Which pre-natal vitamins are more popular here? x-posted

[Blessed_Mom]

Please chime in with your best liked pre-natal vitamins and where you buy them please. Do you supp any other vitamins or minerals when you are pregnant or TTC? Like Iron, Calcium, Vit-D and more? Teas? TIA

[goldenwillow]

Chiming in...  bought at our co op and on Amazon.

http://www.newchapter.com/multi-vitamins/perfect-prenatal

and... now finding on line... we paid too much at the co op! 

http://www.newchapter.com/multi-vitamins/perfect-prenatal

LO is up.. write more later

[cameragirl]

I take New Chapter's Perfect Prenatal as well. I use the subscription on Amazon, and it is at least 50% off of the in-store price.

[1love4ever]

Garden of Life Raw Prenatal, all the way!!!  I dont like all the soy in the New Chapter.  Here is where I get it, its the cheapest I've found

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Raw-Prenatal-capsules/dp/B002JOVOVY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318061714&sr=8-1
 

I also take Carlsons fish oil supps

[goldenwillow]

Originally Posted by 1love4ever 

Garden of Life Raw Prenatal, all the way!!!  I dont like all the soy in the New Chapter.  Here is where I get it, its the cheapest I've found

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Raw-Prenatal-capsules/dp/B002JOVOVY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318061714&sr=8-1

I also take Carlsons fish oil supps

I agree with the Carlsons.  I also drank raw milk egg nogg (daily), bone broths, followed an TF diet the whole way. 

Curious...  the organic soy in New Chapter is cultured, the organic soy in the Garden of life is fermented.  I see no difference.  I will say I enjoy that the Garden of Life does not state they have waxes, etc...  I see that the Garden of Life has quite a bit of soy, natto, fermented, etc.  The New Chapter only has 1 item of soy.  I went with New Chapter due to the amount of yeast in Garden of Life... I simply cannot digest them that well and New Chapter does not have as much. 

I see them both as great products. 

[cameragirl]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the New Chapter is cultured with lactic-acid loving bacteria. That is making essentially the same changes in soy as fermenting would. Culturing is pretty much just a way of saying you fermented in a controlled environment, which both companies do. The real issue is uncultured/fermented soy, which doesn't work as well in the body.

Either way, I've noticed a big improvement over conventional vitamins. No more puking! No more being forced to take them at night, and hope I can fall asleep before they dissolve!

[1love4ever]

I had heard that GOL contains less soy?  But now I am not so sure.   I like certain things about the New chapter such as that there is more vitamin K, but I dont like the extra ingredients: Organic gum acacia, silica, lac resin, carnauba wax and sunflower oil, and I thought there was more soy than in the GOL, I will look into it though.  I also dont feel the need to take large doses of vitamin B other than maybe in early pregnancy to help with morning sickness. 

I do completely agree that no matter which whole foods vitamin you take, it will not make you sick like the mainstream Walmart vitamins will, and your body will absorb and use them SO much better than the synthetic ones.  One whole foods vitamin that I can not recommend though is Rainbow Lights Certified Organics because of the ginseng it contains.

[goldenwillow]

Originally Posted by cameragirl 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the New Chapter is cultured with lactic-acid loving bacteria. That is making essentially the same changes in soy as fermenting would. Culturing is pretty much just a way of saying you fermented in a controlled environment, which both companies do. The real issue is uncultured/fermented soy, which doesn't work as well in the body.
Either way, I've noticed a big improvement over conventional vitamins. No more puking! No more being forced to take them at night, and hope I can fall asleep before they dissolve!

Yep... you are correct.  When I was pregnant I was working with a chapter leader of a WAPF.  She, of course, is on that wave of lactic-acid loving bacteria... at that stage of my life, I had no clue.. these days we ferment everything with whey... which honestly... I am considering going vegan... but we do still have raw milk in the house.  My husband is a TF cook and has a few families we still ferment for... our family is just changing our ways.  I would not change a thing during my pregnancy. 

Glad to hear you have had a big improvement on the non-conventional vitamins. 

[Blessed_Mom]

Originally Posted by 1love4ever 

I had heard that GOL contains less soy?  But now I am not so sure.   I like certain things about the New chapter such as that there is more vitamin K, but I dont like the extra ingredients: Organic gum acacia, silica, lac resin, carnauba wax and sunflower oil, and I thought there was more soy than in the GOL, I will look into it though.  I also dont feel the need to take large doses of vitamin B other than maybe in early pregnancy to help with morning sickness. 

