Should vitamin E supplements be taken before pregnancy?

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Doctor CKI Nguyen Thi Kim Dung - Obstetrics Department - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant, helping to protect the body's cells from damage by harmful free radicals (reactive oxygen molecules). Vitamin E is fat soluble, which means that the human body has stores of Vitamin E and uses it when needed, especially for pregnant women.

1. Do you need vitamin E supplements before pregnancy?

Good physical condition plays an important role in a woman's fertility, so taking certain vitamins can help better prepare a woman for pregnancy.
In women, vitamin E can increase uterine mucus. In men, vitamin E helps sperm live longer, so taking vitamin E before pregnancy increases the chances of conception.
Vitamin E can be supplemented before 3 months of pregnancy and from the 2nd and 3rd months of pregnancy when the fetus is developing neurologically.
However, current evidence suggests that vitamin E supplementation is likely to have little effect on maternal and pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth, preeclampsia, low birth weight, and in fact may increases the risk of preterm birth. Therefore, WHO considers that vitamin E supplementation is NOT RECOMMENDED for pregnant women for the purpose of improving maternal and infant outcomes.

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2. How to supplement vitamin E for women preparing to become pregnant?

There are 2 ways to supplement vitamin E:
Through daily food and oral vitamin E supplements. Some foods rich in vitamin E that pregnant women can use such as: green vegetables, sweet potatoes, tofu, broccoli, avocado, nuts, seafood, .. Vitamin E tablets: Dosage Recommended for pregnant women is 22-30 mg/day (1mg = 15 UI) because vitamin E is in the first form easily soluble in oil, so vitamin E should be taken during or after meals..

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3. Note when supplementing with vitamin E to ensure safety for pregnancy

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), vitamin E is quite safe at commonly recommended doses during pregnancy. The recommended dose of vitamin E during pregnancy is 22-30 mg/day (1mg = 15 UI) orally after meals.
In high doses, Vitamin E is recommended to be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Several animal and tissue trials have reported that high doses of vitamin E (≥ 400 UI/day) reduce or even prevent the harmful effects of ethanol and maternal diabetes on the fetus. , however taking too high a dose can cause a stroke

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4. Side effects when taking vitamin E

Fatigue, weakness, blood clotting disorders, immunosuppression, dermatitis, creatinine in urine, changes in thyroid function, increased excretion of androgens in the urine...
Vitamin E is one of the essential vitamins for the body. Vitamin E supplementation is necessary, especially for pregnant women and, above all, infertile women. However, the dosage and supplement of vitamin E in any way (diet or tablet) should be fully consulted by a specialist.
Vinmec International General Hospital has pre-pregnancy examination and counseling for both husband and wife. Customers can schedule an appointment for a full consultation on health and nutrition to prepare for a healthy pregnancy.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

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This article is written for readers from Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.