Researchers reveal that a staggering nine out of 10 expectant mothers lack vital nutrients crucial for the health of their unborn babies, with deficiencies particularly prominent in essential elements commonly found in meat and dairy products.
A study led by the University of Southampton and published in PLOS Medicine indicates that pregnant women, even in high-income countries like the UK, New Zealand, and Singapore, are grappling with nutrient deficiencies that are crucial for fetal development.
The deficiencies identified include vitamins B12, B6, D, folic acid, and riboflavin, which play a pivotal role in ensuring the health and development of infants in the womb.
Prof Keith Godfrey, an expert in epidemiology at the University of Southampton and the lead author of the study, highlighted that the lack of these essential vitamins is not limited to those following vegan diets. He emphasized that the study encompassed both omnivorous and vegetarian/vegan women, revealing that more than 90% of them had low or marginal levels of key vitamins.
While acknowledging that vegan diets are often associated with low vitamin intake, Prof Godfrey expressed serious concern about the prevalence of these deficiencies among women in wealthier nations. He stressed that as the push to reduce meat and dairy consumption for environmental reasons continues, there is a risk of exacerbating the problem.
“Fully meeting the nutritional needs of pregnant women from plant-based diets alone is a real challenge without much more extensive food fortification at higher levels. With the need for sustainable, plant-based diets, it is likely that higher levels of supplement use will be required. Longer-term plans require agricultural production of plant crops with higher vitamin content,” Prof Godfrey cautioned.
Prof Wayne Cutfield from the University of Auckland suggested over-the-counter multivitamins as a potential solution to address deficiencies and emphasized the direct influence of maternal well-being on infant health.
Associate Prof Shiao-Yng Chan from the National University of Singapore warned of increasing vitamin deficiencies if the trend towards less meat and dairy consumption continues. She advocated for women to take more supplements or receive specific dietary advice to ensure sufficient intake of essential micronutrients.
The study is groundbreaking in demonstrating that over-the-counter supplements can effectively reduce vitamin insufficiencies during preconception, pregnancy, and lactation, offering potential strategies to address this concerning trend among pregnant women.
