Side effects of taking prenatal vitamins when not pregnant

What are prenatal vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins are supplements specially formulated to help give your baby the nutrients that are essential for healthy development.

During pregnancy, your required daily intake of certain vitamins and minerals increases - and it's not easy to get those amounts through diet alone.

Benefits of prenatal vitamins

Most women can benefit from taking a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement (preferably before trying to conceive).

Think of it as an insurance policy to make sure you're getting the right amount of certain crucial nutrients during pregnancy.

It's hard to get all the nutrients you and your baby need, even if you eat a wide variety of food, including meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.

Taking a prenatal vitamin is even more important for women with dietary restrictions, health issues, or pregnancy complications.

This includes women who:

• Are vegetarians or vegans
• Are lactose intolerant or have other food int
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