How to supplement calcium deficiency in late pregnancy

When pregnant women reach the late stage of pregnancy, they also need to supplement some calcium. During this period, the fetus reaches a stage of rapid growth. If the amount of calcium is insufficient, the fetus will demand it from the pregnant woman's body. When supplementing calcium in the late stage of pregnancy, it is important to supplement calcium appropriately, not the more the better. Many pregnant women worry that calcium supplementation in the late pregnancy will cause placental calcification. In fact, placental calcification refers to the degree of maturity of the placenta and has nothing to do with calcium supplementation.

How to supplement calcium deficiency in late pregnancy

When pregnant women choose calcium tablets, in addition to looking at the calcium content calculated as elemental calcium, a very important point is safety. In addition, they must also consider the product's solubility, the body's absorption and utilization rate, as well as the cost-effectiveness and taste. There are three main types of calcium tablets for pregnant women:

Inorganic calcium tablets.

Common ones include calcium carbonate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium chloride and calcium oxide. Inorganic calcium tablets are high in calcium, but have low water solubility. After entering the body, they must be dissociated into calcium ions by gastric acid before they can be absorbed and utilized by the human body. Some pregnant women who take this type of calcium tablets may experience gastrointestinal irritation symptoms.

Organic acid calcium tablets.

The main ones are calcium gluconate, calcium lactate and calcium citrate. Most organic acid calcium tablets have a low effective calcium content, but they are more water-soluble than inorganic calcium tablets and have relatively less irritation to the gastrointestinal tract of pregnant women.

Organic calcium tablets are the third generation of calcium supplements

Common ones include amino acid chelated calcium, L-calcium threonate, calcium glycinate, L-calcium aspartate, etc. Amino acid chelated calcium tablets have the advantages of high calcium content, are independent of the dissociation effect of gastric acid, and are fully absorbed and utilized. They are currently the most ideal calcium supplement for pregnant women.

When considering the calcium content of calcium tablets, it is worth noting that if you are drinking milk powder for pregnant women at the same time, you must learn to calculate the amount of calcium you consume. You can take calcium tablets alone, or you can drink milk powder or milk at the same time. The key is to control the calcium intake within a reasonable range. It is recommended not to rely too much on exogenous calcium supplements (calcium tablets).

What methods can promote calcium supplementation in late pregnancy?

1. Although the belly is already relatively large and it is inconvenient to move, pregnant women should try to get some sun every day to promote the skin's conversion of vitamin D. According to the "Dietary Reference Intakes of Chinese Residents" published by the Chinese Nutrition Society in 2000, the recommended intake of vitamin D for pregnant women in the late pregnancy is 10 micrograms. The maximum intake of vitamin D for pregnant women is 20 mg per day. If the supplement you buy is labeled with international units (IU) of vitamin D, then please note that the conversion between international units and micrograms should be based on 1 microgram = 40 IU.

2. Foods containing vitamin D include oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, and foods fortified with vitamin D, such as butter and certain breakfast cereals. Small amounts of vitamin D are also found in red meat and egg yolks.

3. In addition to food, pregnant women can buy vitamin D supplements. If you can't buy vitamin D supplements in appropriate doses, you can also choose other supplements containing vitamin D and calcium in appropriate doses. Most pregnancy multivitamin tablets also contain vitamin D, but be sure to take multivitamin tablets designed specifically for pregnancy and be careful not to take too much vitamin D. If you have any questions, be sure to consult your doctor.