How to vitamins taken during Pregnancy
A recent study that found many prenatal vitamins contain dangerously high quantities of harmful metals and lack important minerals raises concerns regarding their safety and nutritional value.
Nowadays, many people use multivitamins to supplement their usual diet, particularly if they are deficient in key vitamins and minerals.
The study found that some multivitamins on the market contain dangerously high quantities of harmful metals and lack important minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy.
Under the direction of Dr. Laura Borgelt of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy, the study examined the choline and iodine content of 47 prenatal vitamins available in the US, including prescription and over-the-counter brands.
Many women depend on prenatal vitamins to promote both their own and their unborn child’s development throughout pregnancy. The nutrients choline and iodine are among the most important for embryonic development. But some prenatal vitamins might not have the amounts indicated on the label, and some might not have any of these nutrients at all,” Dr. Borgelt noted.
RESULTS FROM THE STUDY
Choline: The component choline was listed in just 12 out of 47 goods (26 percent). Only five (42%) of those had the amount indicated on their labels.
Only four (16%) of the supplements contained the appropriate amount of iodine, even though 53% of them listed it.
During pregnancy, iodine consumption should be 220 mcg per day, as it is essential for the development of the baby’s thyroid.
Alarming concentrations of heavy metals were also found in several goods in the study:
Seven goods contain arsenic over the daily permissible limit of 2.5 mcg.
Lead: Found in two items at dangerously high amounts, more than 0.5 mcg daily.
13 products contain more cadmium than the recommended daily intake of 0.5 mcg.
Pregnancy-related exposure to certain harmful metals has been associated with problems and delays in development.
WHY PRENATAL VITAMINS REMAIN IMPORTANT
“Prenatal vitamins remain essential throughout pregnancy. But it’s important to verify ingredients and make sure the product is safe and nourished,” Dr. Borgelt stated.
