Jun 4

Mothers Taking Probiotics During Pregnancy May Reduce Obesity In Children

A recent study found that taking probiotics during pregnancy may lead to a reduction in gestational diabetes and reduce the risk of obesity later during a child’s life. The development of high blood sugar during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes, and is linked to the development of Type-2 Diabetes later in life, as well as putting the offspring at an increased risk of obesity and diabetes later in life.

Researchers are reporting that probiotic supplements may reduce the frequency of gestational diabetes by as much as 20 percent according to information published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Fewer Births of Over Sized Babies

Researchers found that in addition to lowering gestational diabetes that probiotics may also help reduce the mothers from having larger sized babies. In the study they found that the health benefits from the mother and babies may be do towards the balanced maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation and by promoting healthy gut micro biota in the mother and the child.

Reducing Childhood Obesity

In light of the fact that birth size is a risk marker for childhood obesity, reduction in larger sized babies may be an important factor in reducing childhood obesity.

This study may add weight to the argument that the continuing problem of obesity in Western Lifestyles may be modifiable. Based on these findings, prenatal dietary measures combined with probiotics could provide a safe and cost effective tool in reducing the obesity epidemic.

Study Findings

At the end of the 24 month study, the researchers found that the frequency of gestational diabetes was reduced in the group taking probiotics (13 per cent), compared to the diet-placebo group (36 per cent) and the control group (34 per cent). In the few women affected by gestational diabetes, the dietary intervention was found to independently diminish the risk of larger birth size in the infants.

In addition, no adverse events were reported to the mother or child, and no effects on the duration of pregnancies were recorded.

Jun 3

Is Gesticare DHA the Right Prenatal Vitamin For You?

Gesticare is a prescription medication that includes a tablet and a DHA gelatin capsule. The reasoning behind having two different pills is to avoid interference of calcium and iron absorption. It does this by having the pills absorb into different parts of your intestines. The problem with this is, needing to take two separate pills which might make some people unhappy. The good thing is that you only have to take these pills once a day.

Ingredients in Gesticare DHA

Vitamin B1, Thiamin Mononitrate – 3.0 mg, Vitamin B2, Riboflavin Universal – 3.0 mg, Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine HCl – 50.0 mg, Vitamin B12, Cyanocobalamin – 8.0 ?g, Vitamin C, Ascorbic acid – 120.0 mg, Niacin, Niacinamide – 20.0 mg, Folic acid – 1.0 mg, Iron, Ferrous Fumarate – 28.0 mg, Calcium, Calcium Carbonate – 200.0 mg, Vitamin D, Vitamin D3 – 420.0 IU, Vitamin E, Vitamin E 500 – 30.0 IU, Iodine, Potassium Iodide – 150.0 ?g, Zinc, Zinc Oxide – 15.0 mg, Choline, Choline Bitartrate – 55.0 mg, and 250mg of DHA.

Other Ingredients: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose silicified microcrystalline cellulose, citric acid, triethyl citrate, polysorbate 80, glycerol monostearate, methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer dispersion, polyacrylate dispersion, talc, maltodextrin, dextrose monohydrate, polydextrose, medium chain triglycerides, allula red AC aluminum lake, indigo carmine aluminum lake and purified stearic acid.

Essential Ingredients to Look For In a Prenatal Vitamin

When looking into prenatal vitamins there are a few important ingredients to make sure that your prenatal vitamin has. Important ingredients to look for are CoQ10, Ginger, Probiotics, at least (400mcg) of Folate but preferably (800-1000mcg), Vitamin B6 (25-50mg), Calcium (750mg) or more, and (50mg-200mg) of DHA is a must. Choline and Insitol are nice additions and I strongly recommend them. Capsules, softgels, and liquids are better to take than tablets which are harder to swallow and harder to absorb.

I focus on these ingredients because many prenatal vitamins do not contain these ingredients or do not have the right amounts of these ingredients. There are other important ingredients found in prenatal vitamins, but most prenatal vitamins contains those ingredients.

Essential Ingredients Found in Gesticare DHA

Gesticare DHA has a good amount of quality ingredients. Some of the essential ingredients found in Gesticare DHA are calcium, Vitamin B6, Choline, and DHA.  The amount of Calcium found in Gesticare DHA is a little low but the other ingredients contain the right percentages. You should look for a Prenatal Vitamin that contains at least 750mg of calcium . If your prenatal vitamin does not contain 750mg of calcium you may want to buy a separate calcium supplement.

Essential Ingredients Not Found in Gesticare DHA

The ingredients that I would have liked to have seen in Gesticare DHA are Inositol, Probiotics, Ginger, and CoQ10. These ingredients help cover things from morning sickness to brain development. The reason many of these ingredients are not found in very many Prenatal Vitamin supplements is due to how new the research is that has shown their effectiveness.

Overall Rating of Gesticare DHA

Gesticare overall is not all that bad of a prenatal vitamin. I would have liked to see a few more ingredients in this product and that is why it is not one of the top prenatal vitamins on my list. As far as side effects from Gesticare they should be similar to most other prenatal vitamins such as nausea and upset stomach. Some of the newer High quality vitamins help with this.

Jun 3

Stuart Prenatal Vitamin

Stuart Prenatal is said to be specially made for the different stages of motherhood: pre-conception, conception, and lactation. Stuart Prenatal is not a prescription medication and is made by Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc. Stuart Prenatal Vitamins come in tablet form and are to be taken once a day. Let’s take a look at the ingredients in Stuart Prenatal to see how this product measures up.

