Calcium vs. Iron: How to Balance Both During Pregnancy

Calcium is essential for developing your babys teeth and bones. It also supports the healthy functioning of the heart, nerves and muscles. It also helps maintain your own bone density as your baby redirects calcium to the growing baby.

During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by about 50%, which increases your iron needs significantly. Pregnant women require about 27mg of iron daily, making iron tablets a common prenatal supplement. If your intake is insufficient, your body will draw calcium from your bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

Calcium and Iron: Know their importance in pregnancy

Calcium in pregnancy is essential for the formation of your babys bones, teeth, heart, nerves and muscles. It also support the bone density in your body as redirects calcium to the developing baby. When your calcium intake is less, your body will take the calcium from your bones, raising the risk of osteoporosis in the future. Pregnant women need approximately 1,000 mg of calcium daily to nourish their developing baby without compromising their own reserves.

On the other hand, iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to your tissues and your baby. Your blood capacity expands by roughly 50% during pregnancy, which increases your iron needs.

Pregnant women needs approximately 27 mg of iron per day; therefore, iron tablet is an ideal prenatal supplement.

The challenge: Iron and Calcium dont interact well

While both the nutrients are crucial, they dont always play well together in the digestive system. Calcium can inhibit the absorption of iron, especially non-heme iron found in plant-based foods and supplements.

This implies that taking iron tablets and calcium supplements during pregnancy at the same time can reduce their effectiveness.

Ways to balance iron and calcium during pregnancy

Separate supplement timing: The best approach to having maximum absorption is to take iron and calcium prenatal vitamins at different times during a day.

1. Take iron tablets on an empty stomach: Iron supplements are absorbed most when taken on an empty stomach or together with a source of vitamin C (like orange juice) to enhance absorption.

2. Separate calcium and iron intake: Space out iron supplements and calcium tablets at least 2 hours apart. For instance- take your iron tablet in the morning and your calcium supplement for dinner and lunch.

3. Consume food wisely- Take calcium rich foods such as dairy, leafy vegetables and fortified foods in a different meal from iron-rich foods such as red meat, legumes and fortified cereals. Refrain from consuming iron supplements with calcium-fortified meals.

Knowing supplement levels

Check your prenatal vitamins , many contain calcium and iron in them, which may not be ideal if you at the risk of anemia or low bone density. In such cases, your doctor may suggest taking separate iron and calcium supplements while pregnant to have better control over the time and dosage.

Signs of deficiency

Iron deficiency in pregnancy can cause anemia, which results in fatigue, dizziness and breathlessness. Whereas calcium deficiency may present through muscle cramps, osteoporosis or teeth issues.

Trimacare prenatal multivitamin: The most reliable IFC supplement

Trimacare pregnancy multivitamin consists of three packs per trimester that give pregnant women and their baby the necessary nutrients. They have calcium for bone and tooth development, muscle contraction, hormone control, and nerve cell activity, with Trimacare 2 and Trimacare 3 prenatal tablets having 500 mg of calcium.

Trimacare pregnancy supplement is India's first multivitamin that gives trimester-specific care and pregnancy requirements. It has Time-Release Iron, lowering gastrointestinal discomfort and bloating. It also has bowel regulator to reduce pregnancy constipation. Trimacare prenatal pill prevents stool blacking and promotes pregnancy-related well-being.

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