Nine out of 10 expecting mothers are deficient in vital nutrients necessary for the health of their unborn babies, researchers suggest.
Researchers discovered that most of these women lacked essential elements typically found in meat and dairy products, such as vitamins B12, B6, D, folic acid and riboflavin.
These are crucial for foetal development in the womb.
Prof Keith Godfrey, the lead author and an expert in epidemiology at the University of Southampton, told The National: "It is well-known those following vegan diets do not obtain sufficient quantities of several vitamins – for example, they are recommended by the NHS to have fortified foods or supplements containing vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
"Previous reports have summarised the world literature, showing that veganism is associated with low intake of vitamins B2, niacin [B3], B12, D, iodine, zinc, calcium, potassium and selenium, and likewise for vegetarians."
The study, conducted by a team of international scientists led by the University of Southampton and published in PLOS Medicine, has brought to light the trend affecting pregnant women in high-income countries, including the UK, New Zealand and Singapore.
It challenges the common perception that nutrient deficiencies are primarily a concern in lower-income nations.
The study highlights that even in wealthier countries, expectant mothers are not immune to such deficiencies, which can have profound implications on the health and development of their infants.
The research involved a survey of more than 1,700 women, with a focus on those trying to conceive and those already pregnant.
"Our findings cover both omnivorous and vegetarian/vegan women, indicating that more than nine in 10 of whom have low or marginal status for key vitamins," Prof Godfrey said.
Prof Godfrey expressed serious concern about the prevalence of vitamin deficiencies among women in wealthy countries.
He highlighted the potential exacerbation of this issue as diets shift towards plant-based alternatives to meet net-zero carbon emission goals.
"The push to reduce our dependence on meat and dairy is likely to further deplete expecting mothers of vital nutrients," he said.
"Fully meeting the nutritional needs of pregnant women from plant-based diets alone is a real challenge without much more extensive food fortification at higher levels.
"With the need for sustainable, plant-based diets, it is likely that higher levels of supplement use will be required. Longer-term plans require agricultural production of plant crops with higher vitamin content," Prof Godfrey told The National.
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Prof Wayne Cutfield from the University of Auckland in New Zealand also emphasised the importance of maternal well-being before and during pregnancy.
He suggested over-the-counter multivitamins could be a viable solution to reduce deficiencies.
"The well-being of a mother ahead of conceiving and during a pregnancy has a direct influence on the health of the infant," he said.
Associate Prof Shiao-Yng Chan from the National University of Singapore warned of the increasing vitamin deficiencies if the trend towards less meat and dairy consumption continues.
She advocated women taking more supplements or receiving specific dietary advice to ensure sufficient intake of essential micronutrients.
This study is the first to demonstrate over-the-counter supplements can effectively reduce vitamin insufficiencies during preconception, pregnancy and lactation.
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
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Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
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About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
The specs: 2019 Audi A8
Price From Dh390,000
Engine 3.0L V6 turbo
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Power 345hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
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Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
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- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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