6 undeniable reasons why it is wise to use prenatal supplements before and during pregnancy

Znanstveni dokazi jasno pokazuju da prenatalni suplementi nisu samo “dodatak” pravilnoj prehrani već neophodan dio skrbi za majku i dijete. Moderne formulacije prenatalnih suplemenata uključuju najbolje dostupne oblike nutrijenata s optimalnom bioraspoloživošću i minimalnim nuspojavama. Započinjanje s primjenom prije začeća i kontinuiran unos tijekom trudnoće može značajno doprinijeti zdravlju majke i optimalnom razvoju djeteta.

U javnosti se ponekad javlja pogrešno uvjerenje da mladim majkama koje jedu raznoliko i zdravo nisu potrebni nikakvi dodatni suplementi. Međutim, suprotno takvim stavovima, modern science provides convincing evidence of the benefits of certain nutrients that are additionally taken in, such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and folate, on positive pregnancy outcomes. Even women who have a high-quality and balanced diet can benefit from prenatal supplements, because the need for certain vitamins and minerals increases significantly during pregnancy, and some nutrients are simply impossible to get in sufficient quantities through food alone.

Here are six science-based reasons why it's wise to use prenatal supplements:

1. Folate, key to preventing neural tube defects

The need for folate increases many times during pregnancy because it is necessary for the growth and development of the child. Folate undoubtedly reduces the risk of developing neural tube defects in the child and prevents megaloblastic anemia in the mother. It also lowers the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.

In Europe, unlike North America and some South American countries, there is no strategy to enrich food with folic acid. Such strategies have significantly reduced the frequency of folate deficiency in the population in the countries where they are applied.

The advantage of modern prenatal supplements is that they contain the active form of folate, 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), instead of the previously used synthetic folic acid. Since there is a difference in the ability to convert folic acid into bioactive forms, using the already active form ensures better utilization for all women. It is recommended to start with 400 µg of folate 12 weeks before conception and continue with 400 to 1,000 µg throughout pregnancy.

2. Omega-3 fatty acids, for the development of the child's brain and vision

Docosahexaenoic fatty acid (DHA) is an essential component of the brain and eyes. Given that not enough fish is usually consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding (in the population of Croatian pregnant women, only 19% consume fish twice a week), it is important to replace omega-3 fatty acids with a dietary supplement.

Proven benefits of using omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy:

• positive influence on the cognitive development of the child
• reducing the risk of premature birth and preeclampsia
• better mental health of the mother, because women with a worse status of omega-3 fatty acids have a higher risk of depression before and after childbirth
• in gestational diabetes can improve glycemic control and inflammatory response

3. Balanced ratios of all vitamins and minerals

Prenatal supplements provide optimal ratios of all necessary micronutrients, thereby reducing the risk of deficiency of any important element. Vitamin B is especially important₆ koji ima antiemetički učinak odnosno pažljivo dizajnirani prenatalni suplementi novije generacije imaju povišene koncentracija vitamina B₆ upravo zbog njegova djelovanja protiv mučnina u trudnoći.

Modern prenatal supplements also contain optimal amounts of vitamin E, vitamin B complex, zinc, selenium and iodine, numerous nutrients whose deficiency can have serious consequences for mother and child.

4. Lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids important for vision

Lutein and zeaxanthin are plant pigments from the group of carotenoids that are extremely important for the health of the eyes, but also for the cognitive development of the child. During pregnancy, their role becomes even more emphasized, precisely because the mother's body actively transfers them to the child. Lutein is particularly noteworthy, the dominant carotenoid in the human brain, which in the brain of infants makes up to 60% of all accumulated carotenoids.

What do scientific research say?

• Lutein is the fastest and most efficient transfer from mother to child compared to all other carotenoids.
• It is present in the highest concentration in the placenta and cord blood, which shows its key role in prenatal development.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin intake in early pregnancy is associated with better behavioral regulation and development of language skills in childhood.
• Children of mothers with a higher intake of these nutrients show better cognitive and language development already at the age of two.

This is precisely why we can call lutein and zeaxanthin the nutrients of the future, they not only protect the health of the mother's eyes, but also create a foundation for optimal brain and vision development in the child.

5. Continuous intake of iron in low doses

Anemia in pregnancy is one of the most common public health problems in pregnant women. Even when a woman enters pregnancy with adequate supplies of iron, experts recommend additional intake of this mineral in low but continuous doses. The reason is simple: during pregnancy, the need for iron increases significantly, and mother's milk is not a sufficient source, so the newborn in the first nine months of life is completely dependent on the reserves that the mother created during pregnancy.

The advantage of modern prenatal formulas is that they follow the principle of long-term, stable supplementation of iron in smaller doses instead of using high doses that often cause side effects such as stomach problems and constipation. In this way, the pregnant woman maintains an optimal iron status without burdening the organism, and the baby gets everything it needs for healthy growth and development.

