A Diet With Less Meat And Dairy Products Leads to Vitamin Deficiency Before and During Pregnancy

A woman’s wellbeing before conception and during pregnancy has a direct impact on her child’s health, lifelong physical development and ability to learn. However, research has found that pregnant women who eat a modern diet are missing out on key nutrients that they and their babies need, and this could be exacerbated with the switch to plant-based foods. Scientists at the University of Southampton, working with experts from around the world, surveyed more than 1,700 women and found that most of them lacked vitamins normally found in meat and dairy products, including B12, B6 and D, folic acid and riboflavin, which are essential for fetal development in the womb.

Nine Out of Ten Women are Deficient in Key Vitamins

A study that looked at the health of expectant mothers from high-income countries including the UK, New Zealand and Singapore found that 90 percent of them were deficient in key vitamins necessary for a healthy pregnancy and the wellbeing of their unborn child. In the study, they examined women in their third month. Lead author and Professor of Epidemiology Keith Godfrey from the University of Southampton explained that the prevalence of vitamin deficiency in women trying to conceive in affluent countries is a serious problem.

The study shows that almost every woman trying to conceive was deficient in one or more vitamins, and this number will only get worse as the world shifts to a plant-based diet. People often think that nutrient deficiencies only affect people in underdeveloped countries – but the majority of women in high-income countries are also affected.

The study, published in PLOS Medicine, examined 1,729 women between the ages of 18 and 38 at the time of conception and followed many of them during subsequent pregnancies. The results showed that nine out of ten women had marginal or low levels of folic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and D around the time of conception, and that many of them developed vitamin B6 deficiency in late pregnancy. Wayne Cutfield, professor of pediatric endocrinology at the University of Auckland and co-author of the study, explained that while folic acid is recommended for women planning to conceive and during pregnancy, expectant mothers should receive over-the-counter multivitamins to avoid nutrient deficiencies.

The PLOS Medicine study was the first to show that over-the-counter supplements can reduce vitamin deficiencies before conception, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The researchers emphasize the dangers if we continue to shift to a diet with less meat and dairy products, reducing the intake of micronutrients that are important for child development. This will further increase vitamin deficiencies unless women start taking more supplements or are supported with specific advice on nutrient-rich foods.

Why these Vitamins are Essential During Pregnancy

Expectant mothers should take enough vitamin B. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is crucial for good eye health and gives the skin a healthy glow. Whole grains, fortified foods and green leafy vegetables are a good source of this vitamin. In addition, riboflavin promotes the growth and development of the baby’s bones, muscles and nerves and prevents pre-eclampsia. Vitamin B6 is important for the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system. It also helps with the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates. Some research suggests that sufficient vitamin B6 can relieve morning sickness and vomiting in some women during pregnancy. Vitamin B12 is important because it helps to keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy. It also plays a role in DNA production, i.e. genetic cell material. Good sources of vitamin B12 are fortified foods and animal products such as meat, fish and dairy products. Vitamin D reduces the risk of childhood eczema and is associated with higher IQ scores in children. Vitamin D is also involved in building healthy bones. Oily fish, egg yolks, edible mushrooms and fortified foods such as margarine contain a lot of vitamin D.

Especially during pregnancy, the correct intake of folic acid is essential to ensure the health of the growing baby. If the expectant mother suffers from a folic acid deficiency, this can lead to disorders in embryo development and damage to the central nervous system. A folic acid deficiency during pregnancy is also associated with certain fetal malformations (e.g. neural tube defects, spina bifida). Legumes, yeast and cereal germ are considered valuable sources of folic acid. Green leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach), asparagus, carrots, tomatoes, radishes, kale and Brussels sprouts, as well as soybeans, avocados, bananas, oranges and meat (especially liver) are also good sources.