If you’re pregnant or planning to be, you will need a substantial boost in your daily vitamin and mineral intake. While folic acid is considered essential, other nutrients also play a vital role in helping build a healthy baby.

If you’re planning a baby, you’ll know that folic acid can help prevent defects of the brain and spinal cord, known as neural tube defects.

But an increase in folic acid isn’t all that you and your baby will need.

Getting these nutrients in the right combination, in the right amount, can help give your baby a healthier start to life.

KEY VITAMINS AND MINERALS

• Folic acid (800mcg) – Essential for developing the baby’s brain, spinal cord and skeleton, folic acid is recommended by the Ministry of Health to help prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, which occurs when the two sides of the baby’s spine fail to close properly.

• Iron – Helps carry oxygen in the blood, liver, muscles, tissues and cell enzymes, helping prevent anaemia. It also assists in the production of thyroid hormones that help regulate metabolism.

OTHER NUTRIENTS NEEDED
B-group vitamins are particularly useful in pregnancy, assisting the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and fats; they also support central nervous system function.

Zinc can help prevent congenital abnormalities, low birthweight and impaired development.

And calcium is important for strong bones and teeth, while assisting muscle contraction, normal gland function and heart beat regulation.

WHAT IS ELEVIT?
All of the forementioned vitamins can be found in Elevit – the only pregnancy supplement clinically proven to reduce neural tube defects by 92%*.

Elevit combines 18 vitamins and minerals, including 800mcg of folic acid – as recommended by the Ministry of Health – and 60mg of iron to prevent dietary iron deficiency.

To help give your baby the healthiest start to life, Elevit should be taken at least three months before and during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. FHD

ELEVIT BENEFITS

• Clinically proven
• Reduces neural tube defects by 92%*
• Gluten-free
• Once-a-day tablet

*Data available upon request. Elevit tablets are a pharmacy medicine. The New Zealand formulation of Elevit is the same as that used in the Czeizel study except that it does not contain vitamin A. Supplementary to and  not a replacement for a balanced diet. Medicines have benefits and some may have risks. Always read the label  and use strictly as directed. Consult your  pharmacist to  see if Elevit is right for you. If you have side-effects, see your healthcare professional. Visit www.medsafe.govt. nz for Elevit consumer medicine information. Bayer New Zealand Ltd, Auckland. TAPS3162


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