Choline: important nutrient for a healthy pregnancy

Vanessa and Paul  look at the box of prenatal vitamins they have bought. Vanessa tries to decipher the small print and mumbles: “Folic acid, vitamin D, iodine… And what’s choline?” Paul, her partner and the father-to-be, frowns: “I’ve never heard of it. Is it really important for pregnancy?”

Healthcare right from the start

Since deciding to become parents, Vanessa and Paul have focussed intensively on the health of their unborn child. In addition to a healthy lifestyle and diet, they supplement all the important micronutrients. Now they have come across choline and want to find out what role this nutrient plays.

Choline

Choline may be less well known than other vitamins, but it is an important component of many foods, including pulses, broccoli, nuts, meat and eggs. Although the body can produce some choline itself, this is often not enough, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The many functions of choline in the body are impressive: it is an important component of cell membranes, supports the function of the brain and nerves, emulsifies dietary fats and contributes to detoxification processes in the liver.

Choline during pregnancy

Especially during pregnancy, choline plays a key role in the development of the unborn child’s brain and cognitive abilities.

Studies show that an adequate supply of choline during pregnancy not only promotes the child’s cognitive development, but can also reduce the risk of mental health problems later in life. In addition, choline may even protect against harmful effects of certain environmental factors, such as marijuana use or infections.

Also important for maternal health

Not getting enough choline during pregnancy can also have negative consequences for the expectant mother. Choline deficiency can for example lead to increased homocysteine levels, which are associated with pregnancy complications.

Recommendation

In view of the importance of choline for the health of mother and child, nutrition experts are calling for this nutrient to be a part of supplements for pregnant and breastfeeding women. In the USA, official recommendations for prenatal supplements already include choline, while Europe is still lagging behind.

Vanessa and Paul recognise the importance of choline for the health of their child. They want to make sure Vanessa and the unborn child are adequately supplied with this important nutrient during pregnancy and breastfeeding (e.g. with the prenatal vitamins Fertilovit® For 2 with choline).