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A new study has raised alarm about the quality of prenatal vitamins, revealing concerning deficiencies in essential nutrients and the presence of toxic metals in many products. The research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, analyzed 47 nonprescription and prescription prenatal vitamins and found widespread discrepancies in nutrient content, as well as dangerous levels of contaminants.
The study focused on two critical nutrients for fetal development—choline and iodine. Both are essential for a healthy pregnancy, with choline supporting brain development and iodine playing a vital role in thyroid function. However, the analysis revealed that many prenatal vitamins either lacked these nutrients altogether or contained much lower levels than advertised.
“Our study aims to help women better understand the nutrient content in prenatal supplements, empowering them to make more informed choices and select the best options for their health and their baby’s well-being,” said Dr. Laura Borgelt, the study’s lead author and a professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Researchers tested 32 nonprescription and 15 prescription prenatal vitamins purchased from local stores and online retailers. They measured the actual amounts of choline and iodine in these products and compared them with the quantities listed on the labels. In addition, they tested for the presence of harmful contaminants, including arsenic, lead, and cadmium, which are known to pose serious health risks during pregnancy.
The findings were alarming. Only 12 of the 47 products listed choline, and of those, only five contained the correct amount as indicated on the label. When it came to iodine, 53% of products listed the nutrient, but only 16% contained the advertised amount.
The study also uncovered dangerous levels of toxic metals in some prenatal vitamins. Seven products contained arsenic levels above safe limits, two exceeded the allowable lead limits, and 13 had too much cadmium. These metals, even at low levels, have been linked to adverse birth outcomes, including developmental delays and preterm birth.
“These findings highlight a significant gap between what’s listed on the labels and what’s actually in the products,” said Borgelt. “There is an urgent need for stronger regulatory oversight to ensure the safety and efficacy of prenatal supplements.”
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends that pregnant women consume 450 mg of choline daily, along with 220 mcg of iodine. Meanwhile, the U.S. Pharmacopeia sets strict purity standards for pharmaceuticals, including limits for arsenic (2.5 mcg per daily dose), lead (0.5 mcg), and cadmium (0.5 mcg).
Despite the troubling results, Borgelt emphasizes the importance of prenatal supplements. “Prenatal vitamins remain crucial for ensuring that women receive adequate nutrients during pregnancy,” she said. “However, this study underscores the need for women to be cautious when choosing products. We recommend consulting a doctor or healthcare provider to select a supplement that meets both nutritional needs and safety standards.”
The study’s authors call for greater oversight and more accurate labeling of prenatal vitamins to ensure that pregnant women and their babies are getting the nutrients they need without the risk of harmful contaminants.
Reference: Borgelt, L. M., Armstrong, M., Brindley, S., Brown, J. M., Reisdorph, N., & Stamm, C. A. (2024). Content of Selected Nutrients and Potential Contaminants in Prenatal Multivitamins and Minerals: an Observational Study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.11.014
