period of time.
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A healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. But during pregnancy you might fall short on key nutrients. If you're pregnant or hoping to conceive, prenatal vitamins can help fill any gaps.
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It's always a good idea to supplement your diet with a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy. These are typically high in folate, a very important nutrient found in tomatoes.
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Prenatal vitamins are particularly important for these women. Doctors often recommend that women who are breastfeeding also continue taking prenatal vitamins after delivery. Prenatal vitamins can serve as a further supplement to lactating women who need plenty of nutrients to make breast milk.
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The latest research on taking vitamin C while pregnant is mixed and limited, and the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend adding an additional vitamin C supplement to your prenatal.
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Prenatal vitamins are specific to the needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women. They're geared to make up the common nutritional deficiencies a pregnant woman could have. But they aren't really intended for women (or men) who aren't expecting or lactating.
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Taking a prenatal vitamin is perfectly healthy for someone not looking to conceive. While it won't support fertility, it will replenish folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and calcium stores in the body. This can help keep you strong and prevent potential health complications in an unexpected pregnancy.
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That's where prenatal vitamins come in. Unlike a regular multivitamin, prenatals are packed with all-important nutrients that you and your baby need right now — including, most importantly, folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida.
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The first few weeks of pregnancy are a really important time for fetal health and development. Taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins can help reduce the risk of some birth defects. Keep taking prenatal vitamins throughout your entire pregnancy.
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It's also a good idea during pregnancy to take a prenatal vitamin to help cover any nutritional gaps in the mother's diet. Prenatal vitamins contain many vitamins and minerals. Their folic acid, iron, iodine, and calcium are especially important.