6. Vitamin D, an absolutely indispensable nutrient

Vitamin D jedan je od ključnih vitamina za zdravlje žene i djeteta, a unatoč njegovoj važnosti, hranom ga je gotovo nemoguće unijeti u dovoljnim količinama. Zbog toga ne iznenađuje podatak da 20 to 40% of pregnant women have vitamin D deficiency, which can have serious consequences on the course of pregnancy and the health of the newborn.

Why is vitamin D so important?

• Before conception, it helps to preserve fertility and hormonal balance.
• During pregnancy, it protects the bone mass of the mother and participates in the construction of the skeleton of the fetus.
• Immune effects: supports the mother's strong immunity and optimal development of the child's immune system.

Risks of vitamin D deficiency:

• increased risk of gestational diabetes
• more than double the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester
• three times higher risk of premature birth
• double the risk of preeclampsia
• increased risk of cesarean delivery and other complications during childbirth.

All these facts clearly confirm: vitamin D is not just a recommendation, but a necessity for every expectant mother. Its supplementation helps preserve the health of the mother, reduces risks in pregnancy and creates a solid foundation for the proper growth and development of the child.

Zašto odabrati Almagea® Prenatal Omega3+?

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your body and baby deserve only the best. That is why it is important to choose a nutritional supplement that is scientifically based, safe and formulated to meet all the specific needs of pregnant and lactating women.

A consultation with a nutritionist or gynecologist will help you get a recommendation adapted to you, but one thing is certain, the best prenatal nutritional supplements are those that contain:

• active folic acid (patentirani sastojak Quatrefolic®) za optimalan razvoj ploda
• omega-3 fatty acids za zdravlje srca, mozga i očiju
• lutein and zeaxanthin (FloraGLO® i OPTISHARP™) za zaštitu vida
• B vitamins₆, B₁₂, D and E za energiju i imunitet
• key minerals: iron, iodine, selenium, zinc and copper for body balance.

Almagea® Prenatal Omega3+ ističe se kao superiorna formulacija nove generacije, jer u sebi objedinjuje sve ove nutrijente u pažljivo uravnoteženim količinama, točno onoliko koliko je potrebno za zdravlje majke i pravilan razvoj djeteta.

Osim toga, proizvodnja se odvija prema najsuvremenijim standardima čistoće i sigurnosti što jamči da each encapsulated nutrient comes in the highest quality form with optimal bioavailability.

Literature:

• Vishwanathan R, Kuchan MJ, Sen S, Johnson EJ. Lutein and preterm infants with decreased concentrations of brain carotenoids. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014;59(6):659–665.
• Mulder KA, Innis SM, Rasmussen BF, et al. Maternal dietary patterns and child neurodevelopment: lutein and zeaxanthin in pregnancy are positively associated with cognitive outcomes in early childhood. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(6):2043–2051.
• Tan A, Klein JD, Sanders LM, et al. Maternal plasma lutein and zeaxanthin during pregnancy are positively associated with offspring visual acuity at age 3 years. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;111(5):1002–1009.
• Haider BA, Olofin I, Wang M, et al. Anaemia, prenatal iron use, and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2013;346:f3443.
• Zhang J, Li Y, Liu Y, et al. Effects of daily iron supplementation in pregnant women with normal hemoglobin: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2023;15(13):2885.
• Bi WG, Nuyt AM, Weiler H, Leduc L, Santamaria C, Wei SQ. Association between vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and maternal, neonatal, and infant health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrician. 2018;172(7):635–645.
• Hyppönen E, Cavadino A, Williams D, Fraser A, Vereczkey A, Fraser WD. Vitamin D and pre-eclampsia: original data, systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Nutr Metab. 2013;63(4):331–340.
• Bodnar LM, Platt RW, Simhan HN. Early-pregnancy vitamin D deficiency and risk of preterm birth subtypes. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;125(2):439–447.
• US Preventive Services Task Force, Curry SJ, Krist AH, Owens DK, Barry MJ, Caughey AB, Davidson KW, et al. Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. 2024;331(5):495-503.
  MRC Vitamin Study Research Group. Prevention of neural tube defects: results of the Medical Research Council Vitamin Study. Lancet. 1991;338(8760):131-137.
• Colombo J, Carlson SE, Cheatham CL, Shaddy DJ, Kerling EH, Thodosoff JM, Gustafson KM. Prenatal supplementation with DHA improves attention at 5 years of age: a randomized controlled trial. J Pediatr. 2015;167(6):1230-1235.e1.
• Makrides M, Gibson RA, McPhee AJ, Yelland L, Quinlivan J, Ryan P; DOMINO Investigative Team. Effect of DHA supplementation during pregnancy on maternal depression and neurodevelopment of young children: a randomized controlled trial. PIT. 2010;304(15):1675-1683.
• Gould JF, Smithers LG, Makrides M. The effect of maternal omega-3 (n-3) LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy on early childhood cognitive and visual development: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;97(3):531-544.