Prenatal supplements: ‘We should be skeptical of what we’re being sold’

CHICAGO --- The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Thursday released a report that found 11 of 12 prenatal supplements had at least one nutrient above or below the levels noted on labels.

“This report is concerning and speaks to the unregulated nature of the supplement industry, even for prenatal vitamins,” said Dr. Jeffrey Linder, chief of general internal medicine in the department of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, who has  studied and written about supplement use.

Dr. Linder is available for interviews with the media about the report. Contact Kristin Samuelson at to schedule an interview.

“It’s generally recommended that women who are or are considering becoming pregnant should be taking a prenatal vitamin, and this is mainly for the iron and folic acid,” Linder said. “Four of 12 tested prenatal vitamins had folic acid levels below the acceptable range. One of the tested prenatal vitamins had a folic acid amount 50% of the amount stated on its label.

“The report states, ‘Taking a supplement that has a folic acid … value lower than the amount on the label could result in an individual not receiving the full benefit of these nutrients in preventing birth defects.’

“It’s concerning that patients are taking what they believe is the recommended amount when that might not actually be the case. This speaks to the lack of and the need for regulation of the supplement industry.

“Despite many people thinking vitamins and supplements are necessary or healthy, most adults do not need to take a vitamin or supplement. People are being distracted from things that will keep them healthy, like diet and exercise. Even when a supplement is recommended — like folic acid for pregnant women — this report reminds us, given the unregulated nature of supplements, we should be skeptical of what we’re being sold.”