Pregnancy

Personalized prenatal iron supplementation is crucial, researchers state

14-Feb-2024 By Olivia Haslam

“It is crucial to adjust the prenatal iron supplementation to each pregnant woman’s needs,” as risks are run for the infant both in over and under-dosing, new research has concluded.

Research reveals potential role of microbiome in fertility

22-Jan-2024 By Olivia Brown

The dominance of bacteria Lactobacillus spp. in the female reproductive tract is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes while vaginal and endometrial dysbiosis may reduce the chances of successful embryonic implantation, according to a new review.

GAO report on 12 prenatal supplements: ‘Unnecessarily alarmist’ and ‘Where’s the statistical significance?’

15-Jan-2024 By Stephen Daniells

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has issued a report on prenatal supplements, which includes data on the testing of 12 different products and some wide-ranging recommendations calling for greater FDA oversight.

Most women lack essential nutrients during preconception: Study

08-Jan-2024 By Olivia Brown

Research conducted by researchers at Southampton University shows that 90% of women during preconception had marginal or low concentrations of one or more of folate, riboflavin, vitamin B12 or vitamin D.

Brightseed gets $1.6 Million Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support at-risk mothers

19-Dec-2023

AI pioneers Brightseed have received $1.6 million funding from the Gates foundation to identify and validate natural bioactive compounds to improve birth outcomes by supporting undernourished pregnant and lactating women.

Balchem boosts Choline production by 50% as cognitive category drives demand

19-Dec-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Responding to growing demand for choline across the lifespan, Balchem has announced the completion of its US capacity expansion for its VitaCholine, boosting output by 50%.

Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of preterm birth among Black women

28-Nov-2023 By Claudia Adrien

A 'sunshine vitamin' deficiency among pregnant Black women is a significant predictor of preterm birth (PTB), as compared to non-Hispanic white women, according to research which appeared in Nutrients.

Antioxidant supplement improves sperm quality and pregnancy outcomes, research suggests

02-Nov-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Supplementing men with a combination of micronutrients and L-Carnitine shows promise in improving sperm motility and pregnancy outcomes, a new study concludes.

Startup Spotlight

Q&A: Perelel Health talks targeting women’s needs across the hormonal lifecycle

30-Oct-2023 By Asia Sherman

Baby making, egg freezing, pregnancy trimesters, recovery after birth or reproductive loss, follicular and luteal menstrual phases—all different stages of a woman’s hormonal lifecycle that Perelel Health says require clean, targeted nutrition.

High dose folic acid in pregnancy may shorten infant telomere length, researchers say

25-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new study has observed a significant association between very high intakes of folic acid (FA) during pregnancy and shorter telomere lengths in children aged four.

Chlorella minimizes constipation in pregnancy: Study

23-Oct-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Chlorella supplementation in pregnant patients with low-grade inflammation can decrease the prevalence of constipation and the need to take laxatives, according to a small study which appeared in Food Science & Nutrition.

Study: Not all iron supplements for pregnant women should be “considered equal”

07-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by supplement manufacturer Balchem concludes ferrous bisglycinate supplementation in pregnant women results in improved haemoglobin status and a 64% lower rate of side effects compared to other iron...

Prevalent vitamin D insufficiency leads to increased supplement recommendation for Northeast Europe

10-Aug-2023 By Sarah Rhynes & Nikki Hancocks

Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in pregnant and postpartum Latvian women, with only 21% having optimal levels, leading researchers to suggest a higher year-round supplementation recommendation.

Synbiotic launched to reduce risk of mastitis

14-Jul-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Danone has developed a synbiotic supplement for pregnant and lactating mothers to prevent the common, inflammation-driven issue of mastitis.

NutraCast: How Motherlove's 4-day work week boosts productivity

23-Jun-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Nearly 95% of people desire a flexible work schedule, with flexibility ranking only second to compensation when it comes to what determines workplace satisfaction. This is according to new research from Future Forum, Slack’s research consortium, which...

Study links low maternal zinc intake to high blood pressure risk

09-Jun-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new case-controlled study has revealed key risk factors of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in Gaza Strip, Palestine, highlighting the impact of maternal zinc intake.

Impaired vitamin B6 and folate status linked to low birth weights, study suggests

24-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The new prospective cohort study finds that low vitamin B6 and impaired folate levels were associated with low birth weights (LBWs) in the south Indian pregnant women studied.

Study: 66% of women seeking infertility treatment use herbal supplements

17-Apr-2023

The majority of reproductive-aged women at an academic infertility practice had used supplements in the past, and over half were currently using supplements or herbal medicines, says a new study.

CRN: 'One product should not be expected to provide 100% of each person’s precise nutritional needs'

13-Apr-2023

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has responded to a recent study which found only one dietary supplement meeting the nutritional recommendations for pregnancy for six key nutrients.

