A recent study conducted by scientists from the University of Southampton, in collaboration with experts worldwide, has raised concerns about the nutritional status of pregnant women in high-income countries, including the UK, New Zealand, and Singapore. The research, published in PLOS Medicine, reveals that a staggering 90% of expecting mothers in these countries are lacking key vitamins crucial for healthy pregnancies and the well-being of their unborn infants.
The study also warns that the situation may worsen as more people turn to plant-based diets. The study, involving over 1,700 women aged 18 to 38 at conception, highlighted deficiencies in essential nutrients such as vitamins B12, B6, and D, folic acid, and riboflavin. These nutrients play a vital role in the development of fetuses in the womb. Lead author Professor Keith Godfrey expressed serious concern about the prevalence of these deficiencies among women attempting to become pregnant in wealthy nations.
The study suggests that the push to reduce meat and dairy consumption for environmental reasons, such as achieving net-zero carbon emissions, could further deplete expecting mothers of vital nutrients. A deficiency in crucial vitamins during pregnancy can have lasting effects on unborn children.
Professor Godfrey emphasized that nutrient deficiency is not confined to underdeveloped countries, highlighting that it is also affecting most women in high-income nations. The study followed women through subsequent pregnancies, revealing that nine out of ten had marginal or low levels of folate, riboflavin, and vitamins B12 and D around the time of conception. Additionally, many developed vitamin B6 deficiency in late pregnancy.
Co-author Professor Wayne Cut Field from the University of Auckland suggested that, alongside the recommended folic acid, expecting mothers should take over-the-counter multivitamins to reduce nutrient deficiencies. He emphasized that the well-being of mothers before conception and during pregnancy directly influences the health, physical development, and learning ability of the infant.
This recommendation is particularly relevant as the study found that supplements available over the counter can effectively reduce vitamin insufficiencies during preconception, pregnancy, and lactational periods. As the world witnesses a growing trend towards plant-based diets, the study raises concerns about the potential exacerbation of vitamin deficiencies. Professor Godfrey highlighted that the move away from meat and dairy could contribute to further nutrient depletion in pregnant women.
The study’s co-author, Associate Professor Shiao-Yng Chan from the National University of Singapore, stressed that unless women increase their supplement intake or receive specific advice about nutrient-rich foods, the trend of vitamin deficiencies is likely to persist with the ongoing shift towards diets containing less meat and dairy products.
The study from the University of Southampton sheds light on a pressing issue regarding the nutritional status of pregnant women in high-income countries. The alarming deficiency in key vitamins, exacerbated by the potential impact of plant-based diets, poses risks to the health and development of unborn children.
The researchers advocate for increased awareness, supplementation, and specific dietary advice to address this growing concern and ensure the well-being of both mothers and their infants. As the world navigates dietary shifts for environmental sustainability, it becomes imperative to simultaneously address the nutritional needs of expectant mothers to safeguard the health of future generations.
Journal Reference
Katherine Newman‐Taylor et al, Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis: The end of the line or time for a new approach? Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice (2023). DOI: 10.1111/papt.12498.
