Vitamins for Moms
Heeding your mother’s advice to take daily vitamins is beneficial to your health, research shows. Vitamins are responsible for cell reactions inside your body and all of them have very specific functions. Supplements are important because simply eating food is usually not enough to get essential vitamins. The most economic and efficient way to receive these important vitamins is through taking daily multivitamins. Here are some of the most important supplements to include in your daily diet and their suggested portion sizes according to Prevention Magazine’s Elizabeth Somer, RD.:
Vitamin A (up to 5,000 IU)—antioxidant that maintains healthy tissue, helps healthy bone and tooth growth and protects vision
Vitamin D (200 IU, amount increases with age)—strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis
Vitamin E (over 30 IU)—antioxidant that helps with the formation of red blood cells and maintains cell membranes
Vitamin K (90 mcg)—prevents blood clotting and strengthens bones
Folic Acid (400 mcg, amount increases for those pregnant and nursing)—supports cell growth and prevents anemia and birth defects
Vitamin B6 (2 mg)—strengthens immunity and helps produce hormones as well as boosts metabolism
Vitamin B12 (2.4 mcg, amount increases for those pregnant and nursing)—prevents heart disease, memory loss, anemia and depression
Vitamin C (75 mg, amount increases for smokers and those pregnant or nursing)—antioxidant that promotes quick healing, boosts immunity and aids in alertness and concentration
Calcium (1000 mg, amount increases with age)—helps prevent osteoporosis and high blood pressure
Iron (18 mg, amount increases for those pregnant and decreases for menopausal women)—prevents fatigue, strengthens immunity and maintains memory
Magnesium (400 mg)—regulates blood pressure, aids nerve transmission, immune function and bone formation
A Brighter Smile
No one would mind having a brighter, whiter smile. Luckily, there are a few different options for Kansas City moms to get just that. The American Dental Association (ADA) has approved three methods to whiten your smile: whitening toothpastes, in-home bleaching and in-office bleaching. Using whitening toothpastes simply removes surface stains from the teeth without actually bleaching them, but can be effective if you are only seeking a small amount of improvement. At-home bleaching solutions can contain peroxides that bleach tooth enamel and can be used in gel form in a mouth guard for various amounts of time. Another option for at-home bleaching is to use the white strips commonly found in drug stores. According to a study by Good Housekeeping, the most effective over-the-counter kits include Aquafresh White Trays, Crest Whitestrips Daily Multicare, Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips and Crest Whitestrips Premium.
In-office bleaching can require multiple visits and consists of applying a bleaching agent to the teeth then using a special light to enhance the bleach’s action. This bleaching method usually yields the best results but is often on the pricey side.
Common side effects of all types of teeth whitening treatments include tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. If these conditions persist, use the whitening substance less frequently. If you are unsure of which approach to use, ask your dentist to recommend the best whitening treatment for you.
Kelly Nelson is an intern for KC Parent Magazine. She is studying Journalism and Spanish at the University of Missouri.