General
Pregnancy Support was developed together with a team of scientists based on current data. For this purpose, scientific data on nutrients that are particularly important for the healthy development of the child, as well as supply data based on the National Nutrition Survey II and other consumption data of women of childbearing age, were analyzed.
Important: Food supplements are only ever a supplement to a balanced and healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.
What distinguishes Pregnancy Support from other multinutrient supplements for pregnancy?
- With Pregnancy Support, in combination with Essentials O3-D3-K2, not only the particularly critical nutrients, but all nutrients important for the healthy development of the child and the health of the mother are optimally covered. Pregnancy Support contains, for example, carnitine, which is recommended by the Professional Association of Gynecologists and from a nutritional medical point of view for pregnant women. Other products often do not even contain all critical nutrients. Pregnancy Support is designed to be perfectly combined with Essentials O3-D3-K2 to also provide the optimal supply of important omega-3 fatty acids, not just the minimum supply of DHA. Most products for pregnancy contain at most the absolute minimum amount of DHA. Since we did not want to make any compromises in the development, it was not an option in Pregnancy Support to integrate omega-3 fatty acids "alibi-like".
- The dosages of the nutrients are chosen in such a way that, according to current consumption studies, the most poorly supplied women are well supplied, but the best supplied women nevertheless do not run the risk of overdosing on the nutrients contained. The vitamin and mineral compounds are chosen to be optimally bioavailable, 100% safe and also perfectly tolerated.
- Pregnancy Support is taken from baby planning to the end of breastfeeding, as scientifically there is no need to serve the different phases with different products.
- Pregnancy Support does not contain any ingredients of concern, such as titanium dioxide. The substance was already classified as unsafe by EFSA a year ago. There is a risk that titanium dioxide can damage DNA. Nevertheless, it is still used in some competitor products.
Important unique selling points
Iron
The average supply of iron in childbearing age is 12 mg per day (between 7 and 20 mg maximum). Iron is too low in most products for pregnant women and in some cases is not present at all.
Depending on the medical literature, 20 to 50 mg of iron (30 mg on average) is recommended.
Moreover, medical literature emphasizes: the value cannot be reached due to real intake.
The standard determination of the ferritin value at the beginning of pregnancy usually reveals an iron level that is too low. Ferritin is a protein used to store iron in the body.
Therefore, a high dose of iron is often prescribed at the beginning of pregnancy to quickly replenish the iron stores, as iron is very important during pregnancy.
However, the iron products from the pharmacy prescribed by the doctor are usually iron sulfate, which in turn has been shown to cause unpleasant side effects (digestive problems, flatulence and nausea).
The iron form (iron bisglycinate) contained in Pregnancy Support, on the other hand, is even used in newborns due to its particularly good tolerability and better bioavailability.
Why is the iron form, then not found in any pharmacy products and medicines for iron deficiency? Because iron bisglycinate is much more expensive than ferrous sulfate.
Vitamin A
Nutritional medicine has long been considered proven: Pregnant women cannot avoid a vitamin A supplement for a safe vitamin A supply. Almost all comparable products for pregnancy do not contain vitamin A.
Without vitamin A, however, there is a significant deficit in the newborn. A vitamin A deficit can lead to malformations just as much as an oversupply.
Therefore, the official recommendation of nutritional medicine is that if animal liver is to be avoided (which should be adhered to due to the uncontrollably high intake), a multivitamin containing vitamin A and β-carotene is necessary.
Therefore, Pregnancy Support contains vitamin A as active vitamin A and precursor in the form of β-carotene for a safe and optimal supply. And, taking into account current consumption data, it is dosed in such a way that women with a below-average supply are well supplied, but women who are already well supplied have no risk of over-supply.
One-third of the dosage as active vitamin A (retinyl acetate), which ensures a safe basic supply and should protect against deficiency (150 mcg retinol equivalents). Two-thirds as β-carotene, which the body converts to active vitamin A only when needed (300 mcg retinol equivalents) and ensures optimal supply, but without risking oversupply.
In this way, a total of 1,500 IU is obtained, which, taking into account the average dietary intake when avoiding animal foods rich in vitamin A, optimally covers the needs of pregnant women without even the slightest risk of overdosing and ensures the basic supply of active vitamin A even in the case of a limited ability to convert β-carotene into vitamin A. Due to the fact that two-thirds of the dosage is available as β-carotene, which is only converted when needed, maximum safety is guaranteed.
