Choline is generally beneficial in all pregnancies. We have emphasized the role of choline in pregnancies with known risk factors for the baby’s development. In addition to supporting normal brain development, it can help prevent pre-eclampsia.
Furthermore, many risks in pregnancy are unpredictableand unavoidable, particularly infections, which can occur even with flu shots and other precautions, and gestational depression, which can occur in women with no previous history of mental illness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently has no recommendations for or against choline supplements during pregnancy, but the FDA recommends 550mg per day from diet (recently increased from 450 mg), equivalent to 5-6 large eggs per day, which few women actually obtain. The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (ACOG) follows the FDA guidance.
The American Medical Association (AMA) and National Medical Association (NMA) go further and recommend evidence-based choline supplements, along with prenatal vitamins and folic acid for all women. Choline supplements do not require prescription and we have given you some recommendations, as well as dietary amounts for you to compare.
Like prenatal vitamins and folic acid, choline works best when it is given pre-conception, but it can be started anytime in pregnancy. The sooner the better; by later in pregnancy many steps in brain development have already been completed. You will not need extra choline after birth even if you breast feed, if you eat a normal diet. However, many women elect to continue their supplements during breast feeding. We recommend breast feeding, because human milk is very rich in choline. If you use formula, 25 ounces per day (5 bottles) will contain the recommended amount of choline and other nutrients.
If you start before conception, please remember that one of three fetuses are miscarried in the first 3 months. These fetuses are generally mis-formed and are aborted naturally. Vitamins and choline do not affect this natural process.
The suggestions in the Table above are for your guidance. We do not endorse any product or receive money from any manufacturer or distributor of choline supplements.
Read more: USDA Database for the Choline Content of Common Foods, Release 2 (2008) text
Furthermore, many risks in pregnancy are unpredictableand unavoidable, particularly infections, which can occur even with flu shots and other precautions, and gestational depression, which can occur in women with no previous history of mental illness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently has no recommendations for or against choline supplements during pregnancy, but the FDA recommends 550mg per day from diet (recently increased from 450 mg), equivalent to 5-6 large eggs per day, which few women actually obtain. The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (ACOG) follows the FDA guidance.
The American Medical Association (AMA) and National Medical Association (NMA) go further and recommend evidence-based choline supplements, along with prenatal vitamins and folic acid for all women. Choline supplements do not require prescription and we have given you some recommendations, as well as dietary amounts for you to compare.
Like prenatal vitamins and folic acid, choline works best when it is given pre-conception, but it can be started anytime in pregnancy. The sooner the better; by later in pregnancy many steps in brain development have already been completed. You will not need extra choline after birth even if you breast feed, if you eat a normal diet. However, many women elect to continue their supplements during breast feeding. We recommend breast feeding, because human milk is very rich in choline. If you use formula, 25 ounces per day (5 bottles) will contain the recommended amount of choline and other nutrients.
If you start before conception, please remember that one of three fetuses are miscarried in the first 3 months. These fetuses are generally mis-formed and are aborted naturally. Vitamins and choline do not affect this natural process.
The suggestions in the Table above are for your guidance. We do not endorse any product or receive money from any manufacturer or distributor of choline supplements.
Read more: USDA Database for the Choline Content of Common Foods, Release 2 (2008) text