BrainStrong Prenatal Review – Is it Effective?

BrainStrong Prenatal is especially formulated to support pregnant women and their babies, by featuring two essential nutrients for the mother’s health and the baby’s normal development: the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA and Folic acid.

The manufacturer of the formula is a company called i-Health, a division of the global science-based company DSM. i-Health is headquartered in Connecticut and specializes in developing, marketing and distributing branded products which support a healthy lifestyle. BrainStrong Prenatal belongs to the BrainStrong line which comprises essential daily supplement with optimized brain nourishment for pregnant women, toddlers, kids and adults over 55.

DSM is also the same company behind Brain Armor and BrainStrong Adult.

According to the manufacturer, the formula contains 350 mg of the essential Omega-3 fatty acid DHA, the highest available level available for purchase without a prescription. BrainStrong Prenatal can be used by women prior to becoming pregnant, during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.

1) BrainStrong Prenatal Quick Facts

BrainStrong Prenatal is a blend of essential vitamins, minerals and DHA, an essential Omega-3 fatty acid. The dietary supplement package contains 2 types of soft-gels: a multivitamin soft gel and a DHA soft gel. The main ingredients are a premium form of DHA called life’s DHA and Folic Acid. Other Vitamins included are Vitamin A, D, E and the majority of B Vitamins.

The manufacturer claims life’s DHA is a fish-free source of DHA from algae. Apparently several research studies have concluded that DHA extracted from vegetable sources is more efficient than the one extracted from fish oil. Even more so, many doctors recommend pregnant women to take their DHA from algae-derived supplements, rather than fish, where concerns about toxicity and contamination exist.

DHA is found in large quantities in the brain and the retina, and, although its role is not fully understood, it is clear that normal functioning of the brain highly depends on the levels of DHA. DHA intakes are essential to pregnant mothers since during the last trimester of pregnancy and postpartum, babies accumulate DHA in the brain and eyes.After birth, children receive their DHA through breastmilk, which is essential as the brain triples in size in the baby’s first year of life. Many milk formulas today are enriched with DHA.

Folic acid is essential during pregnancy to avoid a number of health problems for the baby (Neural tube defects, anemia or heart defects). Folic acid helps proper brain development of the baby, especially in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are when the baby’s brain and nerve system are forming and growing fast

2) BrainStrong Prenatal Ingredients

BrainStrong Prenatal contains the following ingredients: Vitamin A (60% as betacarotene), Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol), Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl), Folate, Folic Acid, Folacin (as Folic Acid), Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic acid (as d-calcium pantothenate), Calcium (as calcium carbonate and di calcium phosphate), Iron (as carbonyl iron), Phosphorus (as dicalcium phosphate), Iodine (as potassium iodide), Magnesium (as magnesium oxide), Zinc (as zinc oxide), Copper (as copper sulfate), Manganese (as chromium dinicotinate glycinate), DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), Beet Powder, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Crosprovidone, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellose, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Inulin, Gelatin, Glycerin, purified water, carmin, caramel, and Titanium Dioxide.

3) Is BrainStrong Prenatal Right for You?

A safe and nutritious environment has to exist in order for the unborn child to develop and maintain a general sense of well-being, the multivitamins and multimineral found in this formula, as well as the DHA, offer a much needed help in creating this environment, and aim to prevent memory disorders in children, attention disorders in children as well as learning disorders, thus helping the child reach a healthy mature state.

The multivitamin and multimineral aspects of this formula offer a basis so that the child can develop a strong and healthy body, with all the essential nutrients at their place. Vitamin A taken during pregnancy is critical for the baby’s embryonic growth, helping to develop the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and bones, as well as the circulatory, respiratory and central nervous system. DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is an essential nutrient both for the mother’s health and the baby’s. Unfortunately, the human body cannot synthesize this acid. The consumption of DHA during pregnancy impacts the development of the child’s nervous system and has a positive effect on visual and cognitive development as well, DHA also aims to prevent cardiovascular disease, including cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.

The recommended dosage is one tablet and one soft gel per day, not necessary with a meal. The manufacturer presents no side effect or adverse reactions, but cautions are advised when taking other medicine or suffering from a medical condition if any problems occur consult a physician immediately.

Customer testimonials for this product include the following:

• It was easy to take

• I feel confident that it will help my child

4) BrainStrong Prenatal Health Benefits

• Clinically researched ingredients;
• Vegetable source for the extract of DHA eliminates risc of toxic elements or contaminants;
• Contains 100% of the recommended daily dosage of folic acid

5) BrainStrong Prenatal Product Warnings

• Contains colorants and glycerin
• No side effects mentioned although sometimes there may be some associated to the ingredients

6) BrainStrong Prenatal Price

This formula presents itself to be a relatively cheap product and can be purchased in physical stores, as well as from some online retailers, indicated by the producer’s website at standard shipping rates all across the world. One box of BrainStrong Prenatal consists of 30 DHA soft gels and 30 multi-mineral and multivitamin tablets, respecting the recommended dosage of one of each per day, a box will make a month’s supply. Although no free trials or money-back guarantees were found at this time, some online retailers could present with different offers depending on the quantity ordered.

7) BrainStrong Prenatal Directions

BrainStrong Prenatal recommended use is 2 soft-gels daily, one multivitamin and one DHA soft gel. No side effects are mentioned. Consumer reviews are positive.

8) Final Thoughts on BrainStrong Prenatal

BrainStrong Prenatal is a formula especially designed for pregnant mothers and aims to help with normal brain development and general development of the baby. The formula features two essential nutrients for pregnant mothers: DHA and folic acid, both scientifically proven to have crucial importance for how the baby develops before and after birth.

Consumer reviews are generally positive. However, given that a daily dosage of DHA is not generally accepted and that the formula contains many other vitamins and minerals which may cause certain imbalances that may endanger them and their babies, we recommend extreme caution and advise pregnant women use any supplementation only after talking to a healthcare provider.