October 28, 2016

Special dietary needs can be the result of food allergies, food intolerances, as well as religious or cultural beliefs. In the cases of food allergies, the body mistakenly detects an ingested substance as foreign and mounts an attack to rid the body of it. But unfortunately with food allergies, the body does not know when to stop, creating an allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

A food intolerance is a sensitivity to the chemicals found in food. The chemicals can be naturally occurring or synthetic. In some instances small amounts of the substance may be tolerated. With both food allergies and food intolerance, special dietary considerations must be observed. Two of the most common triggers for food allergies and intolerances are gluten and lactose.

Gluten-Free Prenatal Vitamins

Nearly 3 million people in the United States have a sensitivity to gluten. Gluten is a
protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Gluten sensitivity ranges from gluten intolerance to gluten allergies to celiac disease. The most serious cases of gluten sensitivity are in people who have full-blown celiac disease, a potentially damaging autoimmune disorder. People who are sensitive to gluten experience bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and even skin rashes. Unfortunately there is no cure for gluten sensitivity or intolerance. The primary treatment is to alter the diet to exclude gluten.

Gluten-sensitive women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant need prenatal vitamins that fit their special dietary needs. Every product in the Prenate^® Vitamin Family is gluten-free, which means they fit the pregnancy and dietary needs of mothers who should not consume gluten.

Lactose-Free Prenatal Vitamins

Lactose intolerance is common in adults and usually develops in the teen or adult years. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body is not able to break down lactose. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, cramps, gas, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. Lactose-sensitive women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant need prenatal vitamins that fit their special dietary needs. Every product in the Prenate^® Vitamin Family is lactose-free.

For women who have a lactose intolerance, making sure they get enough calcium is a major concern. Because they must limit or avoid dairy, many cannot obtain enough calcium from their diets alone. Many products in the Prenate^® Vitamin Family contain calcium, and some contain FormiCal^®, a highly bioavailable form of calcium. FormiCal^® is a patented form of calcium formate that is gentle on the gastrointestinal tract.¹ It is absorbed more rapidly, more efficiently, and to a greater extent than calcium citrate and calcium carbonate (common forms of calcium in over-the-counter prenatal vitamins).¹ With the Prenate^® prenatal vitamins , women who have a lactose intolerance are able to find a prenatal vitamin that fits their pregnancy and dietary needs.

Prescription Prenatal Vitamins for Special Diets

Prenate^® is committed to providing nutritional support for mothers and babies. With products designed with the patient in mind, Prenate^® offers a line of prescription prenatal vitamins for the stages and special needs of each pregnancy. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate^® vitamins may be right for you to help fill nutritional gaps.