Research shows that choosing a vegetarian or vegan diet can prevent women from getting all the nutrients they need for a healthy pregnancy.
Most women are not consuming the essential vitamins they need and this could worsen as more people opt for a plant-based diet, a study has found.
They specifically looked for vitamins found in meat and dairy products, such as vitamin D, B12 and B6, folic acid and riboflavin.
Folic acid and B12 help prevent birth defects such as spina bifida, vitamin D helps keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy and riboflavin supports the growth of bones, muscles and nerves in babies in the womb.
Most women aren't consuming the essential vitamins they need and this could worsen as more people opt for a plant-based diet, a study finds
Researchers said the amount of vitamins available in over-the-counter products 'substantially reduced the prevalence of deficiencies' before and during pregnancy (Stock Image)
Researchers found that more than 90 percent of the group had marginal or low levels of one or more of the vitamins, with many markers of B6 deficiency developing late in pregnancy.
Keith Godfrey, lead author of the study and professor of epidemiology at the University of Southampton, said: 'The drive to reduce our reliance on meat and dairy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions is likely to further deprive mothers of essential nutrients. exhaust. can have lasting consequences for the unborn child.'
The cohort was divided in two; an intervention group of 870 women and a control group of 859 women.
Both groups received supplements with 400 mg folic acid, 12 mg iron, 150 mg calcium, 150 mg iodine and 720 mg beta-carotene.
However, the control group's supplement also contained 1.8 mg riboflavin, 2.6 mg vitamin B6, 5.2 mg vitamin B12, 10 mg vitamin D and 10 mg zinc, as well as myo-inositol and probiotics.
Blood samples were collected before conception, early pregnancy, late pregnancy and six months after their babies were born.
Researchers said the amount of vitamins available in over-the-counter products “substantially reduced the prevalence of deficiencies” before and during pregnancy.
They added: 'In the context of increasing calls for more diets that are likely to be less nutrient dense, the findings suggest a need to reassess dietary recommendations for preconception and pregnancy and to explore the role of multi-micronutrient supplements in women in higher groups. to consider life further. -income countries.'
According to NHS England, women who want to become pregnant should take 400mg of folic acid every day from before pregnancy until they are 12 weeks pregnant to reduce the risk of problems with their baby's development.
A daily vitamin D supplement is also recommended.
Prof Godfrey added: 'Our research shows that almost every woman trying to conceive has inadequate levels of one or more vitamins, and this figure will only get worse as the world moves towards plant-based diets.
'People think nutrient deficiency only affects people in underdeveloped countries, but it also affects the majority of women in high-income countries.'
Professor Ian Givens, Director of the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health at the University of Reading, said: 'This study is very timely and should provide the impetus to reassess the nutritional supply of key nutrients before and during pregnancy.
'In British omnivores, dairy products, meat and fish provide about 80 percent of the vitamin B12 in the diet and meat, eggs and fish provide about 65 percent of the vitamin D in the diet, although the diet only provides about three micrograms per day , meaning supplemental vitamin D is necessary.
'As the authors suggest, the current trend towards diets that at least partially replace animal foods with plant foods will further increase the risk of suboptimal status of vitamins B12 and D (and other nutrients) in women of childbearing age. age. This must be taken into account when considering such a nutritional transition.'
The findings were published in PLOS Medicine.
The team was led by academics from the University of Southampton and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, the University of Auckland, the National University of Singapore and the Agency for Science, Research and Technology in Singapore. .