Which minerals should be included in a prenatal supplement?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Prenatal supplements should include various minerals with specific daily recommendations, such as 550 mg of calcium and 30 mg of iron in the first trimester; tolerable upper limits are also established for each mineral. The mineral content can vary, and the optimal levels are based on a literature review for pregnant women in the United States.

    As with vitamins, there are clear RDAs for total mineral intake from both food and supplements, but the mineral content of prenatal supplements can vary. The following table presents recommendations for the optimal level of prenatal mineral supplementation for pregnant women in the United States, based on a literature review.[1]

    NutrientDaily recommendationTolerable UL for pregnant women
    Calcium550 mg (1000 mg for those with greater risk of preeclampsia)1000 mg
    Chromium100 mg (200 mg for women with diabetes)-
    Copper100 mg (200 mg for women with diabetes)10 mg
    Iodine150 μg/day1100 μg
    Iron30 mg 1st trimester, 60 mg 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester; up to 60 mg 3× day in extreme cases45 mg
    Magnesium350 mg400 mg
    Manganese1 mg11 mg
    Molybdenum25 μg2000 μg
    Selenium60 μg400 mg
    Zinc30 μg40 mg
    Which minerals should be included in a prenatal supplement? - Examine