Why a healthy diet is not enough for fertility and pregnancy

It's easy to assume that eating a healthy, balanced diet will provide all the nutrients needed during your preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum journey. However, the reality is that most people do not receive adequate nutrients from diet alone (for a multitude of reasons) especially when it comes to optimizing fertility health and nourishing a developing baby. Falling short on critical nutrients can potentially impact fertility, increase the risk of complications, and compromise maternal and fetal health. The good news is that these nutrient gaps can be bridged! 

 

RDAs are too low for optimal reproductive health

The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) were established during World War II to prevent nutrient deficiency diseases like scurvy, rickets, and pellagra. These guidelines were not designed to provide optimal nutrient levels for specific life stages like preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum.

 

The RDAs represent the minimum intake levels to meet the needs of 97% to 98% of healthy individuals. While adequate for preventing overt deficiencies, they fall short of the increased nutrient demands during pregnancy and reproductive years.

 

A woman's nutritional requirements increase substantially during pregnancy to support fetal growth and her physiological changes. 

 

Yet the RDAs for many key nutrients like iron, folate, and omega-3s are significantly lower than recommended intake levels for pregnant women.

 

Additionally, the RDAs don't account for individual variations in nutrient absorption and utilization based on genetics, health status, and environmental factors. This one-size-fits-all approach fails to recognize the unique needs of women during their reproductive years.

 

While a healthy diet is important, relying solely on the RDAs can lead to significant nutrient gaps with serious consequences for both mother and baby. That's why many healthcare professionals recommend high-quality prenatal supplements formulated to bridge this gap and meet the increased nutrient demands of preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum.

 

Related: 6 nutrients that can help reduce your risk of miscarriage

 

Soil quality and the modern diet

 

Our modern world is nutrient-depleted. Much of this is due to agricultural incentives and the rise of processed foods. The nutritional values of many popular vegetables, from asparagus to spinach, have dropped significantly since 1950. A study found important nutrients in some crops are up to 38% lower than there were at the middle of the 20th century. On average, across the 43 vegetables analyzed, calcium content declined by 16%, iron by 15% and phosphorus by 9%. A research review on pesticides and their effects on soil found that pesticides negatively impacted the organisms by as much as 70%.

 

 

Even with the best intentions, there are several other factors can contribute to nutrient deficiencies during the reproductive years, including:

-Dietary choices and restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, or food allergies)
-Increased nutrient demands during pregnancy, which can quickly deplete maternal stores
-Nausea and food aversions limiting intake
-Medication interactions and absorption issues that limit nutrient bioavailability

 

How nutrient deficiencies impact us

Nutrient deficiencies compromise immune systems; hinder child growth, development, and school performance; and limit human capital worldwide. And when it comes to pregnancy and fertility is even more crucial. A recent study found that over 90% of pregnant women are not meeting expectations for key nutrients that support pregnancy—and that most prenatal supplements do not provide key nutrients in the doses needed to support pregnant women (that's just one way WeNatal stands out).

 

Common nutrient deficiencies

Even with a nutritious diet, many men and women of childbearing age are deficient in critical nutrients that play a vital role in fertility and pregnancy health. Some of the most common deficiencies include:

1. Iron: Inadequate iron levels can impair ovulation, increase the risk of preterm delivery, and contribute to postpartum depression.
2. Folate: A deficiency in this B vitamin increases the risk of neural tube defects and may negatively impact fertility.
3. Vitamin D: Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
4. Omega-3 fatty acids: These essential fats support fetal brain and eye development, and a deficiency may contribute to postpartum depression.

 

Consequences of nutrient deficiencies on fertility and pregnancy

 

Failing to meet your body's heightened nutritional demands during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum can have implications including:

-Impaired ovulation and egg quality, reducing the chances of conception
-Increased risk of birth defects and developmental delays
-Preterm birth and low birth weight
-Postpartum depression and other maternal mental health issues
-Long-term health implications for the baby

 

A 14-year follow-up of a randomized control trial looked at intellectual development of children born of women who supplemented with a prenatal versus women who were only given iron and/or folic acid. The results showed that women who took a multivitamin/mineral prenatal supplement starting within the first trimester had adolescent children with a 2.16 point higher IQ (intelligence quotient) and 4.29-point higher verbal comprehension index compared to the control groups. 

 

The role of prenatal supplements: Bridging the nutrient gap

 

To optimize reproductive health and give your baby the best nutritional foundation, a high-quality prenatal supplement is recommended. Think of it as insurance against deficiencies in your diet while also prioritizing the right vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in their most bioavailable forms. 

 

Given the prevalence of nutrient deficiencies and their potential consequences, prenatal supplements are essential for bridging the nutrient gap. However, not all prenatal vitamins are created equal. Look for targeted formulations that are third-party tested and are specifically designed for the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods, providing optimal dosages and highly bioavailable forms of essential nutrients.

 

WeNatal prenatal: The superior choice for fertility and pregnancy health

 

At WeNatal, we understand the unique nutritional needs of women and men during their reproductive years. Our premium prenatal supplements are carefully formulated to provide the comprehensive nutrient profile required for optimal fertility, a healthy pregnancy, and postpartum recovery.

 

1. 100% clean formula: no synthetic dyes, fillers, preservatives, or artificial ingredients.
2. Right nutrients, right dose: formulated with key, hard to find nutrients, including folate and choline, in the most bioavailable form.
3. Just three pills daily: nutrient density of 6 to 8 pills packed into just 3 a day.
4. Attention to men’s health: unique formula to promote fertility for the other half of the equation.
5. The only supplement with a holistic approach: supporting mind and body with effective tools like the WeNatal Journal.

 

Don't compromise on your fertility and pregnancy health. Trust WeNatal's men's prenatal and women's prenatal supplements to provide the superior nutritional support you and your baby deserve. 

 

References:

 

Davis DR, Epp MD, Riordan HD. Changes in USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops, 1950 to 1999. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004;23(6):669-682. doi:10.1080/07315724.2004.10719409

 

Pesticides and soil invertebrates: A hazard assessment10.3389/fenvs.2021.643847

 

Sauder KA, Couzens GL, Bailey RL, Hockett CW, Switkowski KM, Lyall K, Kerver JM, Dabelea D, Maldonado LE, O’Connor TG, Deoni SC. Selecting a dietary supplement with appropriate dosing for 6 key nutrients in pregnancy. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2023 Apr 1;117(4):823-9.