Nutritional supplements in pregnancy: commercial push or evidence based?
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review examines whether nutritional supplements during pregnancy have a role to play in the health of the mother, outcome of pregnancy or health of the baby. It will put into context the increased use of nutritional supplements in pregnancy and whether there is an evidence base for this supplementation. RECENT FINDINGS: Women are not consuming enough nutrients from their diet alone and food is depleted in many important minerals. There is increasing support that supplementation of specific vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids can have a positive impact on maternal health in terms of prevention of preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm birth, low birthweight, gestational diabetes and also on the long-term health of the baby. There are some contradictory findings with antioxidants and prevention of preeclampsia, and these are discussed. SUMMARY: With soil depletion, overfarming and transportation of foods over hundreds of miles with loss of nutrients en route, together with the increased use of convenience and fast foods, women can be over-fed, but under-nourished in our modern society. These can lead to nutrient deficiencies which can have an impact on the outcome of pregnancy. Evidence shows that supplementation can play a valuable role in the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. Emphasis must always be on eating a good diet, but given the limitations of the 21st century lifestyle and the nutritional content of food, good quality nutritional supplements should be used during pregnancy in combinations rather than isolated single nutrients.
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Taking nutritional supplements during pregnancy can have a positive effect on the health of the mother, the course of the pregnancy, and the health of the child.
“Taking nutritional supplements during pregnancy can have a positive effect on the health of the mother, the course of the pregnancy, and the health of the child [157].”
From Current update on malaria in pregnancy: a systematic review (2025) · cites this paper as [157]
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Current update on malaria in pregnancy: a systematic review
Minwuyelet, A., Yewhalaw, D., Siferih, M., & Atenafu, G. (2025) · Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines · doi:10.1186/s40794-025-00248-1 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Glenville, M.
- Corresponding author
- Glenville, Marilyn
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Published
- 2006-12
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 642-647
- ISSN
- 1040-872X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1975064059
- Cited by
- 36
- References
- 61
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Keywords
- dietary supplements, pregnancy, maternal nutrition, preeclampsia prevention, miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, gestational diabetes mellitus, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, nutritional deficiency, dietary intake, infant health
- MeSH terms
- Antioxidants, Deficiency Diseases, Female, Humans, Minerals, Mouth Abnormalities, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Depression, Postpartum, Evidence-Based Medicine, Dietary Supplements
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