One of the hottest topics for pregnancy health is Vitamin A supplementation. Is it safe? How much is too much? Am I getting enough from my diet?
Before we get to the answers to these questions, it is very important to know that Vitamin A is an antioxidant that is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Vitamin A is one of many nutrients that plays a critical role in:
- helping the body maintain homeostasis
- prevention of anemia
- supporting metabolism during pregnancy
- tissue maintenance and development (cell growth) in pregnancy
- fetal development, especially of the bones, teeth, skin, and vision
Tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) of preformed vitamin A in pregnancy and lactation (from foods and supplements) for women ages 19+ is 3,000 mcg RAE or 10,000 IU per day.
Vitamin A is available in the human diet in two forms. The first is preformed vitamin A, known as retinol and retinyl ester, that comes from animal foods – dairy products, meat, and fish. The second is provitamin A carotenoids, the most common being beta-carotene (but also alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin) that comes from many orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables, as well as a variety of dark green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin A – Food Sources are Best!
Vitamin A is readily available from a variety of whole foods. The very best way to support your health in pregnancy and the health of your developing child is to eat a whole food pregnancy diet including the following foods high in vitamin A – carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, apricots, spinach, pumpkin and liver (animal and fish) like Cod Liver Oil, milk and eggs. Vitamin A is also found in a quality whole food fertility specific multivitamin like the Fertilica™ Fertile Woman One Daily.
The Facts: Vitamin A Supplementation in Pregnancy
Too much…
When searching for information about vitamin A consumption in pregnancy, you will likely come across several resources stating that consuming vitamin A in pregnancy may cause congenital birth defects. While some studies have shown that consuming too much vitamin A in pregnancy may cause congenital birth defects that include malformations of the eye, skull, lungs, and heart, these studies were performed using very high amounts of synthetic, water-soluble forms of vitamin A which is vitamin A from non-food sources.
A study published in 2000 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that prior to that year, dating back to 1970, only “up to 20” reports had been filed relating high vitamin A intake in humans to harmful birth defects in fetuses.
The Linus Pauling Institute states that “No increase in the risk of vitamin A-associated birth defects has been observed at doses of preformed vitamin A from supplements below 3,000 mcg/day (10,000 IU/day) (21). Since a number of foods in the U.S. are fortified with preformed vitamin A, pregnant women should avoid multivitamin or prenatal supplements that contain more than 1,500 mcg (5,000 IU) of vitamin A. Vitamin A from beta-carotene is not known to increase the risk of birth defects.”
Too little…
Given that we work with women all over the world, it is important to share that women of some cultures suffer from vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency often leads to the development of xerophthalmia which is thickening of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye, as well as the inability to produce tears. The World Health Organization estimates that 9.8 million pregnant women worldwide have xerophthalmia.
Studies have reported other effects of vitamin A deficiency as well, this may include an increased incidence of anemia and lowered immunity to disease and illness for pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as her infant child. Vitamin A deficiency in children can cause slower growth and development. The detrimental effects of this vitamin deficiency on mothers and their infants puts them at higher risk for death.
Summary
In conclusion, we know that vitamin A is an essential pregnancy nutrient for both a mother and her child. The focus should be on eating whole food sources of vitamin A and following a pregnancy diet composed of foods offering a wide variety of nutrients needed in pregnancy. In order for pregnant mothers to get the necessary nutrients they need, supplementing with a whole food prenatal multivitamin is advised. This helps prevent nutritional deficiencies, including that of vitamin A. Learn which nutritional supplements are safe for pregnancy here… and browse our complete library of Pregnancy Health articles… for more information. Here’s to a happy and healthy pregnancy!