Ingredients Contained In Stuart Prenatal Vitamins

Vitamin A 4000 I.U, Vitamin C 120 mg, Vitamin D 400 I.U., Vitamin E 30 mg (acetate), Thiamin (B1) 1.8 mg, Riboflavin (B2) 1.7 mg, Niacin 20 mg, Vitamin B6 2.6 mg, Folic Acid 800 mcg, Vitamin B12 8 mcg, Calcium 200 mg, Iron 28 mg, and Zinc 25 mg

Other Ingredients: Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Gelatin, Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Acacia, Croscarmellose Sodium, Titanium Dioxide, Corn Starch, Magnesium Stearate, Sucrose, Polyethylene Glycol, Pyridoxine HCI, Beta Carotene, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Silicon Dioxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbate.

Essential Ingredients to Look For In a Prenatal Vitamin

When looking into prenatal vitamins there are a few important ingredients to make sure that your prenatal vitamin has. Important ingredients to look at are CoQ10, Ginger, Probiotics, at least (400mcg) of Folate but preferably (800-1000mcg), Vitamin B6 (25-50mg), Calcium (750mg) or more, and (50mg-200mg) of DHA is a must. Choline and Insitol are nice additions and I strongly recommend them. Capsules, softgels, and liquids are better to take than tablets which are harder to swallow and harder to absorb.

Essential Vitamins Found In Stuart Prenatal Vitamin

Stuart Prenatal Vitamin contains 800mcg of Folic Acid which is one of the first things to look for in a prenatal vitamin. Also found in Stuart Prenatal Vitamin, Calcium, and Vitamin B6. The problem with the Calcium and the Vitamin B6 is that the percentages contained in this supplement are insufficient. I would look for products that contain 750mg of Calcium and 25-50mg of Vitamin B6.

Essential Vitamins and Minerals Not Found In Stuart Prenatal Vitamin

Stuart Prenatal Vitamin is missing a number of key ingredients that you would find in a top notch prenatal vitamin. Ingredients that I would have like to have seen included in this product are DHA, Choline, Ginger, Probiotics, and Inositol. All of these ingredients can help significantly during a pregnancy. Stuart Prenatal also comes in Tablet form which makes it harder to absorb the vitamins and minerals into your body.

Overall Rating of Stuart Prenatal Vitamin

Stuart is missing out on a number of important ingredients in its prenatal supplement and for that I would rate it in I the lower than average category. Stuart Prenatal is also in tablet form which I do not like because of absorption issues. Overall I would recommend doing some more research before buying Stuart Prenatal. A product that contains all of the new key ingredients is what you should look for.

Jun 3

New Chapter Organic Perfect Prenatal Vitamins

New Chapter is a non-prescription prenatal vitamin that is said to be all organic. New chapter focuses on the fact that there prenatal vitamin contains probiotics which has found to be beneficial when taking prenatal vitamins. New Chapter contains 23 vitamins and minerals as well as 13 herbs to help provide the nutrition needed during pregnancy. New Chapter Organic comes in tablet form and is to be taken 3 times per day.

Ingredients Found in New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamin

Vitamin A (100% as beta-carotene) 2000 IU, 40% Vitamin C 60 mg, 100% Vitamin D 400 IU, 100% Vitamin E 30 IU, 100% Vitamin K 50 mcg, 63% Thiamin-Vitamin B1 1.5 mg, 100% Riboflavin-Vitamin B2 1.7 mg, 100% Niacin 20 mg, 100% Vitamin B6 2 mg, 100% Folate 800 mcg, 200% Vitamin B12 6 mcg, 100% Biotin 300 mcg, 100% Pantothenic Acid 10 mg, 100% Calcium 30 mg, 3% Iron 18 mg, 100% Iodine 150 mcg, 100% Magnesium10 mg, 2.5% Zinc 7.5 mg, 50% Selenium 50 mcg, 71% Copper 500 mcg, 25% Manganese 2 mg, 100% Chromium 50 mcg, 42% Molybdenum 75 mcg, 100% Mixed Carotenoids 1 mg. Mixed Carotenoids 2000 IU, Organic Cultured Herbal Extracts (Proprietary Blend) [Brown rice, Oats, Blueberries (fruit), Prunes (fruit), Blackberries (fruit), Flame Raisins (fruit), Kale (leaf), Spinach (leaf), Raspberries (fruit), Dandelion (leaf), Rose Hips (fruit), Lavender (flower), Lemon Balm (leaf), Peppermint (leaf), Cloves (bud), L.casei, L.plantarum, L.salivarius, L.acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, S. thermophilus, B. bifidum, B. infantis, B. longum, and B. breve 120 mg, Broccolive® Plus (sprouted seeds) (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Daikon Radish, Cabbage, and Mustard) 100 mg, Superfoods (Proprietary Blend) Cultured Organic Milled Soy 600 mg, Soy Lecithin (non-GMO)           12 mg

Other ingredients: Organic gum acacia, silica, organic pre-gelatinized maize starch, lac resin, and carnauba wax

Essential Ingredients Found In New Chapters Prenatal Vitamin

One thing that I like about New Chapters prenatal vitamin is that it contains Probiotics. Probiotics have shown to increase fertility and lower the rate of spontaneous miscarriage in the first trimester. Probiotics have also been proven to reduce the incidence of eczema in early childhood by 50%. One of the most important ingredients found in New Chapters Prenatal Vitamin is Folate  and it contains 800mcg of it which is good. Vitamin B6 is another essential vitamin found in New Chapter but it is only at 2mg which is an insignificant amount, 25-50mg would be good. Calcium is also found in this supplement but it contains 30mg when it should really contain at least 750mg.