Furthermore, vitamin A is also of high importance for iron absorption. Supplementation of vitamin A combined with iron has more positive effects on the supply status in pregnant women than the administration of iron alone. Thus, the contained amount of iron is perfectly absorbed by the body, which is just not the case with most pregnancy supplements without vitamin A and with isolated iron prescribed by the doctor.
Comparison with other products around pregnancy
It is simply incomprehensible how current products for pregnant women can be designed without carnitine, without vitamin A, without or only with insufficient iron dosage.
Known product for before pregnancy: Contains no iron, with which women who want to become pregnant, due to the poor supply status with iron already would not be well supplied pregnant. Also does not contain, for example, carnitine, vitamin A and vitamin K2. Calcium, selenium and other nutrients that we know women are not optimally supplied with are also not included. Vitamin B2, B6 and B12 are not included as active forms.
Known product for week of pregnancy 1-12: Contains only 10 mg iron, no carnitine, no vitamin K2 and no vitamin A. From current scientific data we know that 10 mg of iron is not enough to be optimally supplied as a pregnant and breastfeeding woman. Moreover, it is the state of current nutritional medicine that the safest supply works through vitamin A and β-carotene supplementation. Selenium is scientifically considered too low in relation to iodine. In addition, calcium and magnesium as well as other important nutrients are also missing here. Here, too, almost all B vitamins are not contained as active forms.
Known product from week of pregnancy 13: Contains only 14 mg iron, no carnitine, no vitamin K2 and no vitamin A. Calcium is also not included and selenium is not optimally dosed in relation to iodine. Although DHA is included as an omega-3 fatty acid, it is so low that even non-pregnant women would not be adequately supplied. This is only the absolute minimum amount. Therefore, the essentials should also be supplemented in the usual dosage during pregnancy in order to provide the best possible care for oneself and the unborn child. Again, almost all B vitamins are not included as active forms.
What is particularly frightening: In a product of a very well-known manufacturer, which is often recommended by gynecologists and in the pharmacy, actually still contains titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide has been classified as unsafe by EFSA for almost a year, as there may be a risk that it can damage DNA.
Pregnancy Support: Contains 20 mg of iron in optimal bioavailability and best tolerability and 600 mg of carnitine in raw material forms that are even approved for newborns. In addition, for a safe supply, vitamin A is included as active retinyl acetate and β- carotene as a precursor. Furthermore, calcium is included in two forms (acutely available and storage form) due to the known suboptimal supply in women and selenium in two forms due to the known deficiency. Other differences from most pregnancy products are the exclusive use of organic mineral forms, active B vitamins and vitamin E in the form of mixed tocopherols instead of isolated α-tocopherol for best bioavailability. Not to mention the comprehensive composition of all essential nutrients for mother and child to provide not only reasonably but optimally.
Pregnancy Support contains only 100% useful and safe ingredients.
Essentials O3-D3-K2 as an optimal complement to Pregnancy Support
An optimal supply of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA is also important during pregnancy. DHA in particular is important for the formation of the brain structure, which is why attention should be paid here to an optimal supply and not just a minimum supply.
Current scientific data show that at least 450 mg EPA/DHA should be supplemented daily so that mothers achieve at least an omega-3 index of > 6 %. However, 8 to 11 % would be optimal.
In addition, of course, vitamins D and K are very important for pregnancy in a higher dosage than in all products for pregnancy.
All other contained nutrients at a glance
Vitamin K2 + D3
The vitamin D requirement increases during pregnancy, therefore vitamin D is also higher dosed. However, not too high that one does not run the risk of overdose when combined with Essentials O3-D3-K2 when following the recommended intake.
Vitamin E
There is only a small additional requirement for vitamin E during pregnancy, but according to NVS II, half of the women in Germany do not reach the recommended intake. The worst-supplied women lack 6.9 mg of vitamin E. Correspondingly, the worst-supplied pregnant women have a shortfall of 7.9 milligrams of vitamin E per day.
Pregnant and lactating women have an additional daily requirement of 2 to 5 mg.
Therefore, vitamin E was moderately dosed at 8 mg per daily ration. In this way, a possible supply deficit is compensated for without running the risk of overdosing.
B vitamins
In the case of B vitamins as water-soluble vitamins, an intake in excess of the requirement is simply excreted again, which is why it is better to supply a little too much than too little here.
