Tag: Preconception health

According to the World Health Organization, more than a billion people worldwide are deficient in vitamin D, while many women of childbearing age have insufficient folate levels. Taking folic acid and vitamin D together addresses these common deficiencies, providing a powerful combination that supports vital bodily functions, including fetal development and bone density.

The baby's neural tube, which forms the brain and spinal cord, develops in the first month of pregnancy—often before a woman knows she is pregnant. This is why knowing how important are prenatals before conception is critical for giving a baby the best possible start.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that anyone who could become pregnant take a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid, even when not actively trying to conceive. This is because essential nutrients are critical during the earliest stages of fetal development, and a significant portion of the population has nutritional deficiencies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 22% of women of childbearing age do not have enough folate in their bodies to prevent certain birth defects. While primarily intended for pregnancy, doctors may prescribe or recommend prenatal vitamins if you're not pregnant for several specific, health-related reasons.

Studies have shown that extreme dieting or significant calorie deficits can suppress ovulation by disrupting hormonal balance. Understanding the body's physiological response to energy restriction is crucial when considering if you should be in a calorie deficit while trying to conceive, as it can have direct consequences on reproductive health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, which is why they recommend that all women of childbearing age take 400 mcg of folic acid daily. This recommendation is a core part of the discussion around **can prenatals still be beneficial if not pregnant?**, highlighting the importance of proper nutritional stores even when not actively trying to conceive.