Q&A - Professor Mark Johnson: The Need-to-Know on Prenatal Supplements

Welcome back to the second instalment of our exclusive Q&A series with Professor Mark Johnson, consultant obstetrician at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, professor of obstetrics at Imperial College London and Nurture Founder. In our previous chat, Professor Johnson shared insights on obstetrics, preterm birth and maternal health - you can check it out here. This time, we’re diving deeper into the world of prenatal supplements.

With decades of experience caring for mums-to-be, Professor Johnson has seen firsthand how the right supplementation can help support healthy pregnancies. Nurture was born from his mission to provide high-quality, scientifically-backed supplements designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of both mums and babies.

In this interview, Professor Johnson covers everything you need to know about Nurture - from the ingredients we use to why tailored nutrition is so crucial throughout pregnancy. So if you’re curious about prenatal supplements or are looking for trusted recommendations, then you’re in the right place.

Hi again, Mark. So let’s start with when women should start taking prenatal supplements, specifically Nurture… 

You should begin taking Nurture when you're thinking about getting pregnant, once you know you're pregnant, or at least at the halfway point of your pregnancy. This is important because having the right fatty acid balance at conception can reduce your risk of preterm birth. By the 28th week of pregnancy, your baby's demand for fatty acids is at its peak, continuing through to the end of the pregnancy.

Can a healthy diet alone provide all the necessary nutrients women need during pregnancy?

That’s a great question. In theory, yes, a healthy diet could replace supplements like Nurture. However, the average Western diet doesn't provide adequate levels of DHA, a crucial fatty acid. For example, in the West, DHA levels tend to fall below 4%, whereas we believe they should be above 4.3%. In countries like Japan, where people often have DHA levels around 8% due to their fish-rich diet, you see better health outcomes. So, while a healthy diet could provide sufficient nutrients, in practice, it's difficult to achieve, which is why Nurture is essential to ensure you maintain the right fatty acid levels during pregnancy.

Are there any supplements women should avoid during pregnancy?

Yes, there are some supplements to avoid. Vitamin A, for example, has been linked to foetal malformations and should not be taken in high doses. There was a theory that high doses of vitamin C and E could reduce the risk of preeclampsia, but research showed that these actually increased the risk of having a small baby and placental dysfunction. The takeaway here is to take what you need based on your blood measurements, rather than following generic formulations.

Can taking too many vitamins or supplements be harmful to unborn babies?

The short answer is no, taking supplements in general isn’t likely to harm your baby. However, not all supplements are necessary. The more important question is what evidence supports the benefits of certain vitamins. For instance, folic acid is essential in reducing the risk of birth defects and is critical for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

How can people know if they’re taking the correct dosage of each supplement?

You can't truly know if you're taking the right dosage without checking your blood levels. Take vitamin D, for example. Many people are deficient, but unless you measure it, you wouldn’t know. I’ve seen patients with vitamin D levels as low as 30 when the normal range is between 70 and 150. I, myself, take high doses of vitamin D because I know I need it, despite spending a lot of time outdoors. The key is measuring what's in your blood to determine what you actually need.

And is that measurement-based approach central to the Nurture program?

Absolutely. The core principle of Nurture is that we assess your diet, measure your blood levels, and then recommend supplements based on what you actually need. It's a tailored approach that ensures you get the correct nutrients for your specific situation.

How does the bespoke nature of Nurture’s supplements work?

When you sign up for Nurture, we first assess your diet by questionnaire then offer a blood test to measure your nutrient levels. Based on this, we create a tailored supplement plan. You have the option to purchase additional blood tests each month to check in on your levels, and allowing us to tailor your subscription plan as soon as we receive the results. Or if you’d prefer, at the start of your third trimester, within your subscription, we’ll send you a second FREE blood test to do another check in and ensure your subscription is still perfectly suitable for you and your baby.  

Why is the Nurture supplement unique?

Nurture offers a high strength DHA supplement designed to support both the baby’s and the mother’s brain health. This helps maintain maternal wellbeing and supports the baby’s neurodevelopment. Additionally, Nurture’s bespoke approach is unique, meaning we assess a mother’s diet and blood levels to provide a tailored supplementation plan tailored to her specific needs.

How does the Nurture process work for prospective mothers?

Women considering pregnancy can benefit from starting Nurture early. By ensuring a proper balance of fatty acids at conception, we can reduce the risk of preterm birth. We measure blood levels at 12 weeks to predict this risk. Having the right levels of DHA at the time of conception and throughout pregnancy helps optimise development, particularly in the baby’s brain.

Can Nurture supplements be taken at any time of day, or is there a best time?

You can take your supplements at any time of day that suits you. There’s no specific time that’s better for absorption or effectiveness, but we do recommend that you don’t take all your supplements at the same time. Splitting them across multiple meals is the best way to make sure you don’t get any stomach problems. 

Is there a minimum period for taking Nurture supplements?

Even starting as late as 20 weeks into pregnancy can be beneficial. In studies, DHA supplementation has been shown to improve brain growth in baby boys, with brain sizes larger in supplemented groups compared to non-supplemented ones. We believe DHA enhances neurodevelopment and reduces the risk of neurodevelopmental delays.

Can Nurture supplements impact long-term health?

Absolutely. As the NHS says “start well, live well, age well”. Early brain development may even reduce the risk of dementia later in life. For example, DHA supplementation has been shown to delay the onset of dementia by five years. This is significant as we face a growing elderly population and rising dementia rates. Nurture is designed to support your baby not just during pregnancy, but across their whole life.

How can mums-to-be make sure they’re getting the most from Nurture?

The key to maximising the benefit from Nurture is regularly monitoring your blood levels. We recommend checking your levels every eight weeks at a minimum, but I personally prefer every four weeks because your baby’s needs change rapidly. By consistently measuring your blood levels, we can ensure your body has the right balance of nutrients throughout pregnancy, giving your baby everything they need for optimal development.

For a little more information about our supplements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our expert team is here to help you make decisions about your pregnancy journey with confidence. Or if you’re ready to start your Nurture journey today, take our quick and easy food & lifestyle questionnaire. Because for the next 9 months, you’re sharing.