Micronutrients & recovery
Vitamin B12 deficiency is highly prevalent in vegetarian and vegan pregnant women, increasing in the third trimester, and poses a risk for neural tube defects and neurological impairment if not supplemented.
Vitamin B12 is critical for your baby's brain development. If you are vegan or vegetarian, you are at high risk for deficiency, especially in the third trimester. You likely need a B12 supplement or consistent intake of fortified foods. Do not rely on 'healthy eating' alone, as plant sources are scarce. Get your levels tested.
The prevalence of B12 deficiency... was 17% and 38%, respectively... The higher deficiency in vegetarian pregnant women in the third trimester pointed out a depletion of vitamin B12 stores
Why this rating
Based on observational cohort studies (PREFORM, Koebnick) showing high prevalence, but no RCTs on supplementation outcomes in vegans.
Source
The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diet during Pregnancy on the Health of Mothers and Offspring
Giorgia Sebastiani et al. · Nutrients · 2019
DOI 10.3390/nu11030557
More from this paper
- Well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets during pregnancy are safe for maternal and fetal health but require strict monitoring and supplementation of key micronutrients (B12, D, iron, calcium, zinc) to prevent deficiency-related adverse outcomes.Moderate
- Vegetarian and vegan diets are associated with lower maternal BMI and reduced risk of overweight/obesity compared to omnivorous diets, but may carry risks of low bone mineral density and osteoporosis if calcium intake is insufficient.Moderate
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