Vitamin C in Pregnancy: Importance and Side Effects

Vitamin C is vital to the human body as it helps build the immune system and the connective tissues. There are many whose intake of this essential vitamin is limited and hence they suffer from poor health and bleeding gums. Pregnant women are already at risk as parts of their immune system are suppressed by hormones and need collagen for the baby’s growth. Vitamin C then comes as a saving grace that can help boost the immunity of pregnant women.

Why is Vitamin C Important during Pregnancy?

Being a mother is one of the most beautiful feelings in the world and a huge change in the body. It indeed is important to heed these changes and take good care of the woman’s health which in turn takes care of the baby’s health. It is amazing that certain vitamins and minerals can prove to be beneficial during pregnancy. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is one such vitamin. This water-soluble vitamin is not produced by the body and needs to be consumed in certain amounts. It is naturally available in abundance to us in many vegetables and citrus fruits.

• Vitamin C benefits range from boosting the immune system to even combating cancer.
• It is well known for fighting against cold and flu viruses.
• It improves the absorption of iron and other minerals from food.
• It lowers the risk of cataract.
• It helps improve the process of wound healing.
• The role of vitamin C in pregnancy is mainly to promote the formation of collagen which is the primary component of connective tissues. This helps in healthy growth and development of the baby’s organs.
• Vitamin C and pregnancy are in accord as it is necessary for maintaining healthy skin, proper growth of bones and fight against infections.

How much Vitamin C do you require during Pregnancy?

Regulating one’s vitamin C intake is important. For women, the per-day intake as per National Institutes of Health (NIH) is 65-75 milligrams. During pregnancy, it is recommended to consume about 80-85 milligrams per day. This range increases to 115-120 milligrams per day for breastfeeding mothers.

Signs of Vitamin C Deficiency

Signs of vitamin C deficiency can be vague but do exist. Slow or delayed wound healing and swollen or bleeding gums are two signs that indicate the inadequacy of vitamin c. Besides this, a weak immune system, inflamed joints and increased bruising can also be symptoms of ascorbic acid deficiency. Although rare, severe vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy.

Best Food Sources of Vitamin C

Listed below are natural foods which have a high Vitamin C content:

1. Vegetables:

Tomato, pepper (red, yellow and green), cabbage, kale, broccoli, sweet potato, cauliflower.

2. Fruits:

Fruits rich in vitamin C include orange, lemon, and tangerine. Berries, apples, grapes, apricots, persimmons, peaches, strawberries and mango also have good vitamin C content. They can be consumed directly or consumed as juices.

3. Animal Sources:

Meat, fish and milk have sufficient ascorbic acid content. Lamb liver/heart(11-12mg    /100g), calf(11mg/100g), human milk(4mg/100g), cow milk(2mg/100g)

4. Briar (Thorny Bush):

Usually brewed and can be had as tea, it is a good source of vitamin C.

5. Green leaves:

Parsley is rich in vitamin C

Vitamin Rich Food Sources with Quantity

Source: “Canadian Nutrient File 2015”
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/fiche-nutri-data/index-eng.php
[Accessed October 17, 2016].

Are Vitamin C Supplements Safe to Consume during Pregnancy?

Consuming them during daily meals in a well-balanced diet is the safest way and is sufficient to meet the required needs. Some studies have shown that high vitamin C supplement consumption can increase the risk of premature birth. There are also some reports of babies developing scurvy due to mothers taking vitamin C supplements. Therefore, you should consult a physician before taking any supplements.

Side Effects Of having Excessive Vitamin C

Since vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, it is not stored in our body and any excess is excreted. Still, it is important to keep in mind not to consume extremely high dosage (>2000 milligrams). Here are a few effects of vitamin C overdose in pregnancy:

• Diarrhoea
• Kidney stones
• Abdominal cramps
• Higher risk of high blood pressure for the mother

Another concern for pregnant women is, can too much vitamin C cause miscarriage? Although there have been instances of women suffering from miscarriages, there is no scientific proof that this is caused by Vitamin C. Pregnancy is a time when women need to protect their bodies and a healthy amount of this nutrient can help keep problems like low immunity at bay.

Vitamin C plays a crucial role in forming collagen and is required for healthy development of the baby. The healthiest way to intake vitamin C is by including vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables in the daily diet.