I do completely agree that no matter which whole foods vitamin you take, it will not make you sick like the mainstream Walmart vitamins will, and your body will absorb and use them SO much better than the synthetic ones.  One whole foods vitamin that I can not recommend though is Rainbow Lights Certified Organics because of the ginseng it contains.

I don't see Ginseng on my bottle of Rainbow Lights - what am I missing?

Edit : This is what I have http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories.aspx?Category=d83213e2-f71d-43ff-836d-c71835132d2f

[Blessed_Mom]

Comparing Rainbow Light ingredients and New Chapter - a few things jump to mind. Please chime in with thoughts.

http://www.newchapter.com/multi-vitamins/perfect-prenatal#supplement-facts

NC has 100% of vit A. Meaning when I intake more Vit A from food that would be an overdose and I think it is not good to overdose on Vit A - Correct me if I am wrong?

Although NC says it has 5000 IU of Vit A (as beta carotene). RL says it has 4000 IU of Vit A (50% as palmitate and 50% as beta carotene) but that constitutes only 50% of Vit A???? Still it has less than NC so RL gets one point extra here.

NC serving size is 3 capsules whereas RL is 1. RL gets another extra point here. Leading by 2 points.

NC has extracts of lemon balm and peppermint which are strict no-nos while breastfeeding (they dry milk up). Since we need to take prenatals even while breastfeeding - RL gets another extra point here. Leading by 3 points.

RL has Vit D as D2 - 100%, where as NC has Vit D3 250% so NC leads by 1 point . Overall RL is leading for me by 2 points

RL has 200 mg of Calcium whereas NC has 75 mg. So RL gains another point. Leading by 3 points again. AM I being silly? :-)  Although NC has algae calcium and RL has Carbonate so I don't know which absorbs really well.

RL Iron 167% , NC 100%   RL gains another point 4 point lead

RL Iodine (from Kelp) 100%, NC 60%   . I am slightly hypothyroid and don't take iodized salt. I think RL gains another point here. 5 point lead

NC contains a blend of cruciferous veggies like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage which cause gas and bloating during pregnancy whereas RL contains ginger which aids in digestion. 6 point lead

I don't know - overall I feel Rainbow Light is leading by a 6 point lead. Why do people prefer New Chapter so much?

Please enlighten me :-)

Thanks so much.

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by Blessed_Mom 

Comparing Rainbow Light ingredients and New Chapter - a few things jump to mind. Please chime in with thoughts.

http://www.newchapter.com/multi-vitamins/perfect-prenatal#supplement-facts

NC has 100% of vit A. Meaning when I intake more Vit A from food that would be an overdose and I think it is not good to overdose on Vit A - Correct me if I am wrong?

If from a food source, you are safe to consume much more than the FDA recommendation for vitamin A. Toxicity studies were done with conventional vitamins originally. Newer studies show that in food form, even 50,000 iu can be safe.

RL has 200 mg of Calcium whereas NC has 75 mg. So RL gains another point. Leading by 3 points again. AM I being silly? :-)  Although NC has algae calcium and RL has Carbonate so I don't know which absorbs really well.
With calcium, it is often better to not get as much in the multi, and instead get it at another time. Taking iron at the same time as calcium causes lower absorption of both.

All in all, it really depends on what you prefer and what your needs are. You can always switch after birth or close to birth if you want. To each their own.

[maryamrose]

I take the Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System, which is 6 huge pills. This was ok before I got pregnant, but I can barely choke down 6 pills now. It's a great prenatal if you can get it down.

I've noticed that the RL Prenatal One is a lot more popular around here (and I now understand why).

[Blessed_Mom]

Originally Posted by maryamrose 

I take the Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System, which is 6 huge pills. This was ok before I got pregnant, but I can barely choke down 6 pills now. It's a great prenatal if you can get it down.

I've noticed that the RL Prenatal One is a lot more popular around here (and I now understand why).

What is the benefit of the complete prenatal system versus the one-a-day?

[maryamrose]

Complete Prenatal System has more vit A, C, D, E, K, B-1, B-2, Niacin, B-6, Folic Acid (1000 mcg vs. 800), B-12 (the more absorbable methylcobalamin as opposed to cyanocobalamin), biotin, B-5, way more calcium (1000 mg vs. 200), magnenium, pretty much all the other minerals...