Essential Ingredients Missing In New Chapters Prenatal Vitamin

New Chapters Organic Perfect Prenatal Vitamin I would say is far from perfect. Don’t get me wrong I know there are a lot of good things found in this product but it definitely is not perfect. New Chapters Prenatal Vitamin is also missing ginger, in which I was surprised because it contains just about everything else. I also did not see Choline or Insitol in this product. DHA is also an essential vitamin that is not found in New Chapters Perfect Prenatal Vitamin. Also, as mentioned above many of the essential vitamins found in New Chapters Perfect Prenatal Vitamin are not at the needed amounts.

Overall Rating of New Chapters Perfect Organic Prenatal Vitamin

This product is rated at the lower end of my list of prenatal vitamins. This prenatal supplement is missing several important ingredients needed during pregnancy. New Chapters Perfect Prenatal Vitamin also comes in tablet form which is hard to swallow and does not absorb as well in the stomach when compared to other forms. There are some good things found in this product but not enough for me to recommend this product.

Jun 3

Prenate DHA prenatal vitamins

Prenate DHA is a prescription prenatal vitamin that comes in a softgel and is to be takin once a day. Prenate DHA contains a number of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids needed during pregnancy to help both you and your baby during pregnancy. Prenate DHA can also be beneficial prior to conception by increasing nutritional levels in the body. Although, Prenate DHA contains a number of important prenatal vitamins it is also missing out on some of the newer ingredients that have been found to be beneficial during pregnancy.

Prenate DHA Ingredients

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – 85 mg, Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) – 200 IU, Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate) – 10 IU, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine HCl) – 25 mg, Folate – (L-methylfolate as Metafolin® 600 mcg), (folic acid, USP 400 mcg) – 1 mg, Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) – 12 mcg, Calcium (calcium carbonate, USP) – 150 mg, Iron (ferrous fumarate) – 27 mg, Magnesium (magnesium oxide, USP) – 50 mg, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) – (from 365 mg omega-3 fatty acids)

OTHER INGREDIENTS – Soy lecithin, beeswax, Fish oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, gelatin, sorbitol, glycerin, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide, vanillin, FD&C blue No.1, hypromellose.

Essential Ingredients to Look For In a Prenatal Vitamin

When looking into prenatal vitamins there are a few important ingredients to make sure that your prenatal vitamin includes. Important ingredients to look at are CoQ10, Ginger, Probiotics, at least (400mcg) of Folate but preferably (800-1000mcg), Vitamin B6 (25-50mg), Calcium (750mg) or more, and (50mg-200mg) of DHA is a must. Choline and Insitol are nice additions and I strongly recommend them. Remember capsules, softgels, and liquids are better to take than tablets which are harder to swallow and harder to absorb.

Essential Ingredients Found in Prenate DHA

Prenate DHA contains Folate at 600mcg which is good, but I would like to see a little bit more such as 800mcg. Vitamin B6 is at a good level. The Calcium in Prenate DHA is not enough, it should be at least 750mg. DHA is an essential ingredient but I would look for just 50-200mg of DHA to avoid over supplementation. Another good thing about Prenate DHA is that it comes in a softgel which is easier to swallow and easier for the body to absorb.

Essential Ingredients Not Found In Prenate DHA

Prenate DHA is missing out on a few vitamins and minerals that have been shown to help out during pregnancy. Prenate DHA does not contain Ginger which has shown to be helpful to reduce morning sickness. There are no Probiotics found in Prenate DHA which which in studies have shown to increase fertility and lower the rate of spontaneous miscarriage in the first trimester. Probiotics have also been proven to reduce the incidence of eczema in early childhood by 50%. Prenate DHA is also missing CoQ10 which has shown to significantly reduce the rate of preeclampsia. Also missing is Choline and Inositol. Inositol has been proven to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects and a study has shown that choline supplementation in pregnant women could help a child’s lifelong learning and memory by increasing brain cell development.

Overall Rating of Prenate DHA

Prenate DHA contains most of the necessary vitamins needed during pregnancy and it also comes in a softgel which is good, but it is missing out on some essential vitamins minerals and probiotics. Overall I would rate Prenate DHA as slightly above average because it contains DHA and many other important ingredients, but it still could do better.

Jun 3

Prenate Elite Prenatal Vitamins

Prenate Elite is a prenatal vitamin that is only available by prescription. This prenatal vitamin contains a variety of vitamins and minerals to help reduce risks for both the mother and child during pregnancy. Just like any other prenatal vitamin Prenate Elite contains one of the most important nutrients to be taken during pregnancy, Folic Acid. Folic acid is an important nutrient that can help prevent certain birth defects, most importantly Spina Bifida. Prenate Elite contains a number of important prenatal vitamins that you need to take when pregnant but at the same time is missing out on some important ones. Let’s take a look at what is contained in Prenate Elite Prenatal Vitamin.

