March 17, 2015

Vitamin D is a nutrient we all need every day. Children, teens, adults and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need vitamin D. It’s so vital many foods are actually fortified with vitamin D. In this month’s Vitamin Spotlight we’ll examine the benefits of vitamin D as well as discuss the daily requirements.

How Much Vitamin D Do I Need?

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the daily recommended values depend on age, sex and if you are pregnant or lactating. The chart below details the values for each category.¹ For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding 600 IU (15 mcg) of vitamin D is recommended daily. ¹ Vitamin D deficiency is common during pregnancy, epically among moms with limited sun exposure, high use of sunscreen, darker skin and vegetarians.^2-4 The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests an even greater intake above 600 IU may be beneficial. ^2-4

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for before conception and throughout pregnancy. One of the primary functions of vitamin D is its role in maintaining and building bone mineralization. For pregnant women this benefit is yielded to mom and baby. However, vitamin D is not just about building and maintaining healthy bones. During pregnancy ample vitamin D supplies may help reduce the risk of Pre-eclampsia and Gestational Diabetes. ⁵

How Do I Ensure I’m Getting Enough Vitamin D?

A well balanced diet is a great way to ensure you’re meeting your daily vitamin D intake. Some foods, like swordfish, tuna and mackerel, contain high amount of vitamin D naturally. However, most vitamin D is consumed in foods that are vitamin D fortified. Below are some foods fortified with vitamin D and the amount you’d need each day to reach the daily recommended intake.

1 cup of milk contains 124 IU of vitamin D

6 ounces of yogurt contains 80 IU of vitamin D

1 ounce of swiss cheese contains 6 IU of vitamin D

Prenatal Vitamins with Vitamin D

While eating a balanced diet is always recommended, healthy eating is not always enough. Typically women do not consume enough vitamin D in their regular diets. One good way to ensure that you and your baby are getting enough vitamin D is by supplementing with a vitamin from the Prenate^® Vitamin Family. These prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of women who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. Ask your doctor which Prenate^® vitamin is right for you. Click on the product name below to learn more about the benefits of the prenatal vitamins with vitamin D or to download special savings coupons:

• Prenate^® Pixie – A small, easy-to-swallow softgel with complete prenatal nutrition support, including 350 mg of DHA
• Prenate Mini^® – A Robust Rx prenatal vitamin with 11 concentrated nutrients including DHA in a tiny softgel
• Prenate^® Enhance – Advanced prenatal softgel vitamin with 400 mg DHA – the highest level among leading Rx brands − plus highly absorbable forms of folate, 1,000 IU vitamin D3, Formical® calcium, and more
• Prenate^® Restore – A softgel vitamin specially designed for the needs of breastfeeding mothers and babies that includes probiotics and DHA to help restore and support GI and immune health 
• Prenate^® Chewable – Dutch chocolate flavor chewable prenatal vitamin including high levels of calcium, vitamin D3, 1 mg folate and no vitamin aftertaste
• Prenate DHA^® – A prenatal vitamin containing 10 vitamins and minerals including 300 mg DHA, 1 mg folate, calcium, vitamin D3 and iron
• Prenate Elite^® – A prenatal vitamin containing 17 vitamins and minerals including 1 mg folate, calcium, vitamin D3 and iron
• Prenate Essential^® – A prenatal vitamin containing 13 vitamins and minerals including 300 mg DHA, 40 mg of EPA, 1 mg folate, calcium, vitamin D3 and iron

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