Pregnant women in “rich” countries are already not getting enough nutrients for themselves and their babies in their womb, a study says. The situation is likely to worsen with increasing vegan diets and the elimination of meat and dairy products.
A study that examined the health status of expectant mothers from high-income countries found that 90 percent of women lacked essential vitamins necessary for a healthy pregnancy and the well-being of the unborn child. Scientists at the University of Southampton (UK) studied 1,729 women and found that most of them lacked essential nutrients that are abundant in meat and dairy products. These include vitamins B12, B6 and D, folic acid (B9) and riboflavin (B2), which are important for the development of the fetus in the womb.
Keith Godfrey, lead author of the study and professor of epidemiology, calls the vitamin deficiency identified a serious problem. “Our study shows that almost every woman trying to conceive had deficient levels of one or more vitamins, and this number will only get worse as the world shifts to plant-based diets,” said Godfrey. “People think that nutrient deficiencies only affect people in underdeveloped countries – but it also affects the majority of women in high-income countries.”
The international research group therefore emphasizes the importance of over-the-counter dietary supplements. Researcher Shiao-Yng Chan from the University of Singapore, who was also involved in the study, said: “If we continue to move towards a diet with less meat and dairy products, this will reduce the intake of micronutrients that are important for a child’s development , vitamin deficiencies will continue to increase unless women take more supplements or are supported with specific advice on nutrient-dense foods.”