Wrapping up first sample.

It's on to sample number 2 of the prenatal vitamins. I completed that Gesticare DHA yesterday and will start CitraNatal Assure.

First, a review of my experience with Gesticare DHA.

Of course, you remember that right off the bat, I don't like the fact that it is two separate pills that you have to take everyday. However, in doing a little research, there is a reason for this...It avoids interference of calcium and iron absorption by having the pills absorb into different parts of your intestines. The good thing is that you only have to take these pills once a day.

As far as ingredients go:
Gesticare DHA contained twice as much B6 (which regulates mood) as Citra Natal Assure does, but less Iron and Zinc (which helps defend against illness). However, Gestivare DHA has two ingredients that CitraNatal Assure doesn't, vitamin B12 for energy and choline (which I am still unsure about it's function).

However, Citra Natal Assure has a host of ingredients that Gesticare DHA did not...
Thiamin (which helps the body process sugars), Riboflavin, Vitamin B3, Copper (which helps make energy), and duccosate sodium (gotta luv a built in stool softener).

Both of these samples, however contained DHA and EPA, both very high on my priority list.

Side effects:
If you follow, you know that I was worried about constipation. Well, day 2 of taking Gesticare DHA, I was constipated. I overcame it, mostly, by drinking lots of water and adding more fiber to my diet, but still had difficulty.

Overall:
I like the DHA and EPA (a must have with my worries about ADHD). I really like the inclusion of Vitamin B12, but I can really do without the side effects.

Now, the next medicine: CitraNatal Assure:

First impression: I like their website, I don't like taking two pills (but I understand why now), the box contains a March of Dimes ad (that must be a good thing, right?), but I am still worried that the side effects say constipation.

Each prenatal tablet of CitraNatal Assure contains:

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 mg

Calcium (Calcium citrate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 mg

Iron (Carbonyl iron, Ferrous gluconate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 mg

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 IU

Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 IU

Thiamin (Vitamin B1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 mg

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.4 mg

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 mg

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 mg

Folic Acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 mg

Iodine (Potassium iodide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 mcg

Zinc (Zinc oxide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 mg

Copper (Cupric oxide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 mg

Docusate Sodium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 mg

Each DHA gelatin capsule contains:

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 mg

Calcium (Calcium citrate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 mg

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) . . . . . . . . Not more than 0.750 mg

DHA is contained in the oil derived from microalgae. Other ingredients in DHA gelatin capsule: Gelatin, Glycerin USP, Water.