Eriko Takamine
FSN 310
Dr. Swadener
4/11/2012
Prenatal supplement comparison assignment
a. Clinical Nutrients Prenatal Formula is more preferable to Wellness Essentials for
Pregnancy for a 25-year-old pregnant woman (age group: 19-30y) because Clinical
Nutrients Prenatal Formula meets the RDAs of 21 nutrients out of 28 as opposed to 17
nutrients in Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy. Both supplements have more than 125%
of the RDAs in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6,
folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, zinc, selenium, copper, and chromium.
In addition, Clinical Nutrients Prenatal Formula has more than 125% of the RDAs in
vitamin K and iodine. I am not worried about those nutrients that have more than 125% of
each DRA except vitamin A and niacin. Clinical Nutrients Prenatal Formula has more
vitamin A and niacin than those RDAs, so I am worried and curious why. I assume
vitamin A and niacin are consumed more quickly than other nutrients during pregnancy.
Even though Clinical Nutrients Prenatal Formula has 30,769% of vitamin B12, there is no
upper limit (UL) for this nutrient, so I assume this is still safe for pregnant women. The
nutrients that have at least 125% of its RDA might be something that should never lack to
feed children inside the body. I am not sure why some nutrients such as phosphorus,
chloride, potassium and fluoride are not or almost not contained in supplements; however,
it is possible that these can be fulfilled relatively easily with meals. Both of the
supplements contain many nutrients much more than RDAs, and some of them even have
more than 10 times of their RDAs. Since they do not exceed their ULs, I assume it is still
not harmful but it sounds too much to take everyday.
b. Both of the supplements contain more than 125% of RDAs for the nutrients that do not
have specific ULs. Both of them do not contain phosphorus, iodine, chloride and fluoride.
The same amounts of iron, chromium and molybdenum are found in both of the
supplements. Some nutrients such as thiamin, niacin, vitamin B12 are about 10 times more
abundant in Clinical Nutrients prenatal Formula.
c. Non-micronutrient additives for Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy:
Microcrystalline cellulose, Soybean oil, Natural marine lipid concentrate [fish
(sardine, anchovy, and mackerel)], croscarmellose sodium, gelatin, sorbitol, cellulose,
glycerin, stearic acid (vegetable), water, purified water, silica, natural lemon flavor, coating,
beeswax, natural tocopherols, lecithin (soy), rosemary, carob powder, ascorbyl palmitate.
Non-micronutrient additives for Clinical Nutrients Prenatal Formula:
cellulose, modified cellulose gum, stearic acid, modified cellulose,
magnesium stearate, vegetable glycerin, acacia, organic maltodextrin, and soybean oil.
Most non-micronutrient additives are used for digestion, flavor, taste, and some of
them are anti-oxidants.
d. Vitamin B6 and folic acid are required for pregnant women to take more than
non-pregnant women. Vitamin B6 is important for protein, carbohydrate and fat
metabolism. In addition, it also helps absorb and metabolize amino acids along with
formation of red blood cells, neurotransmitters and antibodies. It is also necessary for
formation of fetal brain and spine. If enough folic acid is not taken during pregnancy, the
pregnant woman might have anemia, preeclampsia, hemorrhage and preterm delivery.
The fetus might have low birth weight, congenital anomalies, NTDs, brain and heart
defects and cleft palate. NTDs occur around 21-27 days after conception, so folic acid is
important especially during the first trimester.
http://www.testcountry.org/vitamin-b-complex.htm
e. These supplements might be great for pregnant women, but I would search and look for
other things so I do not recommend at least until I figure out why the prices are very
different. Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy costs $2.08/day and Clinical Nutrients
Prenatal Formula costs $1.032/day. The former supplement is as twice as expensive than
the other one. According to the package, Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy uses packets
instead of pills, and several pills and/or capsules are put in one packet; I assume it is
because it is easier for consumers to understand and take them. Clinical Nutrients
Prenatal Formula is cheaper but 4 pills should be taken everyday. At a glance, I thought
Wellness Essentials for Pregnancy has more nutrients than the other one because of the
price, but surprisingly it actually has fewer nutrients than the other one.
f. I learned that not all prenatal supplements have all the nutrients that are needed during
pregnancy. Since I always thought that unless a supplement specifies only one or a few
nutrients, it contains all and enough nutrients that needed for the targets especially for
pregnant and lactating women because lack of nutrients during this time of period will
affect the fetus or infants and might cause life-long disabilities. Also, it was surprising
that there are many nutrients that contain more than their RDAs.