There is a greater need for calcium supplementation among pregnant women, survey finds

GREENWICH, Conn. – Pregnant women are recommended to intake 1,000 mg of calcium daily in their diets to help support the development of baby’s bones, nerves and muscles however, roughly 68% of women are calcium deficient. 

 

Prenatal vitamins, which supply important nutrients to pregnant women such as folic acid, often come up short on calcium.  In fact, many multivitamins, prenatal vitamins and mineral supplements provide only 20%-30% of the recommended amount of calcium for women who are pregnant. As a result, a new survey of 1,000 OB/GYN’s nationwide found that these doctors report discussing calcium needs almost twice as much to pregnant women as they do to menopausal women. The majority of OB/GYN’s surveyed (68%) suggest pregnant women take an additional calcium supplement and of those, 87% recommend Viactiv.

 

“Pregnant women are urged to meet their daily calcium requirements – 1000 mg - in order to preserve their own bone mass while baby is developing,” stated Heidi Diller, registered dietician-nutritionist and expert for Viactiv. “Unborn babies need calcium for bone development, and if not enough is present in mom’s daily diet, this calcium is pulled directly from calcium stores in her own bones, putting her at risk for osteoporosis as she gets older.”  

 

In addition, the Institute of Medicine also recommends 600 IU per day of Vitamin D for pregnant women. Ongoing research suggests this need may be even higher for improving maternal and infant Vitamin D status. 

 

To help supplement the necessary dietary nutrition expecting mothers require, Viactiv is currently distributing more than 200,000 samples to OB/GYN locations nationwide. Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews (500 mg of calcium and 500 IU of Vitamin D) taken twice daily provides 100% of the daily value of calcium for most pregnant women plus vitamins D and K, noted Viactive Lifestyles, distributor of Viactiv.