Research Says Pregnancy Multivitamins 'A Waste Of Money'

Pregnant women who take multivitamins are wasting their money, a study has suggested.

Researchers have concluded that the "heavily marketed" products for expectant women, which often cost in excess of £15 a month, are an "unnecessary expense" - as there is no evidence to suggest that they bring better health for mother and child.

Instead, mothers are being urged to follow NHS recommendations by taking folic acid for the first trimester of pregnancy as well as vitamin D - both of which can be purchased at a fraction of the cost.

A three-month supply of these tablets can cost as little as £5, meaning parents have the potential to save more than £40 over that period. Following a healthy diet is also recommended.

The detailed research, published in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, saw experts assess the evidence on the benefits of folic acid, vitamin D, iron, vitamins C, E and A, as well as multivitamins during pregnancy.

Although there was substantial evidence to suggest the use of folic acid could reduce the risk of conditions such as spina bifida, and "less clear cut" evidence which indicated vitamin D was beneficial, there was "no evidence" in support of multivitamins.

Such products often contain more than 20 vitamins and minerals, and some carry slogans to say they provide "all the essential nutrients for pregnancy".

The authors of the report said: "Much of the evidence for vitamin supplementation in pregnancy comes from studies carried out in low-income countries, where women are more likely to be undernourished or malnourished than within the UK population."

The Health Food Manufacturers' Association has described some of the findings are "misleading", as evidence suggests many women of child-bearing age in the UK consume insufficient amounts of micronutrients such as iodine, iron and calcium.

It added: "Ideally, we would all get sufficient nutrients from a healthy diet, but for a large proportion of the population, and for certain at-risk groups such as pregnant women, this is simply not the case.

"For these groups, the belief they can obtain all the nutrients necessary from the average UK diet poses a very real risk to the health of both mothers and their unborn children."

Follow The Forefront on:

 > facebook Global audience 

 > facebook Nigerian audience  
 > The Forefront on Twitter
 >BBM Channel: C002CB006 {WELCOME TO THE FOREFRONT}
 >{Instagram: the_forefront_nigeria }

 Connect with Joshua Osagie (Blog owner) 
 >  facebook personal account 
 > facebook  (fan page) 

 > twitter

 > Instagram: osagiejoshua

Share this post with others on social media with options below.