Minerals and Vitamins Found in Prenate Elite

Vitamin A (100% as beta-carotene) 2500 IU, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 120 mg, Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 400 IU, Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate) 10 IU, Vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate) 3 mg, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 3.4 mg, Niacinamide, USP 20 mg, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine HCl) 20 mg, Folate (L-methylfolate as Metafolin® 600 mcg), (folic acid, USP 400 mcg) 1 mg, Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 12 mcg, Biotin 300 mcg, Pantothenic acid (calcium pantothenate, USP) 6 mg, Calcium (calcium carbonate) 120 mg, Iron (ferrous fumarate) 27 mg, Iodine (potassium iodide) 150 mcg, Magnesium (magnesium oxide, USP) 30 mg, Zinc (zinc oxide, USP) 15 mg, Copper (cupric oxide)

Key Ingredients to Look For In a Top Notch Prenatal Vitamin

When looking into prenatal vitamins there are a few important ingredients to make sure that your prenatal has. Important ingredients to look at are CoQ10, Ginger, Probiotics, at least 400mcg of Folate but preferably 800-1000mcg, Vitamin B6 25-50mg, Calcium at least 750mg, and 50mg-200mg of DHA is a must. Choline and Insitol are nice additions and I would strongly recommend them. Remember capsules, softgels, and liquids are better to take than tablets which are harder to swallow and harder to absorb. Let’s look at how many of these ingredients are found in Prenate Elite.

Key Ingredients Found in Prenate Elite Prenatal Vitamin

Some of the key ingredients found in Prenate Elite are Folate (600mcg), Vitamin B6 (20mg), and Calcium (120mg). The Folate amount found in Prenate Elite is a little low. I would like to see a little more such as (800-1000mcg). As for the Vitamin B6 level its more than most but I still would like to see (25-50mg). For the Calcium levels I feel Prenate Elite is way low on that, it should be at least (750mg).

Important Ingredients That Are Not Found in Prenate Elite

Prenate Elite is missing out on a few vitamins and minerals that have been shown to help out during pregnancy. First off, Prenate Elite is missing Ginger which has shown to be highly helpful in nausea to help out with morning sickness. Second there are no Probiotics found in the product which may help increase fertility and lower the rate of spontaneous miscarriage in the first trimester. Probiotics have also been proven to reduce the incidence of eczema in early childhood by 50%. Prenate Elite is also missing CoQ10 which has shown to significantly reduce the rate of preeclampsia. Prenate Elite is also missing out on Choline and Inositol. Inositol has been proven to help further reduce the risk of neural tube defects. In a recent study choline supplementation in pregnant women has shown to possibly affect children’s lifelong learning and memory by increasing brain cell development. Another problem with Prenate Elite is that it comes in Tablet form which has shown in studies to be harder to swallow and absorb.

Overall Rating of Prenate Elite Prenatal Vitamin

Prenate Elite would be rated on my list as an average prenatal vitamin. That being said, I believe that Prenate Elite contains a number of important vitamins and minerals that will definitely help out during pregnancy. Overall Prenate Elite could use a few more vitamins and minerals that have shown in recent studies to help with development and health during pregnancy.

Jun 3

Are One A Day Plus DHA Prenatal Vitamins A Good Supplement?

Taking a prenatal vitamin is one of those most important things you can do for your baby during pregnancy. This said, choosing which prenatal to take is a big decision. One A Day offers a variety of multi-vitamin supplements for men and women, but does their Prenatal formula contain everything it needs?

One A Day Plus DHA Prenatal Vitamins Ingredients Overview

One A Day Plus DHA does contain important ingredients needed during pregnancy. However, some of these ingredients either aren’t in quality forms or don’t contain high enough dosage amounts.

Take calcium for example, One A Day Plus DHA Prenatal only contains 23% of your recommended daily value. I would like to see it contain more than 50% of the recommended daily value. Calcium is not only critical for your developing baby, but its important to keep your bones healthy and strong. Often times if there isn’t enough calcium coming from your diet or vitamins, your body will leach the calcium from your bones for the baby. This is why so many women often experience a lot of tooth decay during pregnancy.

One a Day Plus DHA does contain a stool softener, I would rather see probiotics to help with constipation caused by pregnancy. Your body can become dependant on stool softeners. Probiotics not only naturally help constipation, they also boost your immune system.

Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate , Cellulose , Ferrous Fumarate , Magnesium Oxide , Ascorbic Acid , Dicalcium Phosphate , Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate , Croscarmellose Sodium , Maltodextrin , Niacinamide , Gelatin , Acacia , Polyvinyl Alcohol , Zinc Oxide , D-Calcium Pantothenate , Corn Starch , Titanium Dioxide , Polyethylene Glycol , Magnesium Stearate , Talc , Cupric Sulfate , Silicon Dioxide , Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Calcium Silicate , Riboflavin , Thiamin Mononitrate , Hypromellose , Beta-Carotene , FD&C Red No. 40 Lake , Folic Acid , Vitamin A Acetate , Potassium Iodide , Cholecalciferol , Cyanocobalamin , Marine Lipid Concentrate , Gelatin , Glycerin , Methacrylic Acid Copolymer , Propylene Glycol , Glyceryl Monostearate , Triethyl Citrate , Triacetin , Soy Lecithin

One A Day Plus DHA Prenatal Vitamins Concerns

I don’t like that this prenatal vitamin comes as a tablet. Tablets are hard to swallow, and aren’t absorbed nearly as well as capsules. Another concern I have is, One a Day Plus DHA contains FD&C Red No. 40 Lake, this synthetic dye is a ridiculous ingredient for a prenatal vitamin to contain. Honestly, who cares if your vitamin is pink? Exposing your baby daily to an unnecessary, unnatural dye is not a good idea. Also, there are some other questionable ingredients, like talc. Why would talc be in a prenatal vitamin?

How Much Are One A Day Plus DHA Prenatal Vitamins?

This prenatal vitamin is around $15.00 for a month supply, and can be found over the counter at most retail stores. This is affordable, but in my opinion high quality ingredients should be the highest priority when it comes to choosing a prenatal vitamin.

