SHOULD VITAMIN-MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS BE RECOMMENDED FOR ALL WOMEN WITH CHILDBEARING POTENTIAL

Interest in maternal nutritional status as a critical factor for prena tal development has increased. When supplemented before conception, io dine prevents cretinism and folic acid reduces neural tube defect risk s. Other nutrient supplements may also reduce pregnancy complications. Thus, should supplements be advocated for all women with childbearing potential? Potential supplementation benefits include 1) improved nut ritional status, 2) reduced risk of some developmental defects, 3) imp roved antioxidant and immune defense systems, 4)lower incidence and/or slower progression of some diseases, and 5) harmonization of governme nt and health care professionals' dietary recommendations for optimal health. Potential questions are, will the supplement reduce a woman's motivation to maintain and/or improve dietary quality? Will the supple ment result in excessive nutrient intakes and/or adverse nutrient-nutr ient interactions? Will supplement use encourage the perception that a ll women are, by definition, well nourished? These issues should be cl arified before widespread supplementation programs are implemented.