APOKRA Pregnancy Supplement: A Nutritionist's Guide to Essential Prenatal Nutrients

In this blog post, I elaborate on the components of the APOKRA Pregnancy supplement and their importance in pregnancy. Furthermore, I want to explore the benefits that I found when taking the supplement as a nutritionist.

Components of APOKRA Pregnancy and Their Importance in Pregnancy

First of all, being sufficient in all essential vitamins and minerals is crucial to maintain the mother's body functions and ensure the baby's healthy development during pregnancy. Since mothers have an increased requirement of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, supplementation is very important.

APOKRA Pregnancy includes many essential vitamins and minerals combined in one supplement, which is very convenient and beneficial.

Omega-3

One of the key ingredients in APOKRA Pregnancy is omega-3 DHA and EPA, derived from algae. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for the fetal brain and retina development and can also prevent perinatal depression in mothers (1). APOKRA uses a powder form of omega-3 fatty acids combined with the amino acid L-Lysine called AvailOm®. Studies have shown that AvailOm® is absorbed 5 times better in the human body than traditional omega-3 soft gel supplements (2).

N-Acetyl L-cysteine

N-Acetyl L-cysteine has an antioxidant effect, which is beneficial as pregnancy can come with a state of oxidative stress (3).

Inositol

Supplementation with inositol during pregnancy has been shown to reduce several complications in pregnancy like the incidence of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and preterm birth (4).

L-arginine

L-arginine supports the secretion of growth hormones, which play an essential role in the baby’s weight gain (5). Also, L-arginine can be useful to prevent pre-eclampsia (6).

Vitamin D

The mother’s vitamin D stores slowly decline during pregnancy because of the fetus’s demand for it. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy is essential. It is important for fetal skeletal development and tooth formation. Moreover, studies found that when women have low vitamin D status, supplementation improves fetal growth and reduces risk for small-for gestational-age and preterm birth (7), (8).

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is present in APOKRA Pregnancy in the form of beta carotene, since vitamin A in the form of retinol may result in toxicity in pregnant women and fetus (9). Beta carotene gets transformed into vitamin A by the body. Vitamin A is mainly used in the body to maintain healthy visual function (10). Additionally, vitamin A helps maintain cell functions for growth and normal immune function. Vitamin A deficiency in pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and can affect embryonic development (11).

Vitamin E

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and eliminates free radicals. Also, it is needed to maintain the metabolic functions of the body, especially during pregnancy. Insufficient vitamin E in pregnancy can lead to placental aging, hypertensive disorders, or even abortion. Therefore, adequate vitamin E supplementation is very crucial (11).

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential for the process of blood clotting in a fetus and also for fetal bone development (12).

Vitamin C

Vitamin C supports the mother’s and the baby's immune system in pregnancy. Additionally, it helps with iron absorption and thus decreases the risk of iron deficiency in pregnancy. Furthermore, Vitamin C aids the production of collagen which is essential for normal growth, wound healing, and healthy tissue (13), (14). Even though you can get plenty of vitamin C from fruits like kiwis and oranges etc., supplementation is recommended. It may not be as easy to eat the increased required amount of vitamin C through fruits when battling morning sickness or food aversions during pregnancy.

B Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B7)

B vitamins are important in the baby’s brain development (B1), eye and skin health (B2), digestion and nutrient metabolism (B3), brain and nervous system development (B6), and the growth of healthy hair, nails, and skin (B7) (15), (16). Vitamin B6 may even relieve some nausea during pregnancy in some women (17).

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is crucial for the development of the central nervous system and is essential for healthy brain function (18). It is very important to supplement vitamin B12 because deficiencies are quite common and can lead to pregnancy complications and extreme fatigue. Furthermore, during pregnancy women are more vulnerable to a deficiency of vitamin B12 due to increased metabolic demands (19). Moreover, vitamin B12 may help combat tiredness during pregnancy (20).

Folic Acid

Folic acid is needed for healthy fetal and placental development (21). Folic acid deficiency in very early pregnancy increases the risk for neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Due to very high demands for folic acid in pregnancy, adequate supply is not possible without dietary supplements and therefore supplementation is of utmost importance (22).

