Multivitamins for Pregnant Women are a Waste of Money, Study Says

Are pregnant women supposed to take tons of vitamin pills to ensure the health of their baby? A group of health experts have warned expecting mothers against the intake of multivitamins other than folic acid and vitamin D supplements as findings of a major study has revealed that a wide range of extra supplements are just a waste of money.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are heavily marketed to millions of soon-to-be mothers as pharmaceutical companies claimed these “guard against” several pregnancy and birth complications such as neural tube defects, low birthweight, skeletal deformities, pre-eclampsia and restricted feral growth. These supplements typically contain more vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, magnesium, iodone, iron, zince, copper, selenium as well as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, and E.

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The National Health Services (NHS) only recommends folic acid and Vitamin D as other supplements have shown no evidence of any obvious clinical benefit for well-nourished women.

“We found no evidence to recommend that all pregnant women should take prenatal multi-nutrient supplements beyond the nationally advised folic acid and vitamin D supplements, generic versions of which can be purchased relatively inexpensively,” said Dr. James Cave, Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin editor.

Dr. Cave suggests that pregnant women eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise instead of taking the unnecessary supplements.

What are foods pregnant women should’t eat?

When you’ve got a bun in the oven, you should be more mindful of what you’re consuming as you are actually eating for two people. There are foods that can harm both of you and your baby.

Here are some of the foods you need to avoid while you’re expecting, according to health.com.

  1. Raw milk and other raw dairy products
  2. Unpasteurized processed meats
  3. Prepared salads
  4. Unpasteurized juice
  5. Raw fish and undercooked meat
  6. Undercooked eggs
  7. Coffee
  8. High-mercury fish such as tilefish, shark, swordfish, king mackerel and canned albacore tuna
  9. Liver
  10. Alcohol
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