This is the danger if pregnant women consume excessive vitamin A & bull; hello healthy

Pregnant women need vitamin A, which functions for healthy vision, immune function, and growth and development of the fetus in the womb. Vitamin A deficiency in pregnant women can cause birth defects. However, excess vitamin A can also have a negative impact on the health of the fetus.

Why is excess vitamin A dangerous for pregnant women?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the body, especially in the liver. If the amount is excess, this excess will accumulate in the body. Vitamin A comes in two forms, namely the preform form of vitamin A (retinol) and provitamin A (carotene). Foods that provide vitamin A in preform form include meat, liver, milk, fish, eggs, and fortified cereals. Meanwhile, vitamin A which is available in fruits and vegetables is in the form of carotene.

During pregnancy, it is advisable not to consume too much vitamin A in the form of preform vitamin A because it is absorbed more quickly and is slower to be eliminated in the body. The limit for the amount of vitamin A that is safe for consumption is no more than 10,000 IU. Consumption of vitamin A in the form of preform at high doses can cause birth defects and liver poisoning. You can get vitamin A in preform form from animal food sources, foods that have been fortified with vitamin A, and also from vitamin A supplements. However, you can still eat fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin A in the form of carotene as much as possible.

1. Birth defects

Deficiency or excess of vitamin A can cause birth defects. However, not all forms of vitamin A can cause birth defects. The preform form of vitamin A can cause birth defects, but the carotene form of vitamin A cannot cause birth defects. Babies born with this defect are commonly known as retinoic acid syndrome, which includes the central nervous system, craniofacial, cardiovascular, and thymus malformations.

Birth defects themselves are structural changes that occur at birth that can affect almost any part of the body, such as the heart, brain, and feet. This disease can change the appearance of the body and occur in varying degrees, from mild to severe.

The association of vitamin A with birth defects is still being questioned by a number of experts. The evidence for humans is still limited. Research published by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology actually proves that there is no association between consumption of vitamin A at doses> 8000 IU or> 10000 IU per day before pregnancy and general malformations. cranial neural crest defects , or neural tube defects . However, many experts also say that consuming too much vitamin A (more than 10000 IU / 3 mg per day) can cause birth defects.

From the pros and cons, there is nothing wrong with being in the dark, it is true that something excessive is not good for the body. What you should pay attention to is the consumption of vitamin A during pregnancy, whether you need supplements to meet their needs or with daily food alone is enough to meet them. We recommend that you consult with your doctor whether it is safe for you to take vitamin A in terms of your food intake and your daily needs. You must pay attention to the dosage of supplements that you are taking.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should:

• Avoid taking supplements containing vitamin A, such as fish liver oil, unless you are advised by your doctor
• Avoid eating liver because it is high in vitamin A, you can get vitamin A from other food sources, such as fruits and vegetables

2. Hypervitaminosis A

During pregnancy, mothers need a lot of additional nutrients to support the growth and development of the fetus in the womb. This may make you want to take supplements that provide instant nutritional needs for both you and your baby. Pregnancy supplements may be needed for pregnant women under certain conditions, meaning that not all pregnant women need supplements.

Too many supplements, especially vitamin A supplements, can actually cause vitamin poisoning. Just like birth defects, vitamin A poisoning is also caused by high consumption of vitamin A in the preform form. Vitamin A poisoning is known as hypervitaminosis A. Hypervitaminosis A is divided into two, namely acute and chronic hypervitaminosis A. Acute hypervitaminosis occurs shortly after taking very high doses of vitamin A. Chronic hypervitaminosis occurs when high amounts of vitamin A build up in the body over a long period of time.

Hypervitaminosis can cause damage to the liver and increase pressure on the brain. Signs that you have acute hypervitaminosis A are headache, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Meanwhile, if you have chronic hypervitaminosis A, it includes headaches, blurred vision, sore bones and aches, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, dry and rough skin, and itching and peeling.

How to take vitamin A safely during pregnancy?

If you want to take vitamin A supplements while pregnant, you should first consult with your doctor. Why? Vitamin A supplements or prenatal vitamins in high doses can harm the fetus. Most of the prenatal vitamins contain vitamin A in the form of beta carotene or the form of vitamin preform A in high doses. Supplements such as fish liver oil also contain high doses of vitamin A. If you are taking supplements, make sure they contain no more than 1.5 mg or 5000 IU of vitamin A and that you are also taking vitamin A from food.

Also, avoid eating liver because the liver is high in vitamin A. You should consume liver no more than once per week and avoid taking vitamin A supplements if you are already consuming liver. One more thing that is important is that pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant should stay away from the acne drug isotretinoin and other drugs that contain retinol (a form of vitamin A).