One A Day Plus DHA Prenatal Vitamins Conclusion

After researching this prenatal vitamin, I just don’t feel good about recommending it. It contains questionable ingredients, and low concentrations of important vitamins and minerals. Even though its affordable, One A Day Plus DHA Prenatal, is not the prenatal vitamin I would choose. I would look for something more affordable, with double the amount of calcium, and no synthetic dyes.

Jun 3

Duet DHA EC Prenatal Vitamin

Duet DHA EC is a prenatal vitamin that is the same Duet DHA except that it contains a special coating to help prevent stomach upset. Duet DHA EC is a prescription medication made for both prenatal and postnatal supplementations. Duet DHA focuses on the fact that it contains DHA, which helps with brain development and also development of the eyes. Let’s take a look at what is found in Duet DHA

Ingredients Found in Duet DHA

VITAMINS
A (beta carotene) 3,000 IU, C (ascorbic acid) 130 mg, D (cholecalciferol) 410 IU, E (dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate) 30 mg, B1 (thiamine mononitrate) 1.8 mg, B2 (riboflavin) 4 mg, Niacinamide 20 mg, B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) 28 mg, Folic acid 1 mg, B12 (cyanocobalamin) 12 mcg.

MINERALS
Calcium (calcium carbonate) 230 mg, Iron (sodium EDTA, Ferrazone®) 30 mg, Magnesium (magnesium oxide) 25 mg, Zinc (zinc oxide) 26 mg, Copper (cupric oxide) 2 mg,440 mg purified omega-3 long-chain fatty acids including, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DPA (docasapentaenoic acid) in 628mg of fish oil.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
Total omega-3 long chain fatty acids 440 mg, As DHA 295 mg, As other omega-3 long-chain fatty acid 145 mg

OTHER INGREDIENTS
Ammonium hydroxide, ethylcellulose, fractionated coconut oil, gelatin, glycerin, oleic acid, stearic acid, sodium alginate and DHA and EPA concentrate derived from purified fish oil via a proprietary process.

Key Ingredients Found In Duet DHA EC

Duet DHA EC includes a few key ingredients that you would hope to find in all prenatal vitamins. Some of these ingredients include Folic Acid, DHA, Calcium, and Vitamin B6. We all know that Folic Acid is a must in prenatal vitamins to help prevent neural tube problems in a new born. I would look for prenatal vitamins that have at least 400mcg of Folic Acid. DHA helps with brain development and you should look for at least 50-200mg of it when choosing a prenatal vitamin. Duet DHA contains a little too much DHA in my opinion. The calcium found in Duet DHA EC is a little low. You should look for a vitamin that contains at least 750mg.

Key Ingredients Not Found In Duet DHA EC

There are a number of key ingredients that are not contained in Duet DHA EC, which is hard to believe when you look through their long list of ingredients. Some of the important ingredients that are missing are Choline, Inositol, Ginger, Probiotics, and CoQ10. All of these ingredients should be key when looking for one of the best Prenatal Vitamins.

Overall Rating Of Duet DHA EC

Well first off Duet DHA EC looks ridiculous when typed; I don’t know where they came up with the name. Along with having a ridiculous name Duet DHA EC is missing a number of important ingredients that are key when searching for a prenatal vitamin for you and your baby.

Being an expensive prescription medication, I was surprised to see what was missing in this product. Overall this product ranks in the lower end of my list. When choosing a prenatal vitamin remember to look for the key ingredients and don’t get tricked into a prenatal vitamin that is way overpriced.

Jun 2

PreNexa Prenatal Vitamin

PreNaxa Prenatal Vitamins is a product made by Upsher-Smith Laboratories. PreNexa Capsules are indicated to provide you and your baby with the vitamins and minerals you will need throughout your pregnancy. PreNexa prenatal vitamins puts a large focus on carrying DHA. DHA is an important ingredient to have in a prenatal vitamin. DHA is a key omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body, and helps with the development of your baby’s brain and eyes.

Ingredients Found in PreNexa

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, USP) – 25 mg, Calcium (tribasic calcium phosphate, NF) – 160 mg, Iron (ferrous fumarate, USP) – 30 mg, Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, USP) – 170 IU, Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol, USP) – 30 IU, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride, USP) – 25 mg, Folic Acid, USP – 1.2 mg, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, contained in the oil derived from, microalgae) – 265 mg, Docusate Sodium, USP – not more than 55 mg

Inactive Ingredients: Ethyl vanillin, FD&C blue #1, FD&C red #40, FD&C yellow #6, gelatin, glycerin, lecithin, palm kernel oil, sodium benzoate, soybean oil, sunflower oil, titanium dioxide, yellow beeswax, water and white ink (ammonium hydroxide, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, shellac glaze in SD-45 alcohol, simethicone, titanium dioxide).

What Important Ingredients Does PreNexa Contain?

PreNexa contains DHA which I mentioned earlier is a very important ingredient for fetal development. PreNexa also contains Calcium but it is at a lower does than I would recommend. Other important ingredients are Vitamin B6 which helps with morning sickness and was found in studies done in China to reduce miscarriages. Too much B6 can be a problem though. I would look for Prenatal vitamins that contain 25-50mg of vitamin B6. PreNexa also contains Folic Acid which helps decrease neural tube defects.

What Important Ingredients Is PreNexa Missing?

PreNexa contains a number of the necessary vitamins and minerals but is missing a few ingredients that I find to be important. First of all PreNexa should contain more calcium to help fight off the possibility of osteoporosis in the future for the mother. Choline and Inositol are important to include in a prenatal vitamin to help with brain development and also further reduce neural tube problems.