Honestly, now that I look at it, it's probably not worth it to choose this over the one-pill version. I might just switch and make sure to get calcium in my diet.

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by Blessed_Mom 

What is the benefit of the complete prenatal system versus the one-a-day?

The vitamin content is different, and you get less in the ONE pill since it is only one pill a day.


Rainbow Light Prenatal One:
Supplement Facts
Serving Size:
Servings Per Container:
Amount per Serving% Daily Value
Vitamin A as Palmitate 3,500 IU, Beta-Carotene 2,500 IU 6,000 IU75%
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid 100 mg167%
Vitamin D Cholecalciferol 400 IU100%
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate 100 IU333%
Vitamin K Phytonadione 65 mcg
Thiamin (B1) 10 mg588%
Riboflavin (B2) 10 mg500%
Niacin (B3) 20 mg100%
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine 15 mg600%
Folate,Folic Acid,Folacin 800 mcg100%
Vitamin B12 Cyanocobalamin 25 mcg313%
Biotin 300 mcg100%
Pantothenic acid Vitamin B-5 15 mg150%
Calcium Carbonate, Citrate-Malate 200 mg15%
Iron Amino Acid Chelate 30 mg167%
Iodine from Kelp 150 mcg100%
Magnesium Oxide 100 mg22%
Zinc Citrate 15 mg100%
Selenium Selenomethionine 100 mcg
Copper Amino Acid Chelate 2 mg100%
Manganese Citrate 2 mg
Chromium Amino Nicotinate 120 mcg
Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate 75 mcg
Potassium Citrate 10 mg
Boron Glycinate 1 mg
Choline Bitartrate 10 mg*
Inositol 10 mg*
PABA 10 mg*
Plant Source Enzymes
Protease 660 HUT*
Amylase 226 DU*
Lipase 2 LU*
Cellulase 3 CU*
Food and Herbal Ingredients
Spirulina 20 mg*
Ginger (rhizome) Fresh Juice 10:1 Extract equivalent to 20 mg of herbal powder 20 mg*
Red Raspberry *(leaf) 2:1 Extract equivalent to 100 mg of herbal powder 50 mg*

Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal:
Supplement Facts
Serving Size:6 Tablets
Servings Per Container:30
Amount per Serving% Daily Value
Vitamin A as 50% Beta-Carotene, 50% Palmitate 5000 IU62%
Vitamin C Magnesium Ascorbate 250 mg417%
Vitamin D Cholecalciferol 800 IU200%
Vitamin E as d-alpha tocopheryl succinate 200 IU667%
Vitamin K as Phytonadione 100 mcg*
Thiamin (B1) 30 mg1765%
Riboflavin (B2) 35 mg1750%
Niacin (B3) 40 mg200%
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine 20 mg800%
Folate,Folic Acid,Folacin 1000 mcg125%
Vitamin B12 as Methylcobalamin 60 mcg750%
Biotin 600 mcg200%
Pantothenic acid 60 mg600%
Calcium Carbonate, Amino Acid Chelate 1000 mg77%
Iron Amino Acid Chelate 30 mg167%
Iodine from Kelp 150 mcg100%
Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbate 500 mg111%
Zinc Amino Acid Chelate 15 mg100%
Selenium Selenomethionine 200 mcg
Copper 1.5 mg75%
Manganese Amino Acid Chelate 6 mg
Chromium Amino Acid Chelate 200 mcg
Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate 50 mcg
Potassium as Citrate 50 mg
Lemon Bioflavonoid 80 mg*
Rutin 10 mg*
Choline (As Chlorine Bitartrate) 120 mg*
Inositol 20 mg*
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) 10 mg*
Lactobacillus Cultures 30000000 CFU*
Digestive Support Complex
Protease 3600 HUT*
Amylase 282 DU*
Lipase 3 LU*
Cellulase 3 CU*
Betaine HCI 60 mg*
Superfood Vitality Blend
Organic Spirulina 900 mg*
Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) Juice 60 mg*
Chlorella (organic) 150 mg*
Geramium (Pelargonium Graveleons) Essential Oil (equivalent to 500 mg of herbal powder) 89 mg*
Red Raspberry Extract 4:1
Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Extract 4:1
Ginger Extract 10:1, Fresh Juice
* Daily Value not established.

[cameragirl]

Just for comparison's sake, here is the info for the New Chapter Perfect Prenatal.

