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25 Ingredients Of The Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin

By: Sabrina Granniss, IBCLC

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11 min

Your prenatal and postnatal vitamin supplement needs all the nutrients to support every stage of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding for mom and baby. High-quality ingredients in their most bioavailable form ensure you and your baby have the best start.


When prenatal vitamins are started before becoming pregnant, they can support your overall nutritional profile and fertility. During your pregnancy, prenatal vitamins support your body's increased needs and contribute to the healthy development of your baby. After birth, your body works hard to make milk for your baby. Prenatal and postnatal vitamins help support nutrient levels important for breast milk quality and overall maternal health during breastfeeding. (27)


Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin has 25 ingredients, more than double what most prenatal supplements offer. Each ingredient is essential in supporting both mother and baby from conception through the entire postpartum period.


Get to know the ingredients!

  • Benefits for mom & baby

  • How they contribute to fertility, pregnancy, and lactation

  • Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for pregnancy and lactation

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a role in supporting cellular health by helping to protect cells from oxidative damage. It also contributes to maintaining normal blood function and may help support reproductive health during pregnancy and healthy growth for your baby. (1) Extra Vitamin E is needed during lactation to replace the amount secreted in breast milk.

Vitamin E helps support your baby’s muscles, cardiovascular system, and nerves. Although it is rare, if your baby does not have enough Vitamin E from your breast milk, it can affect their metabolism and muscle growth. (28)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 15 mg

  • Lactation 19 mg 

Thiamine (B1)

A deficiency in Thiamine is not common but can be a risk if you have excessive vomiting during your pregnancy. Thiamine helps your body convert glucose to energy. It builds the nervous system and muscles and is critical for your baby’s brain development. (29)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy & lactation 1.4 mg

Riboflavin (B2)

Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin that supports the growth of your baby, healthy skin, eyesight, and bone, muscle, and nerve development. Consuming riboflavin helps maintain its recommended level, which is important for overall health during pregnancy and may support healthy blood pressure levels, a factor related to preeclampsia. (30)(31)

While vitamin B2 deficiency is rare, people with thyroid conditions or who are anemic are at a higher risk and should make sure their prenatal and postnatal vitamins contain riboflavin.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 1.4 mg

  • Lactation 1.6 mg

Niacin (B3)

Another of the B vitamins is responsible for helping convert food into energy. During pregnancy, it plays a role in proper cell functioning, cell signaling, and making and repairing DNA.

(7)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 18 mg

  • Lactation 17 mg

Vitamin B6

Since the 1940s, vitamin B6 has been used to help manage symptoms of nausea during morning sickness. (9)


It supports your baby’s brain and nervous system development and can support healthy birth weight. (8)


Vitamin B6 during lactation may help mothers experiencing nipple vasospasms, Raynaud’s, and postpartum depression. Taking too much vitamin B6 may reduce supply, so it is always best to talk with your IBCLC or healthcare provider before taking more than the Recommended Daily Allowance. (10)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 1.9 mg

  • Lactation 2 mg

Folate (Vitamin B9)

During pregnancy, folate is crucial for the baby’s brain, nerves, healthy spine, and spinal cord development. (32) A folate deficiency can lead to serious neural tube defects in babies.


Natural folate can generally cross the placenta and be available to the fetus at a higher rate than folic acid. Folate as folic acid may even block the body’s receptors from utilizing active natural folate.


Methylation is critical for keeping our body running smoothly. Methylation happens in almost every cell in our body and can turn on and off different genes affecting what gets expressed and what does not. (5) L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium is a natural form of folate that is already active and doesn’t require the body to go through the taxing process of converting it to an active form.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 600 mcg DFE

  • Lactation 500 mcg DFE

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is essential for normal nerve function and may help maintain a healthy mood after childbirth. It helps elevate your mood and increase your energy which is helpful during your pregnancy and after as you adjust to your growing family life. When B-12 is taken with folate, both vitamins together support proper fetal development. (4)


During breastfeeding, babies need vitamin B-12 for their neurological development. (33) A mom’s deficiency in B-12 while breastfeeding can put the baby at risk for anemia. Vitamin B-12, as Methylcobalamin, is generally the form most easily used by the body.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 2.2 mcg