Overall Rating of PreNexa

PreNexa rates in the middle to lower end of prenatal vitamins that I have reviewed. PreNexa is missing out on too many ingredients that have shown to help the mother and child during pregnancy and during breast feeding. PreNexa is expensive and a prescription; so you would think PreNexa would have some of these important ingredients for the price you end up paying. Don’t let your baby down find a product that contains all of the important ingredients for a successful delivery.

Jun 2

Vitafol-OB+DHA prenatal vitamins

Vitafol is a prescription medication made by Everett Laboratories. Vitafol-OB+DHA contains a number of important ingredients just as the name implies (Vitamin A, Folic Acid, and DHA). As a prescription medication Vitafol has a complete list of ingredients, side effects, contraindications, and interactions.

Vitafol is made to cover the necessary vitamins and minerals during and after pregnancy to help both the mother and child. There are many ingredients found in Vitafol-OB+DHA that will help with your child’s development. Let’s take a look at what this product contains.

Ingredients found in Vitafol-OB+DHA

Vit.A (2700 IU), Thiamine (1.6mg), Riboflavin (1.8mg), Niacinamide (18mg), Pyridoxine (2.5mg), Folic Acid (1mg), Vit.B12 (12mcg), Vit.C (70mg), Vit.D (400 IU), Vit.E (30 IU), calcium (100mg), copper (2mg), Iron (65mg), Magnesium (25mg), zinc (25mg), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (250mg ). Other ingredients include gluten, lactose, and iodine.

Qualities of Vitafol-OB+DHA

Because Vitafol is a prescription you know it has been approved by the FDA which is a good thing, but should not carry too much weight on that when choosing a prenatal vitamin. Vitafol contains most of the important ingredients such as folic acid, calcium, and DHA, but is missing a number of others. I would have thought a prescription medication would carry more of the important ingredients needed during pregnancy.

Problems of Vitafol-OB+DHA

Vitafol just does not contain the ingredients that I would expect from a prescription prenatal vitamin. First off this product does not contain enough calcium just a 100mg of calcium is not enough to supplement the amount of calcium needed during pregnancy. I would suggest looking for a product that contains at least 750mg. Vitafol is also missing Choline, Inositol, CoQ10, Ginger, Probiotics, and vitamin B6. All of these ingredients can help the mother and child during and after pregnancy.

Overall Rating of Vitafol-OB+DHA

There are few things about Vitafol-OB+DHA that are good but overall I would rate this product on the lower end of my list. Vitafol does not contain a number of the newer ingredients that has shown to be effective for both the mother and child during pregnancy. Include the price for this product, plus the cost of seeing a doctor to get the prescription, and you could find a much better prenatal vitamin in comparison.

Jun 2

Spring Valley Prenatal Vitamins

A broad look at Spring Valley Prenatal Vitamins

Spring valley Prenatal Vitamins are a prenatal vitamin that can be found just about everywhere. Spring Valley is a well known company that deals in just about every type of vitamin out there. Spring Valley states that their prenatal vitamin will provide complete multi vitamin and mineral supplement for pregnant and lactating women. Spring Valley Prenatal Vitamins Come in tablet form and are to be taken once a day.

What Does Spring Valley Prenatal Vitamin Contain?

Vitamin A (4000IU), Vitamin C (120mg), Vitamin D (400IU), Vitamin E (30IU), Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) (1.8mg), Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) (1.7mg), Niacin (20mg), Vitamin B-6 (2.6mg), Folic Acid (800mcg), Vitamin B-12 (8mcg), Calcium (200mg), Iron (28mg), Zinc (25mg).

Other Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Cellulose, Ascorbic Acid, Ferrous Fumarate, Maltodextrin, Gelatin, Zinc Oxide, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Croscarmellose Sodium, Niacinamide, Crospovidone, Corn Starch, Hypromellose, Dextrin, Titanium Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Polyethylene Glycol, Pyridoxine, Silicon Dioxide, Red 40, Magnesium Stearate, Beta Carotene, Thiamine, Dextrose, Riboflavin, Soy Lecithin, Folic Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate, Yellow 6, Blue 2, Cholecalciferol, Cyanocobalamin.

Important Ingredients Found in Spring Valley Prenatal Vitamin

Spring Valley contains a few important ingredients that can help you and your baby during pregnancy. Ingredients such as Calcium, Vitamin B6, and Folic Acid are all ingredients that can help keep you body in balance and help your baby’s development. Even though Spring Valley contains a few of these good ingredients they are far short on important vitamins and minerals. Spring Valley also does not contain the right amounts of these ingredients.

What Ingredients Is Spring Valley Missing?

Spring Valley is missing out on a number of ingredients that you and your baby could benefit from. First off the calcium in this product is not enough to help keep the calcium being leeched out of your bones. The calcium level should be at least 750mg. Second Spring Valleys Prenatal Vitamin is missing ingredients such as CoQ10, Ginger, Probiotics, DHA, Choline, and Inositol.

All of these ingredients help during pregnancy for a variety of things such as brain development, gestational diabetes, healing after pregnancy, nausea, constipation, and ADD.

Another problem with Spring Valley Prenatal Vitamin is that it uses the tablet form rather than a capsule. Tablets are harder to swallow and makes it more difficult for your body to absorb all of the ingredients.

Overall Rating Of This Product

I would rate Spring Valley Prenatal Vitamins on the lower end of prenatal vitamins. The price of this product is on the lower end. If buying a product because of its lower price just remember that one extra day at the hospital will wipe out all of the savings you made from buying a cheaper prenatal vitamin. Make sure to look for products that contain the full spectrum of known ingredients to help fetal development.

