Journal List > Korean J Community Nutr > v.23(4) > 1100826

Han, Seo, Shin, Shin, Jo, and Hyun: Nutrient Composition and Content of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements and Their Appropriateness for Pregnant and Lactating Women in Korea

Abstract

Objectives

Use of dietary supplements containing vitamins and minerals is growing in Korean adults, especially in pregnant and lactating women. Vitamin and mineral supplements are available in different composition and in a wide range of contents. The purposes of the study were to examine nutrient composition and content of vitamin and mineral supplements for pregnant and lactating women and assess their appropriateness as dietary supplements.

Methods

Information on the name, manufacturer, nutrient composition, and usage of vitamin and mineral supplements for pregnant and lactating women were obtained from the homepage of the Food Safety Information Portal managed by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Korean Index of Medical Specialties. A total of 264 products were identified.

Results

Among 264 products, 26.1% were single nutrient products, and 73.9% were multinutrient products. The most commonly included nutrient was iron (70.1%), folic acid (66.3%), vitamin B12 (45.8%), vitamin C (38.6%), and vitamin B6 (38.6%). Although more than 50% of products contained nutrients less than 150% of Recommended Nutrient Intakes or Adequate Intakes for daily use, some products contained inappropriately high amounts of nutrients. When a maximum daily dose of supplements was taken as described on the label, iron in 73 products (39.5%), folic acid in 14 products (8.0%) were likely to be consumed in amounts greater than Tolerable Upper Intake Levels. Most products were assessed as inappropriate for pregnant women due to the possibility of excessive intake of vitamins or minerals when compared with Dietary Reference Intakes.

Conclusions

Pregnant and lactating women need to carefully select dietary supplements containing adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. Nutritionists should provide guidelines regarding selection of appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements for pregnant and lactating women.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

Evaluation of the appropriateness of multivitamin and mineral products for pregnant women. HFF: Health functional food, OTC: Over-the-counter drug

kjcn-23-341-g001
Table 1

Manufacturing standards of vitamin and mineral supplements and Dietary Reference Intakes for pregnant women

kjcn-23-341-i001

DRI: Dietary Reference Intake, RNI: Recommended Nutrient Intake, AI: Adequate Intake, UL: Tolerable Upper Intake Level

1) Reference [13], 2) Reference [14], 3) 19 – 49 years, 4) Not established, 5) 1 μg supplemental β-Carotene = 0.5 μgRAE, 6) Applied to the amounts consumed from supplements, not from foods

Table 2

Type of vitamin and mineral supplements for pregnant and lactating women

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1) N (%)

Table 3

Nutrient contained in supplements for pregnant and lactating women

kjcn-23-341-i003

1) N (%)

Table 4

Nutrient contents in one tablet compared with Dietary Reference Intakes for pregnant women1)

kjcn-23-341-i004

RNI: Recommended Nutrient Intake, AI: Adequate Intake, UL: Tolerable Upper Intake Level, NA: Not applicable

1) 19 – 49 years, 2) N (%)

Table 5

Nutrient contents in a daily dose of supplement compared with Dietary Reference Intakes for pregnant women1)

kjcn-23-341-i005

RNI: Recommended Nutrient Intake, AI: Adequate Intake, UL: Tolerable Upper Intake Level, NA: Not applicable

1) 19 – 49 years, 2) N (%)

Table 6

Number of the products likely to be consumed more than Tolerable Upper Intake Level

kjcn-23-341-i006

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Taisun Hyun
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6888-1612

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