Almost no US supplements provide key nutrients in doses needed for pregnancy: Study

11-Apr-2023

After analyzing over 20,000 dietary supplements, researchers found only one that met the nutritional recommendations for pregnancy for vitamin A, vitamin D, folic acid, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids when used to supplement the participants'...

Probiotics support glucose and lipid metabolism in pregnant women, meta-analysis finds

16-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new meta-analysis has found supplements containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum may be a promising prevention and therapeutic strategy in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).

J&J partners with Holobiome for next-gen probiotics and prebiotics for infant & maternal immune health

02-Mar-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Microbiome biotech company has announced a partnership with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. to develop next-generation probiotics and prebiotics, aimed at supporting infant and maternal immune health.

Med diet associated with big reduction of some pregnancy issues, study finds

09-Jan-2023 By Hank Schultz

A new study using data from a large cohort has linked the Mediterranean diet to fewer adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Study: Vitamin D during pregnancy mitigates risk of bacterial vaginosis

02-Dec-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Pregnant women should consume an average 600 IUs of vitamin D daily to maintain adequate serum levels and reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV), according to newly published data.

Shaklee expands Meology personalized nutrition program to include prenatals

22-Nov-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Wellness brand Shaklee recently introduced Meology Prenatal, an extension of the core Meology line, to support all three natal phases.

ISSFAL supports 'important role’ for omega-3s for lower pre-term birth risks

03-Oct-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Women with low omega-3 levels in early pregnancy would benefit most from omega-3 supplement to reduce the risk of pre-term birth, according to a new statement from the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL).

NutraWomen Wednesday: Ayla Barmmer, founder & CEO of FullWell

14-Sep-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Ayla Barmmer is a registered dietitian nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner who specializes in the fertility space. After two decades of providing in-depth education to fellow practitioners on family health issues and working on thousands...

DHA omega-3 during pregnancy may benefit mother as well as child: RCT

22-Aug-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The benefits of DHA for the developing fetus are well-established, but a new study indicates that supplementation during pregnancy may also benefit the heart health of the mother.

Researchers find strong evidence for prenatal vitamins, but find few products that meet recommendations

12-Jul-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new review has found strong support for the use of many vitamins and other dietary ingredients in prenatal supplements. But the researches also found that few supplements marketed to expectant mothers meet their recommended dosage levels.

HUM Nutrition debuts 2-step prenatal system

23-May-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The OBGYN formulated supplement is recognized by the Clean Label Project.

Study unlocks Choline’s ‘unique role’ in boosting DHA levels during pregnancy

19-May-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Maternal intake of choline, an essential brain nutrient for mother and developing child, significantly increases DHA status, more than supplementing with DHA by itself, says a new study from Cornell University.

Startup WeNatal launches prenatal for men and women

17-May-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The founders said they are reimagining the gender paradigms around preconception care.

A new study links a Mediterranean-style diet to lower risk of preeclampsia

26-Apr-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Women could greatly reduce the odds of contracting preeclampsia during pregnancy by following a Mediterranean-style diet, say researchers.

Researchers discover biomarker that indicates preterm birth

03-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The authors say reliable biomarkers for preterm birth could greatly help in predicting which pregnancies are at risk and improve health outcomes for children.

Sweeteners consumed during pregnancy may affect baby’s microbiome

03-Feb-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The new research underscores the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy.

Researchers find health benefits of moderate caffeine intake during pregnancy

19-Nov-2021 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Consuming moderate levels of caffeine during pregnancy can reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.

Study argues iodine supplementation should start pre-pregnancy

04-Nov-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Supplementation with iodine should begin pre-pregnancy in order to ensure healthy thyroid function and foetal neurodevelopment, according to the authors of a new cohort study.

Nutripedia app fights fake news about pregnancy and early life nutrition

13-Sep-2021 By Lynda Searby

A pilot study suggests that an app- and web-based approach could be an “inexpensive” and “high value” way of promoting accurate information on pregnancy and early life nutrition.

Clinicians should consider daily DHA supplements during pregnancy to reduce early preterm birth: Study

06-Aug-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of 1,000 mg of DHA during pregnancy may reduce the risk of early pre-term birth in women with low levels of the omega-3, says a new study

Study: Selenium and manganese during pregnancy may have future cardiovascular benefits

08-Jul-2021 By Danielle Masterson

A new study suggests that certain trace mineral levels during pregnancy may reduce the risk of high blood pressure when the babies get older.

NutraCast: LifeNome on new precision nutrition pregnancy platform

25-Jun-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Health tech company LifeNome is bringing science-based personalization to pregnancy nutrition with 9Moons.

Mother’s prenatal gut microbiota may predict child behavior: Study

10-Jun-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Increased diversity of a mother’s gut microbiota during the third trimester of pregnancy may influence a child’s brain development and behavior, says a new study from Australia.

Probiotics and infant eczema: Maternal supplementation of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium appears beneficial – meta-analysis

12-May-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium during pregnancy could reduce the risk of eczema developing in infants, results from a meta-analysis have shown.