  • Lactation 2.8 mcg

Biotin

Biotin is essential for fertility and adequate biotin levels are important for reproductive health. Biotin keeps your hair, skin, and nails healthy during and after pregnancy. It supports a healthy intestinal microbiome keeping candida in check. For your baby, biotin is critical for growth. (6)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 30 mcg

  • Lactation 35 mcg

Choline

This essential nutrient is necessary for the structure of developing cells and brain development. (11) Many prenatal vitamins leave this critical nutrient out. Yet, it is needed for every stage of the baby’s development. Choline should be taken before and during pregnancy and continued throughout breastfeeding.


Choline in breast milk remains constant during the first year. It is vital to your baby’s brain development in utero and after birth. Choline is involved in synapse formation and memory. (34)


During lactation, choline supports breast health, promotes milk flow, and can support normal milk flow and breast comfort.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 450 mg

  • Lactation 550 mg

Iron

Your blood volume is increased by almost 50% when you are pregnant, and your requirement for iron also increases. (12) For this reason, beginning your prenatal vitamins before conceiving is important. Proper iron levels deliver oxygen throughout the body's cells, tissues, and organs, helping you function your best. Insufficient iron may contribute to anemia, which has been linked to an increased risk pf preterm birth.


In the last trimester, your baby stores up iron that they will use for the first 4-6 months of their life until solid foods are introduced. Sufficient iron levels are crucial to your baby’s energy level after birth. If they are sleepy, it is harder to rouse them to feed, and low weight gain can become an issue. (13) Iron bisglycinate is a highly bioavailable form of iron that supports healthy iron levels, which are essential for preventing anemia in newborns. (2)


In the Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin, iron is in the morning dose separated from zinc, and magnesium is in the nighttime dose for optimal absorption of each.


In one study, higher doses of zinc reduced iron absorption by about 50% (14)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 27 mg

  • Lactation 9 mg

Iodine

Your body doesn’t produce iodine. It must be acquired from food or supplements. Iodine supports your thyroid and breast growth and development during pregnancy. (35) Increased iodine is needed during pregnancy because some is transferred to the fetus.


Iodine is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies worldwide. (16) The baby needs iodine to develop the brain and central nervous system.


A 50% increase in iodine is recommended during pregnancy for sufficient thyroid hormones and to meet the growing fetus’s needs. (16)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 220-290 mcg

  • Lactation 290 mcg

Selenium

Selenium is a trace mineral required before and in early pregnancy. It is an antioxidant that supports cell growth and helps protect against cell damage. (15)


The thyroid is a control center for hormones like prolactin and oxytocin during lactation. Prolactin is the primary milk-making hormone, and oxytocin is the hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex. When your thyroid is not functioning, it can lead to a delay in milk production and a low milk supply.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 65 mcg

  • Lactation 75 mcg

Copper

Trace minerals like copper support fertility and general reproductive health. Copper is needed for your baby’s growth in utero, myelination, and connective tissue development. (36) Copper helps your baby’s heart, blood vessels, and skeletal and nervous system form.


Copper may prevent miscarriage and reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (20)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy & lactation 1,300 mcg

Manganese

Mom’s manganese levels may impact the baby’s weight at birth. During pregnancy, it helps with healthy early fetal development. (20)(37)


For your baby, manganese helps form their bones and cartilage. It is necessary for brain and nerve function and aids calcium absorption and regulating blood sugar.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 2 mg

  • Lactation 2.6 mg

Chromium

Chromium may help lower and regulate insulin levels and lower testosterone levels, which can stimulate ovulation for people with PCOS who find it difficult to conceive. Chromium is a trace mineral that helps break down and store carbohydrates, fat, and protein. (38)


The body best absorbs chromium in a chelated form.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 29-30 mcg

  • Lactation 44-45 mcg

Molybdenum

This trace mineral plays a role in various enzymatic processes within the body, contributing to overall metabolic health. In the body, Molybdenum is found in the liver, kidneys, glands, skin, muscles, lungs, spleen, and bones. (21)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy & lactation 50 mcg

DHA

This omega-3 fatty acid is critical for your baby’s brain, heart, and eye development. (22) It supports a healthy immune system and, surprisingly, is not in all prenatal vitamins. It supports overall maternal health during pregnancy and may contribute to a healthy mood.


Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin’s DHA is sourced from algae oil, a vegan DHA that is easier to tolerate than fish oil. Taking a prenatal vitamin with DHA can increase the amount of DHA in the mother’s breast milk.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy & lactation 200 mg

Vitamin A

Two forms of vitamin A are in Dynamic Duo Prenatal supplements. Most vegan or vegetarian prenatal supplements only provide Vitamin A from beta carotene. Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin has a 1:1 ratio of vegan beta carotene and vegan retinyl palmitate for optimal retinal and visual support.


Vitamin A is used by the organs and for our senses to communicate with the brain. (40) It is needed to form the heart, eyes, ears, and limbs and for proper cellular differentiation and signaling. Not enough vitamin A can increase the risk of getting infections and poor night vision. (41)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 770 mcg

  • Lactation 1300 mcg

Vitamin C

Vitamin C aids in the body’s ability to absorb iron. It helps with collagen production for healthy bones, tendons, teeth, and skin. Vitamin C boosts the immune system and promotes tissue repair and wound healing.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 85 mg

  • Lactation 120 mg

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is important for everyone at every age. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids in the absorption of the mineral calcium from your intestines and then into your bloodstream. Without enough vitamin D3, you are at higher risk for bone fractures and poor oral health. (18) It may also help with symptoms of eczema.


Vitamin D is critical for developing strong teeth, bones, and brain size. (42) A baby's vitamin D in utero depends on the mom’s levels. If you are deficient in Vitamin D, the baby will also be low. Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium. 


Not all Vitamin D is the same. Vitamin D3 is more usable by the body than D2. Vitamin D3 has a longer half-life and, therefore, stays in the body longer. It can raise levels better than D2.


Many mothers are deficient in Vitamin D, and their breastmilk doesn't supply their babies with an adequate amount. (43) Because of this, mothers either need to test their vitamin D serum levels and supplement themselves with the recommended up to 6400 IU/day or give their baby a vitamin D3 supplement. (19)


A systematic review of controlled clinical trials, which included a large number of children, showed that sufficient vitamin D levels could protect against dental cavities. Vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of developing dental cavities in about 47% of children. (17)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 600 IU

  • Lactation 600 IU or up to 6400 IU depending on if you are not giving your baby vitamin D3 directly

Vitamin K2

For vitamin D3 to be able to be used in the body, it needs vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 directs the calcium to your bones. Without K2, the calcium can build in your arteries and not reach your bones. (3)


For babies, vitamin K helps in proper blood coagulation, protects cell membranes, and gives cells their structure. (44)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy & lactation 90 mcg

Calcium

During pregnancy, your body will pull calcium from your bones to support your baby’s skeletal and bone development. (45) While breastfeeding, women can lose 3-5% of their bone mass. Getting enough calcium in your prenatal vitamin helps replenish your calcium levels and keep your bones strong and healthy. (25)


RDA:

  • Pregnancy & lactation 1 g

Magnesium

Magnesium citrate is an easily absorbed form of magnesium. It helps with constipation with a mild laxative effect. (23) It can help with nausea, memory, and tired muscles. Taking magnesium at night helps you relax and get a more restful night's sleep. Magnesium plays a role in supporting healthy blood pressure levels during pregnancy and contributes to normal fetal growth.


During breastfeeding, magnesium can help tame overactive milk ejection, calm muscle cramps and reduce stress. (46)


Magnesium Citrate is the source of magnesium in Dynamic Duo.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 400 mg

  • Lactation 360 mg

Zinc

Zinc is needed for immune system development and function, and healthy weight gain in your baby. (24) Zinc balances your gut bacteria and promotes healthy skin. Adequate zinc levels are important for proper fetal development, particularly in the formation of the nervous system.