Vitamin C
Pregnant and breastfeeding women have an additional need for vitamin C. Officials recommend an allowance of 10 to 30 mg. In specialist circles even up to 100 mg.
Almost a third of women in Germany do not reach the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. The worst-supplied women lack up to 67 mg of vitamin C during pregnancy and up to 107 mg of vitamin C during breastfeeding due to the even higher requirement. That is why vitamin C is included in Pregnancy Support at 110 mg.
Vitamin C is also a water-soluble vitamin, which is why it is better to take a little more than too little.
Calcium
Pregnant and breastfeeding women have an increased need for calcium, but this is compensated for by the increased resoprtion rate of calcium during pregnancy from approx. 33% to 54%.
However, more than half of the women in Germany do not reach the recommended daily intake of calcium. And that is exactly why in Pregnancy Support, unlike all known products for pregnant women, calcium has also been added.
Magnesium
Pregnant and breastfeeding women have an additional need for magnesium. Experts recommend an allowance of 10 to 90 mg.
Almost one third of women in Germany do not reach the recommended daily intake of magnesium. That is why magnesium is included in Pregnancy Support, in a dosage adapted to the increased needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Zinc
Pregnant and breastfeeding women have an additional need for zinc. An allowance of 2 to 5 mg is recommended.
Almost one third of women of childbearing age in Germany do not reach the recommended daily intake of zinc for non-pregnant women. Consequently, even fewer reach the increased requirement for pregnant and breastfeeding women. And that is exactly why Pregnancy Support contains zinc in optimal doses and with the best bioavailability.
Iodine & Selenium
Pregnant and lactating women have a considerable additional requirement with regard to iodine. An allowance of 30 to 60 μg is recommended.
Without the use of iodized table salt, 97% of women in Germany do not reach the recommended daily intake of iodine. Even assuming that iodized table salt was used for all recipes and mixes, half of women would still be below the recommended iodine intake.
Iodine is needed during pregnancy both to nourish the baby and for increased thyroid hormone production in the mother. Therefore, iodine should always be included in a product for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Since the selenium supply is also known to be suboptimal and an unfavorable iodine/selenium ratio can worsen Hashimoto's, in addition to iodine, Pregnancy Support also contains selenium in a scientifically sound ratio.
Copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum
There is no evidence that pregnant and breastfeeding women have an increased need for these trace elements. These trace elements were also not covered by the NVS II. For this reason, the trace elements were dosed in such a way that the basic supply is ensured but there is no risk of overdosage.
Choline
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recognized choline's status as an essential nutrient for several years. Since 1998, choline has already been officially classified as an essential nutrient by the Istitute of Medicine (IOM) in the USA. Unfortunately, the DGE is not yet up to date with the latest scientific findings and, contrary to the EFSA and the IOM, does not classify choline as an essential nutrient.
The EFSA has set a daily requirement of 400 mg of choline for adult women. During pregnancy, the requirement increases to take into account the growth of the child and changes in the measurements and composition of the mother's body. In the breastfeeding phase, the requirement increases again somewhat, as choline is released into the mother's milk. Because choline is a crucial component of breast milk, the addition of choline to infant formulas has been declared mandatory.
A balanced diet that includes meat, eggs, and dairy products can usually provide the recommended amount of choline. However, people on vegetarian or vegan diets often do not consume enough choline. Nutrient intake data show that there is a tendency for choline to be undersupplied, thus choline may be potentially critical.
The average intake in European pregnant women is estimated to be about 360 mg per day.
For this reason, Pregnancy Support contains choline in scientifically established dosages.
Pregnancy Support FAQ
Can Pregnancy Support be taken together with hypothyroidism or L-thyroxine?
The ingredients in Pregnancy Support have no known contraindication for being taken with thyroid medication such as L-thyroxine or in women with hypothyroidism. However, it is important that the L-thyroxine tablet is taken at least 30 minutes apart and any supplements taken in conjunction with medication should be cleared by your healthcare provider, especially when pregnant.
Does Pregnancy Support contain magnesium stearates (magnesium salts)?
Yes, Pregnancy Support contains gastric magnesium stearates, which are considered magnesium salts of fatty acids. Magnesium stearates have been studied extensively and are approved additives by EFSA. It has been repeatedly found that magnesium salts of edible fatty acids are 100% safe and therefore a maximum level is not even set.
The EFSA has indicated that: "Overall, the Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that the food additives sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium salts of fatty acids (E 470a and E 470b) were of no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels.“
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