Iron

Pregnant women and rapidly growing infants are very vulnerable to developing iron deficiency (23). The baby needs iron for the synthesis of hemoglobin and for brain development. The mother uses iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to the baby. As the blood volume in the mother’s body increases in pregnancy, the amount of iron needed is also bigger (24). Furthermore, sufficient iron levels are crucial to avoid fatigue and tiredness.

Calcium

Calcium helps strengthen the baby's rapidly developing bones and teeth, and boosts muscle, heart, and nerve development. Additionally, it's needed to maintain the mother’s teeth and bones strong during pregnancy (25). Studies have shown that omega-3 may improve calcium absorption (26). APOKRA pregnancy includes both.

Zinc

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Zinc is essential for normal immune function and growth (27). Zinc is involved in the formation and development of the embryo by helping create the baby’s cells and DNA during pregnancy (28).

Iodine

Iodine is needed for the production of maternal and fetal thyroid hormones, which regulate the development of the fetal brain and nervous system (29). During pregnancy, a higher iodine intake is required to make thyroid hormones in both the mother and the baby.

Benefits of APOKRA Pregnancy and My Experience Taking Them

Complete Package

APOKRA Pregnancy is the complete package. You only take two of the tablets a day and are covered for all the essential vitamins and minerals that are needed for a healthy pregnancy. Everything I need in one supplement. No need to take two or more different supplements every day.

100% Vegan

The APOKRA Pregnancy formulation is completely vegan. The omega-3 is sourced from algae instead of fish oil, which reduces the risk of contamination with heavy metals. Fish oil can provoke unpleasant fish burps after taking them, therefore vegan omega-3 was a savior for me during my first trimester, where I felt sick all the time. APOKRA Pregnancy also uses vegan vitamin D3, which is not necessarily the case in other supplements.

High Bioavailability

As a nutritionist, bioavailability is very important to me, as it decides how well the body actually absorbs the vitamins/minerals that are intaken. The absorption has a crucial impact on the desired effect of the supplements. APOKRA lays big focus on optimal bioavailability. Therefore, they use folic acid in the form of Quatrefolic, which ensures higher absorption, and an omega-3 complex that is 5 times as absorbable as conventional omega-3 supplements.

Convenience

APOKRA designed the supplement to be taken from conception until the end of pregnancy. So you can stick with the same supplement through your whole pregnancy journey. This and the fact that you only have to take APOKRA Pregnancy and no other supplements to cover your additional needs during pregnancy is extremely practical to me.

Free from Heavy Metals and Pollutants

APOKRA Pregnancy claims to be free of heavy metals and pollutants, which is crucial for pregnancy supplements. Heavy metals like lead and cadmium are toxic and can accumulate in fetal tissues after crossing the placenta.

Good Smell

The tablets of APOKRA Pregnancy smell very appealing and are therefore easy to swallow. As many women are struggling with morning sickness during at least the first trimester, an easy-to-swallow supplement like this can be extremely helpful. In my case, it was.

Overall, it is extremely important to supplement adequately during pregnancy and even conception. Therefore, it is crucial that your supplements are science-backed and include everything you need like APOKRA Pregnancy. You can always check with your gynecologist. Nevertheless, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is just as important during that beautiful time.

