What makes Pregnavit® different?
Prenatal vitamins for vegetarian and vegan diets
What makes Pregnavit® different?
One way to evaluate a prenatal is to look at what it is designed to provide rather than simply counting ingredients.
Pregnavit Original combines prenatal vitamins and minerals with:
L-methylfolate
Iron
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
Iodine
Zinc
Magnesium
Other vitamins and minerals
Pregnavit Plus adds DHA through its Omega-3 component.
This gives Newnesscare two formulations for consumers with different preferences.
Is the most expensive prenatal the best?
Not necessarily.
Price alone doesn't determine whether a prenatal is appropriate.
Compare the:
Nutrient profile
Amounts per serving
Serving size
Form of nutrients
DHA content
Iron content
Directions
Quality information
Overall suitability for your needs
A higher price does not automatically mean a better prenatal.
Is the cheapest prenatal the best?
The same principle applies.
A lower price can be attractive, but don't compare products based solely on cost.
A better comparison is cost per recommended daily serving alongside the
nutritional formulation.
What about "natural" prenatal vitamins?
"Natural" is not a complete quality assessment.
A prenatal should be evaluated based on its ingredients, nutrient amounts, manufacturing standards, safety information and suitability for the individual.
Marketing language alone doesn't tell you whether a prenatal is appropriate.
What about synthetic vitamins?
The word "synthetic" doesn't automatically mean unsafe or ineffective.
Different nutrients can be produced or sourced in different ways.
Instead of relying on a simple natural-versus-synthetic label, examine the complete formulation and available evidence.
Prenatal vitamins for vegetarian and vegan diets
People following vegetarian or vegan diets should pay particular attention to nutrients such as:
Vitamin B12
Iron
Folate
Iodine
Vitamin D
DHA
Some prenatal formulations may not provide everything you need.
Review the label and discuss your dietary pattern with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian.
Prenatal vitamins for people with low iron
If you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency or anemia, don't simply choose the prenatal with the highest iron content.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a specific iron treatment strategy.
If your prenatal already contains iron, make sure your additional supplements don't unnecessarily duplicate it.
Prenatal vitamins and folic acid
This deserves special attention.
A prenatal containing L-methylfolate isn't necessarily equivalent to one providing the folic acid specifically recommended by Health Canada.
If you're choosing a prenatal with L-methylfolate, discuss your folic acid needs with your healthcare provider.
This is particularly important if you're planning pregnancy.
What should you avoid when choosing a prenatal?
Be cautious about choosing a prenatal solely because it claims to be:
"The #1 prenatal"
"The strongest prenatal"
"The most complete prenatal"
"The cleanest prenatal"
"The most advanced prenatal"
Unless the claim is independently substantiated, marketing language isn't a substitute for evidence.
Instead, compare the actual formulation.
How to compare prenatal vitamins in Canada
|
Use this simple table when evaluating products: Question |
What to check |
|
Does it contain folic acid? |
Form and amount |
|
Does it contain folate? |
Form and amount |
|
Does it contain iron? |
Elemental iron |
|
Does it contain B12? |
Amount and form |
|
Does it contain vitamin D? |
Amount |
|
Does it contain iodine? |
Amount |
|
Does it contain DHA? |
Actual DHA amount |
|
How often do I take it? |
Daily serving |
|
Does it fit my diet? |
Dietary considerations |
|
Am I taking other supplements? |
Ingredient duplication |
|
Do I have special health needs? |
Professional guidance |
Questions to ask before choosing a prenatal
Before purchasing a prenatal, ask:
1. Does it meet my folic acid needs?
2. How much elemental iron does it provide?
3. Does it contain vitamin B12?
4. Does it contain iodine and vitamin D?
5. Does it include DHA
6. How many capsules or tablets do I take each day?
7. Am I taking other supplements with overlapping nutrients?
8. Does my healthcare provider recommend a particular formulation?
These questions are more useful than simply asking which product has the most ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best prenatal vitamins in Canada?
There is no single prenatal that is best for everyone. The right choice depends on your nutritional needs, diet, health circumstances and healthcare provider's recommendations.
What should I look for in a prenatal vitamin?
Consider folate or folic acid, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine and DHA if desired, along with the complete formulation and serving size.
When should I start prenatal vitamins?
If you're planning pregnancy, discuss prenatal supplementation before conception. Health Canada recommends starting folic acid supplementation at least three months before conception when pregnancy is planned.
How much folic acid should I take before pregnancy?
Health Canada recommends a daily multivitamin containing 400 mcg of folic acid for people who could become pregnant.
Should prenatal vitamins contain iron?
Many do, and iron is an important nutrient during pregnancy. The appropriate amount depends on the individual.
What is elemental iron?
Elemental iron is the actual amount of iron provided by an iron compound.
Should a prenatal contain DHA?
Not necessarily. DHA can be obtained through diet or supplementation. If you want DHA in your prenatal, compare the actual DHA amount.
Is a one-a-day prenatal better?
Not automatically. One-a-day products can be convenient, but the nutritional formulation matters more than the number of capsules.
Are prenatal gummies better?
Not necessarily. Compare the nutrient profile, especially iron, folate, B12, iodine and vitamin D.
Does Pregnavit Original contain iron?
Yes. Newnesscare currently lists 35 mg elemental iron per capsule.
Does Pregnavit Original contain folate?
Yes. Newnesscare currently lists 600 mcg L-methylfolate per capsule.
Does Pregnavit Plus contain DHA?
Yes. Newnesscare currently lists 300 mg DHA in its Omega-3 component.
Is Pregnavit Original one of the best prenatal vitamins in Canada?
Newnesscare encourages consumers to compare the formulation against their individual needs. Pregnavit Original provides a broad prenatal vitamin-and-mineral formulation with L-methylfolate and iron.
Can I take Pregnavit before pregnancy?
Pregnavit Original is intended for nutritional support before conception and during pregnancy. Discuss your prenatal choice with your healthcare provider, particularly regarding your folic acid needs.
A simple prenatal comparison strategy
If you're overwhelmed by dozens of prenatal products, narrow your choices in five steps.
Step 1: Check folate
Identify whether the product contains folic acid, L-methylfolate or another folate formulation.
Step 2: Check iron
Look for elemental iron.
Step 3: Check the complete nutrient profile
Review B12, vitamin D, iodine and other nutrients.12
Step 4: Decide whether you want DHA
If yes, compare actual DHA amounts.
Step 5: Check suitability
Consider your diet, medical history, other supplements and healthcare provider's recommendations.
The bottom line
The best prenatal vitamin in Canada isn't necessarily the product with the highest number of ingredients, the highest price or the most aggressive marketing.
A better approach is to choose a formulation that fits your nutritional needs and can be taken consistently.
Before choosing, compare:
Folate or folic acid
Iron
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Iodine
DHA
Serving size
Directions
Other supplements
Individual health requirements
Newnesscare's Pregnavit Original provides prenatal vitamins and minerals with
L-methylfolate and iron.
Pregnavit Plus adds an Omega-3 DHA component.
# Explore Pregnavit Original
# Explore Pregnavit Plus
Important information
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Pregnancy and preconception nutritional requirements vary between individuals. Speak with your doctor, midwife, pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing nutritional supplements.
Always read the current product label and follow the recommended directions for use.