- Azaïs-Braesco, V., & Pascal, G. (2000, May 1). The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Retrieved from http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/71/5/1325s.full
- Barton, D. (n.d.). Cod Liver Oil Essential for Healthy Fertility and Pregnancy. Retrieved from http://natural-fertility-info.com/cod-liver-oil-essential-for-healthy-fertility-and-pregnancy.html
- Nutrients and Vitamins for Pregnancy: American Pregnancy Association. (2012, April 26). Retrieved from http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/nutrients-vitamins-pregnancy/
- Helt, AM. Personal Communication, January 2014
- Higdon, J., & Drake, V. (2003, December 1). Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Research for Optimum Health. Retrieved from http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminA/
- Van Den Broek, N., Dou, L., Othman, M., Neilson, J., Gates, S., & Gülmezoglu, A. (2010, November 1). Vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy for maternal and newborn outcomes. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21069707?dopt=Abstract
- Vitamin A. (2013, June 5). Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
Elizabeth Willett is the Senior Herbalist with the Natural Fertility Company and head educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN.
Hello! I take my prenatal vitamins from CareOf…it’s a site that sends you vitamins in the mail and they come in super convenient packs. I am seeing their prenatal contains 5000 IU’s of Vitamin A. Is this okay? I see above that more than 5,000 is not okay….does this mean in supplements and not food? Obviously I’m getting more than 5,000 with food and the prenatal combined. Any feedback would be helpful 🙂
Dear Natalie,
We suggest vitamin A from whole food prenatal vitamins and foods. There is no known health risk when this nutrient comes from whole foods. As shared in this guide, “Since a number of foods in the U.S. are fortified with preformed vitamin A, pregnant women should avoid multivitamin or prenatal supplements that contain more than 1,500 mcg (5,000 IU) of vitamin A.” This means that a prenatal should not have more than 5,000 iu. The vitamin A you get through your varied, whole food pregnancy diet is in addition to this and shouldn’t be of concern.
All that said, if you are concerned, do talk to your doctor and the company that makes the multivitamin you’ve chosen.
Hi! I just found out that im pregnant (4 weeks). A week ago my doctor told me to start taking prenatals. I started taking my prenatals but never stop taking my multivitamin pills. Im now reading that I took too many vitamins. What can I do? im freaking out. Should I not take vitamins for awhile?
Dear Edna,
Take a deep breath and simply discontinue taking the multivitamin. The prenatal should be enough of what you and your baby need. Try not to be so worried!
Hello! Throughout 3-4 months I’ve been taking an excessive dose of vitamin A, 100,000 IU twice a day for 3 months. Unfortunately, I haven’t been warned about the negative effects, and now I’m wondering if there is any risk for a potential child. I stopped taking the vitamin a couple of months ago but was reading you need to wait 6-12 months before conceiving.
Dear Ola,
It seems like it would be best to have this conversation with the practitioner who suggested you take vitamin A at this dose. Know also that vitamin A from whole food sources is not known to have adverse effects.
My daily multivitamin lists Betacarotene 4 mg and Retinol as retionol acetate 800 mcg (2332 IU). Are these safe levels to consume while trying to conceive and during pregnancy?
Thanks!
Dear Sarah,
I would first suggest reaching out to the manufacturer for their explanation. It seem the multi is not a prenatal multivitamin, so I would suggest finding something marketed as a prenatal multivitamin for during pregnancy. There are many on the market, we suggest a whole food prenatal such as Baby and Me by MegaFood.
That said, it is believed as shared in this guide that a supplement with less than 3,000iu is fine.
Hello, I was wondering, Is 7500 IU of Vitamin A (as Betatene Carotenoids) considered excessive/harmful during PRE-conception? That’s the amount in my current multivitamins. Everything else seems to be in appropriate levels.
Dear Sharon,
Multivitamins typically contain 2,500–10,000 IU vitamin A, often in the form of both retinol and beta-carotene and this is just fine preconception. Do switch to a prenatal multivitamin in pregnancy.
Hello,
I wonder if it safe to use cosmetics that has Vitamin A, like Retinol? Can we receive “too much” Vitamin A through cosmetics?
Dear Almedea,
We truly can receive “too much” of anything when used, or consumed in excess. Research is inconclusive about the use of topical retinoids (retinol) in pregnancy, therefore their use is often not advised during pregnancy because no one really knows the true risk to a developing fetus. Likewise, not many wish to take the chance or test pregnant women to learn the true risk.
It may be best to avoid using retinol in pregnancy if you have doubt or discuss its use with your dermatologist or doctor.