Download PDF
Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2465-5163
Short Communication

Omega-3 Levels in Prenatal Supplements

Mary J. Scourboutakos
1   Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
,
Elenee H. Harper
2   Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
,
Michael T. Kopec
1   Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
,
Lauren Rose
3   Academic Family Health Team, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Milena Forte
4   Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
› Further Information
Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to systematically document the reported omega-3 levels in commercially available prenatal supplements in the United States and Canada, and compare these levels to recommended intakes in pregnancy.

Study Design Commercial prenatal supplements were identified using the Dietary Supplement Label Database (n = 50) and the Licensed Natural Health Products Database (n = 18). Mean omega-3 levels and the proportion of products meeting recommendations for pregnant women were tabulated.

Results Average omega-3 levels were 368 ± 33 mg in the United States and 404 ± 72 mg in Canada. Seventy percent of products in the United States and 61% in Canada contained the amount of omega-3 levels recommended for pregnant women with sufficient intakes. Sixteen percent of products in the United States and 28% in Canada contained the dose recommended for pregnant women with insufficient intakes.

Conclusion These results illustrate that commercial prenatal supplements contain a wide variety of omega-3 fatty acid levels that may or may not be consistent with recommended intake levels.

Key Points

  • most pregnant women consume inadequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

  • omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent preterm birth.

  • new guidelines recommend increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy.

  • prenatal supplements contain a wide variety of omega-3 fatty acid levels.

  • omega-3 levels in prenatal supplements may or may not be consistent with recommended intake levels.

Keywords

prenatal supplements - omega-3 fatty acids - preterm birth

Authors' Contributions

M.J.S. takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.


M.J.S. conceived the study. M.J.S., E.H.H., M.T.K., L.R., and M.F. designed the study. M.J.S. and Harper acquired the data. M.J.S. analyzed and interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. M.J.S., E.H.H., M.T.K., L.R., and M.F. reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content and approved the final version. M.F. and M.T.K. supervised the study.




Publication History

Received: 09 July 2024

Accepted: 11 November 2024

Article published online:
04 December 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

  • References

  • 1 Zhang Z, Fulgoni VL, Kris-Etherton PM, Mitmesser SH. Dietary intakes of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids among us childbearing-age and pregnant women: an analysis of NHANES 2001-2014. Nutrients 2018; 10 (04) 10
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Denomme J, Stark KD, Holub BJ. Directly quantitated dietary (n-3) fatty acid intakes of pregnant Canadian women are lower than current dietary recommendations. J Nutr 2005; 135 (02) 206-211
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Middleton P, Gomersall JC, Gould JF, Shepherd E, Olsen SF, Makrides M. Omega-3 fatty acid addition during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 11 (11) CD003402
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 March of Dimesǀ . The Partnership ǀ Save the Children ǀ World Health Organization; Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth. 2012
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 5 Cetin I, Carlson SE, Burden C. et al; Clinical Practice Guideline on behalf of Asia Pacific Health Association (Pediatric-Neonatology Branch), Child Health Foundation (Stiftung Kindergesundheit), European Academy of Paediatrics, European Board & College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants, European Society for Paediatric Research, and International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Omega-3 fatty acid supply in pregnancy for risk reduction of preterm and early preterm birth. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2024; 6 (02) 101251
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Bloomingdale A, Guthrie LB, Price S. et al. A qualitative study of fish consumption during pregnancy. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 92 (05) 1234-1240
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Adams JB, Kirby JK, Sorensen JC, Pollard EL, Audhya T. Evidence based recommendations for an optimal prenatal supplement for women in the US: vitamins and related nutrients. Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol 2022; 8 (01) 4
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Duley L, Meher S, Hunter KE, Seidler AL, Askie LM. Antiplatelet agents for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 2019 (10) CD004659
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar