Use of natural health products among pregnant women in Alberta

Abstract

The use of Natural Health Products (NHPs) has been recommended during pregnancy. Six hundred women were followed throughout each trimester of pregnancy. A supplement intake questionnaire was administered at each visit to identify all NHPs that women were consuming. Reported daily intake of folic acid, vitamin D, calcium and iron from supplemental sources was analyzed. More than 90% of the participants reported using NHPs in each trimester. Median daily reported intakes were 1000 mcg of folic acid, 400 IU of vitamin D, 250 mg of calcium and 27 mg of iron in each trimester. Approximately 20% of the study participants had reported intakes above the upper limit for folic acid and iron at some point of their gestation. The use of NHPs is a major contributor to micronutrient intake during each trimester of pregnancy in Canadian women. Funding for this research was generously provided by Alberta Innovates Health Solutions.