Gentle Prenatal

Key Ingredients

Vitamin D3

Benefits: Once thought to be important only for calcium absorption and bone health, scientists have now found that vitamin D has important actions throughout the body. Low vitamin D levels are associated with diminished immune function, several cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases.

Why we should supplement: Many people have insufficient vitamin D levels. Since many of us live in cool climates and work indoors, and because of the potential risks of skin damage and skin cancer from too much sun exposure, supplementing is the best choice for achieving adequate vitamin D levels. Gentle Prenatal contains 25 mcg (1000 IU) of vegan vitamin D3. D3 is more effective than D2 for raising 25(OH)D levels. 50 mcg is an appropriate dose to bring many people into the favorable blood 25(OH)D range of 30-45 ng/ml, but some people may require a lower dose.

About our D3: The vegan D3 in Gentle Prenatal is derived from lichen sourced from the UK.

Vitamin B12

Benefits: Vitamin B12 is required for red blood cell production, nervous system function, and DNA synthesis. Deficiency in B12 can cause a variety of health problems, including anemia, depression, confusion, fatigue, digestive issues, and nerve damage.

Why we should supplement: B12 deficiency is common, especially in vegans who don't supplement, and in older adults, since absorption efficiency declines with age.

About our B12: We use methylcobalamin, one of the natural forms of B12 used in the body. Since research suggests we absorb only a small proportion of the B12 ingested, Dr. Fuhrman recommends taking 75 mcg daily to ensure we absorb the DV of 2.4 mcg.

Vitamin K2

Benefits: Vitamin K drives chemical reactions that control bone formation, and getting sufficient vitamin K may help to maintain bone mineral density. There is some evidence that K2 is more bioavailable, and has higher functional activity than K1, particularly for functions outside of blood coagulation, such as those related to bone and cardiovascular health.

Why we should supplement: Vitamin K2 is produced by bacteria and is low in most plant foods, in contrast to K1 which is abundant in green vegetables.

About our K2: Our vitamin K2 is made from flower extracts and is sourced from Norway.

Choline

Benefits: Choline acts as a building block of the baby's developing brain, making it an important nutrient during pregnancy.

Why we should supplement: Most Americans do not meet choline intake recommendations, and most prenatal multivitamins do not include choline.

About our choline: The choline in Gentle Prenatal is derived from sunflower lecithin.

Calcium

Benefits: Gentle Prenatal contains a conservative dose (100 mg) of calcium from mineral-rich seaweed, to replicate the absorption from calcium-containing foods. Adequate dietary calcium is necessary to have strong, healthy bones.

Why we should supplement: Although adequate calcium can be obtained from a Nutritarian diet, supplementing may be appropriate for some women, such as those who have a smaller appetite for green vegetables.

About our calcium: Our calcium and some magnesium is supplied in the form of whole powdered seaweed, harvested off the coasts of Ireland and Iceland.

Iron

Benefits: Adequate iron stores are essential for fetal brain development and may also be important for mother-child bonding.

Why we should supplement: Women's iron needs increase during pregnancy because of increased blood volume, and the iron needs of the developing baby.

About our iron: Gentle Prenatal uses Ferronyl® iron, which is a highly bioavailable form and gentle on the digestive system. The daily dose of 18 mg iron is split between two capsules to avoid the nausea and constipation commonly associated with iron supplements.

Iodine

Benefits: Iodine is required for the body to produce thyroid hormones.

Why we should supplement: Most plant foods are low in iodine, and iodized salt is the main dietary source. If you follow a vegan or near-vegan diet, especially if you avoid adding salt to your food, your iodine intake is probably low.

About our iodine: Our iodine is derived from Atlantic kelp sourced from Canada.

Zinc

Benefits: Zinc is essential for immune function, growth, and reproduction, and supports hundreds of chemical reactions. Zinc adequacy is especially important to maintain our immune defenses and resistance to infection as we age.

Why we should supplement: Zinc is abundant in whole plant foods, but is not readily absorbed. Beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds contain zinc, but also contain substances that inhibit zinc absorption. Zinc intake and circulating zinc levels are lower in vegetarians and vegans, and zinc requirements for those on a completely plant-based diet are estimated to be about 50 percent higher than the standard recommendations.

About our zinc: Gentle Prenatal supplies 7.5 mg zinc per serving as zinc bisglycinate and zinc picolinate, two bioavailable forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Gentle Prenatal contain folic acid?

Gentle Prenatal does not contain folic acid, a synthetic substitute for natural folate. Folic acid is a potentially dangerous supplement that is typically recommended to pregnant women despite the negative effects associated with it. Folate deficiency is dangerous, especially during early pregnancy because of the risk of neural tube defects. However, it is safer to get folate from food than to get synthetic folic acid – which is different from food folate – from supplements. Because folic acid is more bioavailable, supplementation (along with fortified refined grain products) could lead to excessive amounts of folic acid in the body. There is evidence that excess folic acid has cancer-promoting effects. Also, some but not all studies have reported folic acid supplementation during pregnancy was associated with a greater risk of asthma in children. On the other hand, diets high in vegetables during pregnancy have been linked to better health outcomes, including a lower risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, and allergies in children.

Which vitamins and minerals might be harmful when taken as supplements?

In addition to folic acid, high doses of supplemental beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E have each been linked to an increased risk of death in several studies. There is also evidence that supplemental vitamin A contributes to osteoporotic fractures. Importantly, folate, vitamin E, and beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) are all easy to obtain from vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Anyone following a healthful diet does not need to supplement with these nutrients. Dr. Fuhrman also recommends avoiding copper and selenium as supplements, and only taking iron if necessary.

How much iron do I need during pregnancy?

Iron is an important nutrient during pregnancy, but excess iron is also a problem. It is appropriate for pregnant women to supplement with a conservative dose of iron. For specific recommendations on iron supplementation based on your blood ferritin level, complete Dr. Fuhrman's Personalized Vitamin Advisor assessment.

Do I really need a multivitamin if I eat healthfully?

You need a multivitamin designed to complement your healthful diet. Vitamins and minerals are the foundations for our body's essential everyday functions, like energy metabolism, immune system function, bone strength, muscle contraction, and brain function Health-promoting plant foods provide us with vitamins, minerals, and beneficial phytochemicals, and eating more plant protein and less animal protein is linked to longevity. But reducing animal foods also reduces our intake or absorption of vitamin B12, vitamin K2, zinc, and iodine.

However, keep in mind most conventional multivitamins supply a lot of nutrients you don't need along with the important ones: beta-carotene (you get plenty from fruits and vegetables), vitamin E (you get plenty from nuts and seeds), and folic acid (you get plenty of folate from greens). Plus, these ingredients might be harmful when taken as supplements (see above). Dr. Fuhrman designed his multivitamins to give you the nutrients you need, not the ones you don't.

Is Gentle Prenatal gluten-free? Allergen-free?

Gentle Prenatal does not contain soy, wheat, gluten, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or sesame. Gentle Prenatal is not manufactured in an allergen-free or gluten-free facility. Our manufacturing facility has an allergen control program in place designed to properly handle, store and use materials in production to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination, in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

What research went into this product?

Below are the studies that informed the development of this product:

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43. Kim H, Caulfield LE, Garcia-Larsen V, et al. Plant-Based Diets Are Associated With a Lower Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Disease Mortality, and All-Cause Mortality in a General Population of Middle-Aged Adults. J Am Heart Assoc 2019, 8:e012865.

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