Jun 2

An in depths look at Complete Prenatal System

Formulated by Rainbow Light is a prenatal vitamin that is said to be a scientifically advanced nutritional protection that delivers the full range of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. Let’s take a look and see just how advanced Complete Prenatal System really is.

What Ingredients Does Complete Prenatal System Contain?

Vitamin A (5000IU), Vitamin C (250mg), Vitamin D (800IU), Vitamin E (200IU), Vitamin K (100mcg), Thiamin (30mg), Riboflavin (35mg), Niacin (40mg), Vitamin B6 (20mg), Folic Acid (1000mcg), Vitamin B12 (60mcg), Biotin (600mcg), Pantothenic Acid (60mg), Calcium (1000mg), Iron (30mg), Iodine (150mcg), Magnesium (500mg), Zinc (15mg), Selenium (200mcg), Copper (1.5mg), Manganese (6mg), Chromium (200mcg), Molybdenum (50mcg), Potassium (50mg), Lemon Bioflavonoids (80mg), Rutin (10mg), Choline (120mg), Insitol (20mg), PABA (10mg), Lactobacillus Sporongenes (30,000,000 CFU), Protease (3,600), Amylase (282 DU), Lipase (3 LU), Cellulase (3 CU), Betaine HCl (60mg), Organic Sprulina (900mg), Alfalfa (60mg), Organic Chlorella (150mg), Red Raspberry, Chamomile, and Ginger

What Important Vitamins and Minerals are found in Complete Prenatal System?

As you can see Complete Prenatal Care system contains a large amount of ingredients. The ones that I like are Calcium, Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, Ginger, Choline, and Inositol. The amounts for each of the ingredients are also good. Calcium has 1000mg which is good, Folic Acid 1000mcg, and 20mg of Vitamin B6. There could be a little more Vitamin B6 but 20mg is not that bad.

What Could Complete Prenatal System Add or Change?

If I was to make my own Prenatal Vitamin I would not have so many ingredients. The amount of different ingredients are a little much. Many of the ingredients are not all that necessary for pregnant women. Products with such a large amount of unnecessary ingredients can cause problems such as nausea or unwanted reactions.

Another thing I would change is the tablet. Complete Prenatal System comes in tablet form which causes problems with swallowing and absorption. Many women have nausea during pregnancy and the difficulty of swallowing a tablet can be difficult.

Something that I would add to this product would be 200mg of DHA which is a must have. Research has shown that mothers are at a lower risk of post partum depression, and mood change. They also recover more quickly after pregnancy. The presence of DHA in a prenatal vitamin will have a positive effect on a child’s sensory, cognitive, and motor development.

I would also like to see this product contain CoQ10 which in studies published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics stated that Co-Q10 supplementation results in a significant reduction in the rate of preeclampsia and helps with healing after delivery.

Overall Rating of Complete Prenatal System

Complete Prenatal System contains a number of good ingredients maybe even a little too much. I would Rate this product as a lower end of my list do to what is missing from the product and how many different ingredients are contained in the product. The Price of this product is a little expensive for what you get out of this product. You and Your child’s health are the most important things so doing a little more research to find a better Prenatal Vitamin is what I would recommend.

Jun 2

Twin Labs Prenatal-Care Vitamin

An in depths look at Prenatal-Care Caps

Prenatal Care was formulated by Twinlab and contains 22 different nutrients. Prenatal Care was designed to provide pregnant mothers with the essential vitamins and minerals to help out during pregnancy. The question is whether or not Prenatal Care actually contains the necessary ingredients along with the correct percentage of ingredients.

What Does Prenatal Care Contain?

Prenatal Care contains Vitamin A (8000IU), Vitamin C (120mg), Vitamin D (400IU), Vitamin E (60IU),Thiamin (3mg), Riboflavin (3.4mg), Niacin (40mg), Vitamin B6 (4mg), Folic Acid (800mcg), Vitamin B12 (12mcg), Biotin (600mcg), Pantothenic Acid (20mg), Calcium (400mg), Iron (20mg), Iodine (300mcg), Magnesium (200mg), Zinc (15mg), Copper (2mg), Manganese (2mg), Choline(10mg), Inositol (10mg), PABA (1mg). Other ingredients include Gelatin, Cellulose, Croscarmellose, Sodium, MCT, Purified Water, Soy Lecithin, Polysorbate 80, Calcium Stearate, Potassium Chloride, Silica, and Potassium Citrate.

What important Vitamins and Minerals are found in Prenatal Care?

Prenatal Care contains some of the ingredients that I would recommend to look for in a prenatal vitamin but not nearly all of them. The product contains 800mcg of Folic Acid which is good. It also contains Calcium 400mg which is good but I would like to see at least 50% of the USDA recommendation which would be 750mg.

Prenatal Care also contains Vitamin B6 which I like but I would recommend getting 25-50mg of Vitamin B6 rather than just 4mg. Prenatal Care contains Choline which is a nice addition and Prenatal Care also comes in a capsule rather than a tablet which is harder to absorb and breakdown.

What Is Prenatal Care Missing?

Prenatal Care contains some really good ingredients but I also think it is missing some important ones. The ingredients I would like to see in Prenatal Care are CoQ10 which in studies published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics stated that Co-Q10 supplementation results in a significant reduction in the rate of preeclampsia and helps with healing after delivery.

Another ingredient I would like to see is Ginger which helps treat and prevent nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, chemotherapy and motion sickness.

Another missing ingredient includes Probiotics and DHA. Probiotics have shown in studies to reduce the frequency of gestational diabetes by 20%.