Zinc and iron should be taken at different times since they compete with each other. (47) A prenatal vitamin like Legendairy Milk’s Dynamic Duo separates iron and zinc. There is iron in the daytime dose and zinc in the nighttime dose.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy 11 mg

  • Lactation 12 mg

Boron

Boron promotes vaginal health, healthy estrogen levels, and hormonal balance. (48) It aids calcium absorption and can support brain functioning. (26)


Boron contributes to the growth of bones and protects the body against oxidative stress. It boosts magnesium absorption and can help how the body uses Vitamin D.


RDA:

  • Pregnancy & lactation 1-13 mg

Dynamic Duo promotes optimal support for every stage of your prenatal and postnatal journey.

In addition to having 25 ingredients to support you for conception and to meet all your needs and your baby’s requirements during pregnancy and postpartum, Legendairy Milk’s Dynamic Duo Prenatal Vitamin supplement is gluten-free and certified vegan. They do not contain any artificial colors and are folic acid-free.

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Footnotes

1. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2017/0401/od1.html


2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6416193/


3. https://vitamindwiki.com/Vitamin+D+Cofactors+in+a+nutshell


4. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/vitamin-b-pregnancy/#:~:text=Vitamin%20B12%20is%20important%20for,defects%20in%20your%20baby%2C%20too .


5. https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm


6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32378602/


7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28792876/


8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16625530/


9. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/life-stages/pregnancy-lactation#:~:text=The%20RDA%20for%20vitamin%20B,to%20treat%20nausea%20during%20pregnancy .


10. https://breastfeeding.support/vitamin-b6-breastfeeding/#:~:text=A%20breastfeeding%20mother%20will%20normally,recommended%20for%20helping%20nipple%20vasospasm .


11. https://uncnri.org/2019/05/16/choline-in-human-milk-plays-crucial-role-in-infant-memory/


12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4075604/


13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528681/#:~:text=When%20babies%20don't%20get,No%20appetite .


14. https://repositorio.uchile.cl/bitstream/handle/2250/123904/Olivares_Manuel_New%20insights-%20suc.pdf?sequence=1#page4


15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9095401/#:~:text=Maternal%20studies%20reported%20the%20effects,%2C%20breastmilk%20composition%2C%20and%20HIV%2D


16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257674/


17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7285165/


18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7285165/#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20plays%20a%20key,decay%20%5B35%2C36%5D .


19. https://www.infantrisk.com/content/vitamin-d-supplementation-and-breastfeeding#:~:text=Bottom%20Line,D%20status%20in%20the%20infant .


20. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0946672X19303116


21. https://draxe.com/nutrition/molybdenum/


22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15266306/v


23. https://balancewomenshealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PE-H-Types-of-Magnesium.pdf


24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7043363/#:~:text=Taking%20zinc%20during%20pregnancy%20helps,they%20may%20even%20prolong%20labour .


25. https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/pregnancy


26. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2156587211407638

27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7780633/

28. https://www.vinmec.com/eng/article/can-breastfeeding-women-take-vitamin-e-en#:~:text=The%20benefits%20of%20taking%20vitamin%20E%20while%20breastfeeding&text=Anemia%20is%20a%20condition%20in,degeneration%20of%20the%20developing%20muscles .

29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10568373/#:~:text=Thiamine%20and%20neurotransmitters&text=Thiamine%20has%20been%20shown%20to,of%20nerve%20conduction%20%5B65%5D .

30. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Riboflavin-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Pregnant%20or%20lactating%20women%20who ,)%20%5B22%2C25%5D.

31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10862839/

32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3218540/

33. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9607322/

34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352907/

35. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582771/

36. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9698384/

37. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Manganese-HealthProfessional/

38. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Chromium-HealthProfessional/

39. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/

40. https://neurosciencenews.com/vitamin-a-synaptic-plasticity-18151/

41. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23107-vitamin-a-deficiency

42. https://karger.com/anm/article/75/Suppl.%201/20/42664/Nutritional-Factors-in-Fetal-and-Infant-Brain

43. https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(19)30849-4/abstract

44. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminK-HealthProfessional/

45. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/

46. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

47. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0271531707000954?via%3Dihub

48. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2156587211407638 

References

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