References

• Reference 1: Coletta, J. M., Bell, S. J., & Roman, A. S. (2010). Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy. REVIEWS IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY, 163(4).
• Reference 2: Manusama, K., Balvers, M., Diepeveen-de Bruin, M., Headley, L., Bosi, R., Schwarm, M., & Witkamp, R. (2021). In vitro dissolution behaviour and absorption in humans of a novel mixed L-lysine salt formulation of EPA and DHA. Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 164.
• Reference 3: Aldini, G., Altomare, A., Baron, G., Vistoli, G., Carini, M., Borsani, L., & Sergio, F. (2018). N-Acetylcysteine as an antioxidant and disulphide breaking agent: the reasons why. Free Radical Research, 52(7), 751–762.
• Reference 4: Motuhifonua, S. K., Lin, L., Alsweiler, J., Crawford, T. J., & Crowther, C. A. (2023). Antenatal dietary supplementation with myo‐inositol for preventing gestational diabetes. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023(2).
• Reference 5: Soni, A., Garg, S., Patel, K., & Patel, Z. (2016). Role of l-Arginine in Oligohydramnios. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India, 66(Suppl 1), 279.
• Reference 6: Vadillo-Ortega, F., Perichart-Perera, O., Espino, S., Avila-Vergara, M. A., Ibarra, I., Ahued, R., Godines, M., Parry, S., Macones, G., Yanow, M., Yanow, E., & Strauss, J. F. (2011). Effect of supplementation during pregnancy with L-arginine and antioxidant vitamins in medical food on pre-eclampsia in high risk population: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 342(7808).
• Reference 7: Wagner, C. L., Taylor, S. N., Dawodu, A., Johnson, D. D., & Hollis, B. W. (2012). Vitamin D and Its Role During Pregnancy in Attaining Optimal Health of Mother and Fetus. Nutrients, 4(3), 208.
• Reference 8: Pérez-López, F. R., Pilz, S., & Chedraui, P. (2020). Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: an overview. Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 32(5), 316–321.
• Reference 9: Safety and toxicity of vitamin A supplements in pregnancy. (2001).
• Reference 10: Vitamin A and Carotenoids - Health Professional Fact Sheet.
• Reference 11: Chen, H. A. N., Qian, N., Yan, L., & Jiang, H. (2018). Role of serum vitamin A and E in pregnancy. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 16(6), 5185.
• Reference 12: Lactation, I. of M. (US) C. on N. S. D. P. and. (1990). Vitamins A, E, and K.
• Reference 13: Vitamin C during pregnancy | BabyCenter.
• Reference 14: Vitamin C - Health Professional Fact Sheet.
• Reference 15: Pregnancy B Vitamins: How Important Are They?
• Reference 16: Biotin - Health Professional Fact Sheet.
• Reference 17: Jayawardena, R., Majeed, S., Sooriyaarachchi, P., Abeywarne, U., & Ranaweera, P. (2023). The effects of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 308(4), 1075–1084.
• Reference 18: Vitamin B12 - Health Professional Fact Sheet.
• Reference 19: Khan, M. I., Roy, A. K., Raqib, R., Ahmed, F., Hannibal, L., Sobowale, O. I., Rahman Khan, M., Roy, A. K., Raqib, R., & Ahmed, F. (2022). Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin B12 Deficiency among Pregnant Women in Rural Bangladesh. Nutrients 2022, Vol. 14, Page 1993, 14(10), 1993.
• Reference 20: How to Increase Energy While Pregnant | AZ IV Medics.
• Reference 21: Castaño, E., Piñuñuri, R., Hirsch, S., & Ronco, A. M. (2017). [Folate and Pregnancy, current concepts: It is required folic acid supplementation?]. Revista Chilena de Pediatria, 88(2), 199–206.
• Reference 22: Wierzejska, R., & Wojda, B. (2020). Folic acid supplementation in pregnancy and prevention of fetal neural tube defects. Przeglad Epidemiologiczny, 74(2), 362–369.
• Reference 23: Lactation, I. of M. (US) C. on N. S. D. P. and. (1990). Iron Nutrition During Pregnancy.
• Reference 24: Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: Prevention tips - Mayo Clinic.
• Reference 25: Heringhausen, J., & Montgomery, K. S. (2005). Continuing Education Module—Maternal Calcium Intake and Metabolism During Pregnancy and Lactation. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 14(1), 52.
• Reference 26: Bonnet, N., & Ferrari, S. L. (2011). Effects of long-term supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on longitudinal changes in bone mass and microstructure in mice. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 22(7), 665–672.
• Reference 27: Zinc | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
• Reference 28: Zinc in Pregnancy for a Developing Body & DNA | Aptaclub IE.
• Reference 29: Iodine in pregnancy and lactation.