If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, it's more important than ever to take care of your body. One of the most important things you can do is nourish yourself with the proper vitamins and minerals. It's vital to remember that the nutritional needs of pregnant women are different from non-pregnant women. Calcium is an essential part of anyone's diet, but this is even more true for pregnant women. Read on to learn all about your requirements for calcium during pregnancy.
The Benefits of Getting Enough Calcium During Pregnancy
While it's clear that proper nutrition helps you have a healthy pregnancy, understand that each vitamin and mineral will improve your baby's growth and development in a specific way. So how does getting enough calcium contribute to a healthy pregnancy? Here are a few of the biggest benefits:
- Calcium helps your baby's bones and teeth develop. Getting enough calcium will help to strengthen your baby's developing teeth and bones.
- Calcium will boost the formation of nerves and muscles. Muscles like the heart need calcium to get stronger.
- Calcium will protect your own teeth and bones. If you aren't getting enough calcium, your body will take what it needs for the baby. It will leech calcium from your bones and teeth, weakening them.
As you can see, there's a lot to gain from making sure you're getting enough calcium while pregnant!
How Much Calcium Do Pregnant Women Need?
One of the biggest questions that pregnant women have about calcium is how much they need to consume daily for optimal health. Calcium is usually measured in milligrams, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women over age 19 consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium every day.
When aiming to get 1,000 mg of calcium in your diet, look at the amount of calcium on nutrition labels. Add up your total to get a general idea of how much calcium you're consuming and whether you need more. Remember, your body doesn't make much calcium on its own, so you must consume enough daily.
Why Calcium Helps a Pregnancy
Moms who don't consume enough calcium during pregnancy may experience some complications. When you consume plenty of calcium, it can help you have an easier pregnancy that's more comfortable for you. When it comes time to deliver your baby, if you choose to breastfeed, keep your calcium intake high while you lactate.
Below, we'll discuss a few ways that calcium can help your pregnancy.
Calcium Balance
The human body uses hormones to naturally balance calcium throughout its systems. Calcium is absorbed in the intestine and moved into and out of our bones as needed. Excess calcium is excreted through urine. Our bodies will naturally absorb more of the calcium we eat during pregnancy in order to build our baby's skeleton. It's essential to consume enough calcium for both baby and mom.
Maternal Bone Loss
As mentioned above, when you don't consume enough calcium during pregnancy, your body will do what it can to make sure the baby gets the calcium it needs to grow and develop. Your body may naturally leech calcium from your bones to provide for the baby. This can lead to maternal bone loss. Most women will regain the bone lost during pregnancy after they give birth. But don't risk it - be sure to get plenty of calcium.
Supplementation and Leg Cramps
Certain minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium can help to reduce muscle cramps. If you find that you experience cramping in your legs, it can be a sign that you aren't getting enough of these essential minerals. Up your intake to reduce cramping.
Supplementation and Hypertension
During pregnancy, some women are affected by blood pressure conditions like gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Both of these are serious health problems that can increase the risk of complications. Some research suggests that increasing your calcium intake has the potential to lower blood pressure. This may help to prevent conditions like gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Of course, it's important to discuss these conditions with your doctor to see if you're at risk and what you can do to protect yourself and your baby.
What is the Best Time to Take Supplemental Calcium During Pregnancy?
There are plenty of dietary sources of calcium. Dairy products (whole milk, yogurt, cheese), dark leafy greens (spinach, broccoli, kale, bok choy), soy products (tofu, edamame), and fish (salmon, sardines) are examples. However, it can sometimes be difficult to get all the calcium you need through your diet, especially if you're lactose intolerant or eat a vegan diet.
While some food sources like cereal and orange juice may be fortified with calcium, it can still be tough to get enough. Your body might struggle with calcium absorption when that calcium comes from certain sources.
This is why, in addition to eating a balanced diet, it's a great idea to supplement your calcium intake. Many prenatal vitamins contain calcium, but they may not be enough to meet your daily calcium needs. So, how can you supplement your calcium intake and when is the best time to take these supplements?
Calcium supplements usually come in two forms. Calcium carbonate works best when taken with food, and can be purchased quite affordably over the counter. You'll want to take this supplement with a meal or snack, so work it into your routine when it's convenient for you (i.e. every day with breakfast).
Calcium citrate works equally well with a meal or on an empty stomach, so you can take it at any point during the day. Many available calcium supplements also contain a dose of vitamin D, which helps your body better absorb the calcium.
Why are BINTO Calcium Supplements the Best?
Just like every person is different, not every calcium supplement is made the same. When you're looking to take a calcium supplement as part of your daily routine during your pregnancy, it's important to find a supplement that fits your personal needs. When looking for a calcium supplement as unique as you are, check out BINTO.
BINTO offers custom supplements that not only address nutritional needs, but can also help you deal with stress, get better sleep, and aid your digestion. Just fill out a quick survey so the professionals at BINTO can get a better understanding of your nutrition and your lifestyle. From there, you'll be matched with a supplement that fits perfectly with your lifestyle.
BINTO helps you get the calcium and other nutrients you need for a healthy, worry-free pregnancy.
We use Tricalcium Phosphate - Less Constipation
While it's important to take calcium during pregnancy, many pregnant women who do so may experience occasional side effects like bloating, gas, or constipation. This can be uncomfortable, especially for women who may be already experiencing discomfort due to their pregnancy. This is another reason why BINTO calcium supplements are the best. We use tricalcium phosphate as a calcium source, which doesn't create as much potential for constipation.
If you're struggling to get the calcium you need during your pregnancy or have been unhappy with other calcium supplements in the past, BINTO can help. All of our supplements contain only the highest-quality ingredients. You can trust that you're giving your baby a head start in life!