Not Just a Fish Tale – Vegan Prenatal Vitamins with DHA Exists
Pregnancy is a delicate time for a woman’s diet. When you throw a vegetarian or vegan diet in to the mix, things can get even trickier. But don’t think it can’t be done well with the right supplements – it can. It’s a matter of knowing which supplements are right for you.
If you’re looking to maintain your vegan or vegetarian diet while pregnant read on. Please note though, it’s not advisable to switch to a vegan or vegetarian diet while pregnant. If you’re wanting to become vegetarian or vegan, pregnancy isn’t the right time to do any major shifts in your diet.
To start, the main vitamins you want to make sure you are getting if you are not consuming animal products include: B12, iron and omega-3 fatty acids like DHA. Now, many assume that all vitamins are vegetarian if not vegan. But that’s not always the case – and we’re not just talking about the somewhat obvious DHA which is an omega-3 fatty acid often found in cold-water fish. Even supplements like Folic acid can have organ meat. So if you’re vegan or vegetarian, it’s important to know the sources of your supplements. What’s more, how the vitamins work together is also very important for vegans and vegetarians.
B12
This article does a great job of breaking down the vitamin issues with a vegan or vegetarian diet. It’s no secret that most vegetarians and vegans are deficient in vitamin B12, which can lead to fatigue, lethargy and weakness. These symptoms could be adding salt to the wound during pregnancy, so having the right supplement is crucial to enhancing both mom and baby’s life!
Most vegetarians and vegans are probably already aware that sea vegetables, nutritional yeast, soy products and breakfast cereals are good B-12 sources, however, some studies have indicated that the mother’s store of B-12 is unavailable to the fetus. So if you want to make sure that the baby is getting vitamin B-12, you need to make sure that you have a reliable daily intake of B-12.
FOLIC ACID
Another important component of prenatal vitamins include, folic acid, a water-soluble B vitamin. Folic acid is recommended during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Low levels of folic acid in early pregnancy have been associated with babies born with neural tube defects. While folate can often come from organ meat such as liver, there are several alternative, plant-based supplements that provide folate. Here’s a couple of great resources about folate and folic acid.
BIOTIN
Vitamin H is part of the B complex group of vitamins – often known as biotin. Biotin is critical for normal embryonic growth, which is why it is needed during pregnancy. All B vitamins help metabolize fats and protein and are necessary for healthy skin, hair, eyes and liver. Like all B vitamins, it is water-soluble and is not stored in the body. So again, it’s important to make sure you are getting a reliable daily intake of biotin. Click here and here to read more about Biotin.
DHA
You’ve probably been told that everyone should have omega-3 rich foods or supplements and that’s true – it’s good for your heart and your brain. But it’s also an especially important prenatal vitamin. DHA, is often sourced from cold-water fish, such as salmon. However, there are fish-free options out there for vegetarians and vegans. DHA is also found in seaweed, flax and other plant-based sources. Why is it important during pregnancy? Simply put, it helps the brain, eye and nervous systems develop as they should in embryos and infants. For instance, DHA is in breast milk and also added to some infant formulas. While we naturally make a little DHA, we need to also get them from our food or, as is the case in the Western world where most do not get enough in their diet, from supplements. Read more about DHA here.
So don’t lose hope that you can’t stay vegetarian or vegan when you become pregnant or if you’re trying to become pregnant. Here’s a great article about why you can be meat-less and have a healthy pregnancy. It’s just about keeping a good vegan or vegetarian diet, and getting the right supplement.
Our Prenatal Vitamin – Multi Revive Plus is 100 percent vegan including DHA. Our supplement is also 100 percent GMO free, has all natural ingredients (no artificial dyes, coloring or chemicals) and is made with all plant-based ingredients to enhance nutritional absorption.
I am considering having a baby this year so I started taking Revivify prenatal. It had been only a couple months and I had noticed my hair, eyelashes and nails are growing quicker and longer. You can really feel the product working!
Ashley S.
Revivify Customer: Pre-Natal Vitamin