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 3 Tablets
Servings Per Container: 32
Amount per serving % Daily Value
Vitamin A 5000 IU 100%
Vitamin C 60 mg 100%
Vitamin D 1000 IU 250%
Vitamin E 30 IU 100%
Vitamin K 70 mcg 88%
Thiamin (B1) 4 mg 267%
Riboflavin (B2) 5 mg 294%
Niacin (B3) 20 mg 100%
Vitamin B6 5 mg 250%
Folate,Folic Acid,Folacin 600 mcg 150%
Vitamin B12 30 mcg 500%
Biotin 300 mcg 100%
Pantothenic acid 10 mg 100%
Calcium (from Algae) 75 mg 7.5%
Iron 18 mg 100%
Iodine 90 mcg 60%
Magnesium (80% cultured, 20% from Algae) 15 mg 3%
Zinc 7.5 mg 50%
Selenium 50 mcg 71%
Copper 750 mcg 38%
Manganese 2 mg 100%
Chromium 100 mcg 83%
Molybdenum 20 mcg 27%
MK-7 (Vitamin K2) 10 mcg*
Mixed Carotenoids 3 mg*
Prenatal Herbal Blend **See Product Details for Additional Information 300 mg*
Breast Support Blend (sprouted seeds) Organic Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Daikon Radish, Cabbage, Mustard) 100 mg*
* Daily Value not established.

[birdhappy85]

I love love love my nutraMetrix Isotonix Prenatal Multivitamin! It comes in powder form that you mix with water to make liquid. I feel like my body digests and absorbs liquid vitamins so much more efficiently. I started out on a pill-form prenatal early in my pregnancy and felt way better when I switched over to this! My midwife recommends liquid vitamins to all of her clients. It also makes it easy to make a vitamin cocktail when adding other supplements to your regimen. Just mix them all together and drink. So I take my prenatal, liquid Vitamin D, and cod liver oil. I also recently started drinking Natural Calm magnesium and calcium supplement. As for teas, I drink red raspberry leaf tea on occasion.

[1love4ever]

Originally Posted by Blessed_Mom 

I don't see Ginseng on my bottle of Rainbow Lights - what am I missing?

Edit : This is what I have http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories.aspx?Category=d83213e2-f71d-43ff-836d-c71835132d2f

You are not taking the whole foods based prenatal, you are taking their synthetic vitamin supp.  Their whole foods prenatal http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories.aspx?Category=813a0ae1-626d-4be4-9168-39afa1ff6151 is this one.  Your body will not absorb near the nutrients that it would if you were taking a whole foods based prenatal.  And many of the synthetic vitamins are created using nasty chemicals and genetically modified ingredients.  I would still take the one that you are taking over One-A-Day Womens by Bayer any day if I could only take one of the 2, but if I had the option of any prenatal on the market which I do, it would be GOL, New Chapter or maybe MegaFoods Baby and Me Herb Free.

[Blessed_Mom]

Originally Posted by 1love4ever 

You are not taking the whole foods based prenatal, you are taking their synthetic vitamin supp.  Their whole foods prenatal http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories.aspx?Category=813a0ae1-626d-4be4-9168-39afa1ff6151 is this one.  Your body will not absorb near the nutrients that it would if you were taking a whole foods based prenatal.  And many of the synthetic vitamins are created using nasty chemicals and genetically modified ingredients.  I would still take the one that you are taking over One-A-Day Womens by Bayer any day if I could only take one of the 2, but if I had the option of any prenatal on the market which I do, it would be GOL, New Chapter or maybe MegaFoods Baby and Me Herb Free.

Wow - ok..So the Vits need to say "Whole Foods" is it? I read that earlier in some comment and thought, naively that they were getting it from the supermarket "Whole Foods".

If you had to pick only one - which would it be? Thanks

[1love4ever]

Originally Posted by Blessed_Mom 

Wow - ok..So the Vits need to say "Whole Foods" is it? I read that earlier in some comment and thought, naively that they were getting it from the supermarket "Whole Foods".

If you had to pick only one - which would it be? Thanks

Oh, no its not because its from the store Whole Foods, its because the vitamins and minerals in the suppplement are created from whole foods and no synthetic chemicals, they must say whole foods based or something along those lines.  I would choose Garden of Life, that is what I am taking currently.  I think that the other 2 that I mentioned are fine too though, so it is really personal choice.  I posted a link in my first post (post #4) to Amazons GOL prenatals, which are the cheapest I have found them.  That is what I order every month:)