Overall Rating of Prenatal Care

I would rate Prenatal care as more of an average prenatal vitamin. The product contains some of the important vitamins and minerals but not all of them are at the right amount that I would recommend.

Prenatal care also misses out on some very important ingredients which help out both the mother and child. Prenatal Care also contains a little too much of some ingredients such as 8000IU of Vitamin A which could hinder other ingredients from being absorbed into the body.

The price of Prenatal Care is on the lower side but so is the quality of the product. When It comes down to you and your baby’s health I wouldn’t recommend cutting a few corners to save money.

Jun 2

Are CitraCal RX Prenatal Vitamins The Best Option For You And Your Baby?

CitraCal RX Prenatal Vitamins are available by prescription from your physician. You would think that prescription prenatal vitamins would be superior to all others, but this is definitely not the case.  After researching CitraCal RX Prenatal, I have found its missing important ingredients.

CitraCal Prenatal Vitamins Ingredients Overview

This prenatal does contain some very important ingredients such as folic acid, calcium and iron, but its missing important ingredients like DHA, Choline, and Inositol.

Another concern I have about CitraCal is that it’s a very large tablet, that is hard to swallow. If you’re already nauseated from pregnancy, CitraCal is going to be nearly impossible to take. Not to mention, it will not absorb into your system as well as gel caps, capsules, or liquids.

CitraCal Ingredients:
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine HCl, Folic Acid, Iodine, Zinc, Copper, Docusate Sodium

How Much Are CitraCal Prenatal Vitamins?

Depending on what your insurance covers for prescription medications, will determine how much CitraCal will cost. If you don’t have prescription coverage, CitriCal will be quite expensive.

CitraCal Prenatal Vitamins Conclusion

CitraCal RX Prenatal is missing important components to make it a high quality prenatal vitamin. Its far better than taking nothing, but its not one of the best options out there. If you have a hard time swallowing pills CitraCal RX isn’t the vitamin for you. I would suggest taking a capsule prenatal, that will absorb better and be a thousand times easier to swallow.

Jun 2

Do One Source Prenatal Vitamins Contain Everything Your Developing Baby Needs?

A prenatal vitamin provides essential vitamins and minerals, that are imperative for your baby’s development. There are specific ingredients that are crucial in a prenatal vitamin, does One Source Prenatal contain all of those ingredients?

One Source Prenatal Vitamins Ingredients

Below is the only list of ingredients I could find for One Source Prenatal Vitamins. It does contain the bare necessities, but it doesn’t contain all the ingredients I would like. I would like to see DHA. DHA supports brain and nervous system development.

A worry I have with One Source Prenatal Vitamins is that they contain synthetic dyes. I assume this because the capsules are bright pink. I know they are cuter than normal prenatal vitamins, but synthetic dyes aren’t an ingredient you want your baby to be exposed to on a daily basis.

One Source Prenatal Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 2 caplets
Vitamin A 60%
Vitamin C 200%
Calcium 23%
Iron 156%
Vitamin D 100%
Vitamin E 100%
Thiamin (B1) 108%
Riboflavin (B2) 100%
Niacin (B3) 100%
Vitamin B6 800%
Folic Acid (Folate) 100%
Vitamin B12 150%
Zinc 167%
Copper 100%

How Much Are One Source Prenatal Vitamins?

One Source Prenatal Vitamins are affordable, around $21. They are They are usually sold at stores like Target or Walgreens, but there is talk of One Source Prenatal Vitamins being discontinued, a lot of people are having a hard time finding them.

One Source Prenatal Vitamins Conclusion

I would not recommend going with One Source Prenatal Vitamins. The ingredients are not up to day with current scientific standards. I would recommend taking a prenatal vitamin that contains DHA, and this supplement does not. One Source Prenatal Vitamins are mediocre, there are more advanced prenatal vitamins available.

Jun 1

Is Nature Made Multi Prenatal The Best Vitamin For You And Your Baby?

Nature Made makes a variety of supplements from Vitamin A to Zinc. They are known for making affordable supplements that are readily available. The question is, do they make high enough quality supplements for you to choose, Nature Made Multi Prental, to be the vitamin that helps to nourish your growing baby?

Nature Made Multi Prenatal Vitamin Ingredients Overview

I like that Nature Made Multi Prenatal doesn’t contain any artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, yeast, or gluten. However, other than that, there isn’t much too brag about with this prenatal vitamin. It does contain the bare minimums for recommended vitamins for pregnant women, but it doesn’t contain extras. Like DHA for example, DHA has been proven to boost cognitive, retinal and motor skill development.

Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Cellulose Gel, Ascorbic Acid, Ferrous Fumarate, Zinc Oxide, Maltodextrin, Niacinamide, Corn Starch, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Beta Carotene, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Polyethylene Glycol, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), Cyanocobalamin.

How Much Is Nature Made Multi Prenatal?

A one month supply is around $12.00. Nature Made products are readily available at a variety of well known stores. You can also purchase Nature Made Multi Prenatal Vitamins online. This product is definitely one of the cheapest prenatal vitamins on the market, but it appears to be inexpensive for a reason.

Nature Made Multi Prenatal Vitamin Conclusion

If Nature Made Multi Prenatal is all you can afford, then it’s certainly better than nothing, but if you’re concerned about having the best prenatal vitamin to provide nutrients to your baby, then this is not it. I would consider Nature Made Multi Prenatal behind the times, there are better prenatal vitamins that contain up date ingredients, like DHA and CoQ10. Below are the prenatal vitamins I highly recommend.