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Expert Q&A

	By Allison Gamble Nutritionist/Diet Technician Highland Park Hospital, Illinois

Are there any vitamins which can be taken by a non pregnant woman which should be avoided or curtailed by a pregnant one? I know vitamin A should be kept to a 4000-5000 IU. Are there any vitamins routinely taken which might be harmful to the fetus? Thanks.

There are no vitamins or minerals that I know of specifically that should be avoided during pregnancy. I do know that any of the fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K - when taken in megadoses (over ten times the RDI - Recommended Daily Intake) - can lead to toxicity. The water soluble vitamins, when taken in large doses, are excreted when not needed by the body, so toxicity is not likely to occur, but is possible. Normally, it is unlikely that one would greatly exceed the RDI for any kind of vitamin, since most of us don't even come close to hitting the RDI on a daily basis.

If you are a healthy eater and are taking a single multiple vitamin (multi-vitamin) to ensure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals, I wouldn't worry about exceeding the RDI.

To insure you're getting all the nutrients your baby needs, I suggest you talk to your healthcare provider about which prenatal vitamin she or he recommends, and also discuss any specific dietary concerns with her or him."

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