What Prenatal should I take?
As a functional health practitioner, I am often asked which prenatal I recommend.
My answer? It depends!
But here is something to consider when choosing a formula: how much choline does it contain?
Here is why:
Studies show around 90% of women do not consume enough choline in their diets.
The recommended intake for a woman is 450mg.
This is problematic because the demand for choline increases even more during pregnancy and our babies will use our reserves as they grow, leaving us deficient if we do not take action.
What is Choline?
Choline is an essential nutrient needed for optimal health.
It plays many roles in the body such as:
It is converted into acetylcholine, which in turn as a neurotransmitter plays a role in behavior, memory, & learning (PMID: 36041182).
It is essential for healthy gall bladder function.
It supports baby’s neural tube formation, as well a mother’s healthy metabolism, blood pressure, and mood.
A deficiency in choline has been associated with liver & muscle damage and increased homocysteine.
Food sources of choline include:
Pan fried beef liver
Eggs (especially the yokes)
Lean braised beef top round
Roasted soy beans
Roasted chicken breast
Cooked Fresh Cod
Baked red potatoes with skin
Canned kidney beans
To optimize my choline intake, I love to priortize foods rich in choline, but also give myself a boost by choosing Needed’s Multi Prenatal Powder. It tastes like vanilla and I love to mix it in fresh milk.
Need a prenatal? Be sure to check with your doctor for your specific needs, but if you choose to go with Needed, you can save 20% on your first order by using my dispensary link here.
Resources:
Patterson K, Bhagwat S, Williams JR, Howe JC, Holden JM, Zeisel SHet al. USDA Database for the Choline Content of Common Foods, release 2. Nutrient Data Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service USDA. 2008. Available from: https://data.nal.usda.gov/dataset/usda-database-choline-content-common-foods-release-2-2008(accessed 24 April 2021). [Google Scholar]
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-choline#sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9776654/#bib9
