Vitamin A Plays Vital Role in Pregnancy and Fetal Development

Our environment, diet, and lifestyle are discernibly different than of those who reproduced before us. Our environment seems to be a toxic flood of artificial additives, chemicals, and drugs. Our diet has changed substantially over the past few years and our lifestyle, which was extremely active in the past, is now sedentary and stressful. Is it any wonder that fertility has become such a problem in this modern day shuffle?

Eating healthily and improving our diet can have a dramatic effect on fertility. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient in the formation of healthy epithelial cells and in keeping the mucous membranes which line all the cavities of the body in healthy condition. The mucous produced by epithelial cells is necessary to lubricate body surfaces and protect against invading micro-organisms. Therefore, vitamin A is also vital in the maintenance of the uterus and the vaginal lining.

During pregnancy, vitamin A assists in fighting off infections by maintaining the surface linings of the eyes and respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts. If these linings break down, bacteria can enter the body and cause infection. Vitamin A helps the body regulate its immune system, and may help lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights infections, function more effectively.

After birth vitamin A helps with postpartum tissue repair.

Because of its vital role in cell development and differentiation, adequate vitamin A helps to ensure that the changes that occur in the cells and tissues during fetal development take place normally. Vitamin A plays an important role in the development of the following:

• Embryonic development
• Eyes
• Limbs
• Healthy skin
• Mucous membranes
• Bone growth
• Fat metabolism
• Infection resistance

The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A during pregnancy is 770 mcg per day. After pregnancy, while you are breast feeding, the dosage needs to be increased to 1,300 mcg per day.

This may sound like a lot, but it is actually fairly easy to consume the recommended amounts. Vitamin A can be found in a wide variety of foods including meat, liver, dairy products, eggs, fish, fortified cereals, fruits and vegetables. Here are a few examples of foods and their vitamin A content:

• 1 cup cooked carrots: 1,342 mcg
• 1 baked sweet potato: 1,403 mcg
• 1 cup boiled spinach: 1,146 mcg
• 1 piece pumpkin pie: 660 mcg
• 1 cup boiled butternut squash: 401 mcg
• 1 packet instant oatmeal: 285 mcg
• 1 cup nonfat fortified milk: 145 mcg

Most over the counter prenatal vitamins also contain vitamin A, although most will contain vitamin A in the beta-carotene form, which is the good vitamin A format. Always check the labels and be sure to discuss prenatal vitamins with your health care provider.