Choline - important for mother and child

Already a few months prior to a planned pregnancy, experts recommend targeted supply and supplementation with important vital substances, especially folic acid. And also during pregnancy and breastfeeding, targeted compensation of increased nutrient requirements is of great importance. The recommendations apply to folic acid, the vitamins B12 and D and the minerals magnesium, iron and iodine in particular.

Choline for your baby’s neural development

In addition to these established recommendations, nutritionists are increasingly gaining insight into the importance of choline for prenatal nutrition. Choline is a compound that is a building block for cell membranes (phosphatidylcholine) as well as for neurotransmitter in the brain (acetylcholine). Because of these functions, it plays a central role in the neural development of the unborn child. Even later, after birth, an adequate supply of choline during pregnancy seems to have positive effects. For example, infants from mothers with a high choline intake showed improved learning and memory performance in studies.

Choline deficiency - risk factor for neural tube defects

Neural tube defects are the most common malformations of the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord. They occur between the 3rd and 4th week of pregnancy, if the embryonic neural tube is incompletely closed. To prevent neural tube defects, the additional intake of folic acid has long been the standard in preconceptional care. However, choline and betaine, a breakdown product of choline, seem to have this protective effect as well. Several studies have shown a significant reduction in the risk of neural tube defects due to high choline intake - despite already existing folic acid supplementation. In line with this, poor choline intake on the other hand was associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects.

Choline deficiency - risk also for the mother-to-be

Because choline is also important for maternal homocysteine breakdown and liver function, a low choline intake during pregnancy can lead to increased homocysteine levels. These in turn are considered to be a risk factor for pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, prematurity and reduced birth weight. The choline demand is significantly increased during pregnancy and lactation, pregnant women are recommended to take 450 mg daily, breastfeeding women even 550 mg daily. Undersupply of pregnant women and nursing mothers is unfortunately very common, 90% do not achieve the recommended daily intake.

Inclusion of choline in the official recommendations for prenatal supplements

Recently, international nutrition experts have argued for including choline in preparations for pregnancy and breastfeeding. US health authorities have already included choline in the official recommendations for prenatal supplements, but authorities in Europe are still lagging behind. It is therefore not surprising that there are hardly any products for pregnant and breastfeeding women on the European market that contain choline.

The food supplement Fertilovit® For2 plus DHA is one of these few preparations and is now available on the entire European market. The innovative combination product is tailored to meed the the needs of women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition to choline, it contains a comprehensive supply of all important nutrients including the recommended amount of 400 µg folic acid. 200 mg of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA also make a valuable contribution to the normal development of the brain and eyes of the fetus and breastfeed infant. Exclusively fish oil capsules from the leading premium brand Epax® are used as DHA source These are characterized by the highest, standardized and consistent quality as well as certified and sustainable fishing.

Gonadosan Distribution GmbH
Römerstr. 2
6900 Bregenz
Österreich
Tel. +43 5574 54195
Email: office@fertilovit.com
Web: www.fertilovit.com

Gonadosan - this is the name of a young Swiss-Austrian company dedicated to the development of innovative orthomolecular concepts. In our interdisciplinary team and in international cooperations we develop highly specific complex micronutrient preparations to offer research-based dietary support for men and women.

This release was published on openPR.