Prenatal nutrition: when supplements make the difference

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes profound changes and requires an extra supply of essential nutrients. Even with a balanced diet, it can be difficult to meet all the body’s needs through food alone. That’s why supplementing with prenatal vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 DHA, and iron is fundamental to supporting maternal health and the baby’s optimal development.

Folic acid in pregnancy: essential for fetal development

Folate (vitamin B9) is found in foods such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, and kiwi. It plays a crucial role in the growth of rapidly dividing tissues, including those of the fetus.

The synthetic form, folic acid, is more stable and widely used in prenatal supplements. However, not all the folic acid consumed is effectively absorbed. That’s why it is important to choose highly bioavailable forms.

In Italy, the National Institute of Health recommends 0.4 mg (400 μg) per day during pregnancy.¹ Proper folic acid supplementation helps prevent neural tube defects and supports the healthy development of the baby’s nervous system.²

Vitamin B12 in pregnancy: support for mother and baby

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is vital for red blood cell formation, myelin synthesis, and DNA production. It is naturally found only in animal-based foods such as eggs, dairy, meat, liver, fish, and shellfish.³

Vegetarian and vegan women are particularly at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy, which has been linked to growth delays and neurological issues in infants. Studies show that B12 levels in vegetarian pregnant women often fall below the recommended range, with 25% of them presenting elevated plasma homocysteine levels—an indicator of possible cardiovascular complications.⁴

For this reason, it is strongly recommended to monitor B12 levels and consider supplementation when necessary.

Vitamin D in pregnancy: the “sunshine vitamin”

Vitamin D, often called the sunshine vitamin, functions as a hormone and is crucial for bone health, calcium and phosphorus absorption, and immune regulation.

During early pregnancy, vitamin D supports embryo implantation and hormone balance. Supplementation throughout pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of gestational hypertension (preeclampsia), preterm birth, and low birth weight.⁵ The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends 10 μg per day of vitamin D for all pregnant and breastfeeding women.⁶

DHA in pregnancy: omega-3 for neurological development

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid, is essential for the development of the baby’s nervous system and retina. It also supports uteroplacental blood flow, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus.

Prenatal DHA supplements have been shown to reduce the risk of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).⁷ The recommended daily intake is around 200 mg per day.⁸

Iron in pregnancy: preventing iron deficiency

Iron is critical for the production of hemoglobin and myoglobin, which transport oxygen throughout the body. During pregnancy, the demand for iron increases significantly, especially in the third trimester, when up to an additional gram of iron is required to support both mother and baby.

Iron deficiency in pregnancy is one of the leading causes of anemia and can negatively impact birth weight and cognitive development in children.⁹ Targeted iron supplementation, together with a diet rich in red meat, legumes, and leafy greens, is often necessary.

Sucrosomial® Technology: improving nutrient absorption

While the importance of micronutrients in pregnancy is well known, their absorption and bioavailability can often be limited. To address this, Pharmanutra developed Sucrosomial® Technology, which encapsulates vitamins and minerals in a matrix of phospholipids and sucrester fatty acid esters, forming a unique structure called the Sucrosome®.

This innovative delivery system prevents nutrients from being released in the stomach, ensuring better absorption and reducing common side effects associated with traditional prenatal supplements.¹⁰

SiderAL® Mamma: complete prenatal supplement in one capsule

SiderAL® Mamma is a nutritional supplement specifically designed for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Each capsule provides:

• Iron, zinc, selenium, iodine, vitamin D3, and vitamin B12 in Sucrosomial® form
• 200 mg of DHA from highly bioavailable microalgae
• 400 mcg of next-generation active folic acid, ready for absorption

Thanks to Sucrosomial® Technology, these nutrients are absorbed efficiently without gastrointestinal side effects, making it especially suitable even in cases of morning sickness.
Learn more about SiderAL® Mamma

Prenatal nutrition: key takeaways

Balanced prenatal nutrition is the foundation for maternal health and the baby’s development. Supplementing with folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, DHA, and iron—especially when delivered through advanced solutions such as Sucrosomial® Technology—provides effective support during this delicate stage of life.

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist to determine the supplementation best suited to your pregnancy journey.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. https://www.epicentro.iss.it/acido-folico/
2. IOM (Institute of Medicine). Food and Nutrition Board Dietary Reference Intakes for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. National Academy Press, Washington, DC,USA. 1998.
3. Otten J.J., et al; Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies; Washington, DC, USA: 2006.
4. Koebnick C, Hoffmann I, Dagnelie PC, Heins UA, Wickramasinghe SN, Ratnayaka ID et al. Long-term ovo-lacto vegetarian diet impairs vitamin B-12 status in pregnant women. J Nutr 2004; 134: 3319-26.
5. Hollis BW, Wagner CL. Vitamin D requirements and supplementation during pregnancy, 2011 Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 18:371-47.
6. NICE. Vitamin D: supplement use in specific population groups. 2014.
7. Alvino G, Cetin I. Ruolo degli acidi grassi omega-3 LC-PUFA in gravidanza e nell’allattamento. Il Ginecologo. 2008; 3 (1).
8. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) Panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on dietary reference values for fats, including saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and cholestero1. EFSA  Journal 2010; 8(3):1461.
9. Georgieff MK. Iron deficiency in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Oct;223(4):516-524. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.03.006. Epub 2020 Mar 14. PMID: 32184147; PMCID: PMC7492370.
10. Gómez-Ramírez S, Brilli E, Tarantino G, Girelli D, Muñoz M. Sucrosomial® iron: an updated review of its clinical efficacy for the treatment of iron deficiency. Pharmaceuticals 2023;16:847.