Women’s Health: dsm-firmenich formulates high doses of DHA/EPA for pregnancy
28 May 2024 | dsm-firmenich
With a global prevalence of two cases per 1,000 in neural tube defects and one in ten preterm births, dsm-firmenich is powering innovation for its algal-based life’s portfolio and an “all-form” formulation with up to 455 mg per g. We catch up with Despina Ioannides Black, global marketing manager Early Life Nutrition at dsm-firmenich ahead of the International Day of Action for Women’s Health to learn more about the best dosages for planning pregnancies and optimal fetal development during pregnancy.
Hi, this is Ingrio for Nutrition Insight.
Today, I'm speaking to Despina Ianideas Black, Global Marketing Manager, Early Life Nutrition at DSM Firm, to find out more about the DHA supplements and its role during pregnancy.
Hi, Despina.
Hi Inga, nice to be with you.
Nice to be with you too.
What would you say are the recommended daily amounts for DHA supplementation during pregnancy?
Actually, earlier this year, we had the first clinical practice guideline, in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology that have been published, with the support of several medical and scientific organizations really highlighting the importance of omega-3 fatty acids and primarily DHA for pregnant women.
They have been based on strong evidence that shows, the importance of DHA supplementation in reducing the risk of preterm birth and early preterm birth.
So, if we look at the guidelines for all women of childbearing age, basically, we are looking at the daily intake of at least 250 mg, DHA and EPA or DHA alone.
And supplementation should start ideally before the 20 week, before 20 weeks before the planning of a pregnancy.
When we look now into pregnant women, this would need to consume additional 100 to 200 mg of DHA.
That sums to a total amount of at least 350 to 450 mg per day, DHA and EPA or DHA alone.
And we do have the cases where women enter a pregnancy either without inadequate consumption before the pregnancy, during the planning phase, or with low DHA levels, and this pregnant woman would benefit actually from even higher dosages that range from 600 mg to 1000 mg of DHA and EPA or DHA alone.
Interesting.
So how do these differ from today's practices?
If we look at the, the maternal supplements today that contain DHA, basically, the claims we see there are the, the regulated claims that promote, that, that linking DHA consumption and supplementation to promoting fetal neural and cognitive development at the levels of around 200 mg per day.
And we see them, included in some of what we call stage 2 or stage 3, prenatal supplements.
So much later, along the pregnancy journey of, than, than the beginning.
So, we, we do see a, a gap, not only in terms of supplementation levels.
If we compare to 100 mg to what we just mentioned before, basically, 350 to 450 mg, but also, there is, I would say, a significant gap in terms of lack of awareness of the importance of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
Before and during pregnancy, both among healthcare professionals and consumers.
Just for a comparison, we all know the importance of folic acid supplementation both before, and, and during pregnancy.
And, and if we see the global prevalence of neural tube defects, we are looking at 2 cases per 1000, births.
In contrast, preterm birth affects 1 out of 10 infants.
Besides the lack of awareness, are there additional challenges?
Yes, for most, if not all, consumers who have tried omega 3 fatty acid supplements, they often struggle with swallowing these large, fizzy smelling capsules, and in some cases, some of them have these so-called fizzy burps.
Now, let's picture a pregnant woman in her first trimester needing to consume at least 2, if not 3 of these capsules on a daily basis, and that, for her, for the rest of her pregnancy.
This can make adherence difficult.
Low adherence leads to low supplementation, inadequate supplementation that leads further to low DH DHA levels, that's an increased risk of preterm birth.
So how does DSM Firmic contribute to address these challenges?
First and most importantly, by, by raising awareness of this issue.
And as Kristen mentioned in her interview last March, there is much work to be done in this area.
DSM Firmanic launched the Everyday Counts advocacy campaign, at the maternal health event in Washington DC last year.
Where we had leading scientists and advocates, basically sharing the latest scientific findings with members of the US Congress.
This was followed by a symposium at the American Society for Nutrition, where the need for an updated prenatal nutrition recommendations among nutrition specialists but also policymakers was again highlighted.
We've had the FIGO, which is the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics World Congress.
We hosted again another symposium where we presented the global expert, guidelines, and last week also, we had a session during the annual ACCOG meeting in San Francisco emphasizing the published, clinical guidelines.
So, a lot about awareness, but, beyond raising awareness, As innovators in nutrition and health, we offer a broad range of solutions to improve this consumer experience, making DHA supplementation easier for pregnant women to adhere, and ensuring that every infant gets the best start, in life.
We have our DSM Firmanic algal-based lives portfolio.
We are developing a new oil form with DHA concentrations up to 455 mg per gram.
As natural triglycerides.
This will allow brand owners to deliver, this high dosage, daily recommended dosages in the smallest serving size and that with superior sensory performance compared to other highly processed alternatives.
Then we have our partnerships, like Vitux Contri Smart Shoes.
There, we can offer innovative formats delivering 200 mg DHA per Smart shoe and providing consumers with the desirable alternatives to soft gel capsules.
And not to forget all our product and application development experts located, located around the world.
That can support our customers solving any technological challenges, linked, to the incorporation of DHA in their product matrixes.
I think, we are uniquely positioned, to, to, to the essence of our company, to combine the, the essential, the desirable, and the sustainable, really assisting moms to be in fostering a healthy future for themselves, the babies, and the planet.
Beautiful.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you so much, Inga.
