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Ultra Strength Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA

OLLY
4.6
(175 ratings)
Iodine 150 mcg
Ginger
Iron 7.6 mg
Omega-3 260 mg
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Score 55.0

OLLY Ultra Strength Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA is designed to provide essential nutrients for pregnant women and fetal development, combining a prenatal multi-vitamin with Omega-3 DHA. While it offers a convenient all-in-one softgel format, some key nutrient dosages, such as iron and iodine, are below recommended daily allowances for pregnancy. The inclusion of ginger is a nice touch, though the amount is quite small for significant nausea relief.

Quantity: 60 Softgel(s)Servings size: 2 Softgel(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
General Health
Brain Health
Productivity Boost
Metabolism Boost
Digestive Health

Score 55.0

OLLY Ultra Strength Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA is designed to provide essential nutrients for pregnant women and fetal development, combining a prenatal multi-vitamin with Omega-3 DHA. While it offers a convenient all-in-one softgel format, some key nutrient dosages, such as iron and iodine, are below recommended daily allowances for pregnancy. The inclusion of ginger is a nice touch, though the amount is quite small for significant nausea relief.

Analysis

The OLLY Ultra Strength Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA aims to deliver comprehensive nutritional support for expectant mothers and fetal development by combining a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals with Omega-3 DHA. It provides an adequate amount of folate (667mcg DFE), crucial for neural tube development, and a decent 260mg of DHA, which is essential for fetal brain and eye health, aligning with nutritionist recommendations for baseline intake. Despite the 'Ultra Strength' designation, a significant drawback is the underdosing of several vital nutrients, including iron (15.2mg versus 27mg RDA), iodine (150mcg versus 220mcg RDA), zinc (3mg versus 11mg RDA), and magnesium (50mg versus 350-360mg RDA). The forms of some ingredients, such as iron oxide for iron and cyanocobalamin for Vitamin B12, are not always the most bioavailable or preferred by nutritionists. While the inclusion of 25mg of ginger is a thoughtful addition for common pregnancy nausea, it's generally considered too low a dose for effective symptomatic relief based on common medical literature and online reviews. The product's softgel form is generally well-received for ease of swallowing, which is a common positive in online reviews for prenatal vitamins, but the overall nutrient profile could be more robust to truly support the 'ultra strength' claim for comprehensive prenatal needs.

Pros
  • Convenient all-in-one softgel formula containing both prenatal vitamins/minerals and DHA.
  • Contains an adequate amount of Folate for neural tube development.
  • Includes DHA essential for fetal brain and eye development.
  • Softgel form may be easier to swallow for some users compared to large tablets.
Cons
  • Several key minerals like iron, iodine, zinc, and magnesium are significantly underdosed compared to recommended daily allowances for pregnancy.
  • The 'Ultra Strength' claim is not fully supported by the nutrient dosages provided.
  • The inclusion of ginger at 25mg is likely too low to provide significant relief for pregnancy-related nausea.
  • Uses less bioavailable forms of some nutrients, such as iron oxide and cyanocobalamin for Vitamin B12.
  • Does not contain a significant amount of calcium, which is vital during pregnancy and often requires a separate supplement.
Warnings
  • Individuals with iron deficiency anemia may require an additional iron supplement, as this product's iron content is insufficient for their needs.
  • Those with known MTHFR gene variations might benefit from a prenatal with methylated folate (L-methylfolate) instead of or in addition to standard folic acid.
  • Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, to ensure it meets individual nutritional needs and to address specific deficiencies.
$18.87($0.62 per serving)
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Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Calories 10 Calorie(s)
Total Fat 0.5 Gram(s)
Cholesterol 5 mg
Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) 650 mcg
Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate) 60 mg
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) 20 mcg
Vitamin E (D-Alpha-Tocopherol) 19 mg
Thiamine (Vitamin B1, Thiamine Hydrochloride) 1.4 mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 1.6 mg
Niacin (Niacinamide) 18 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 2 mg
Folate 667 mcg DFE
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) 6 mcg
Biotin (D-Biotin) 35 mcg
Pantothenic Acid (Calcium D-Pantothenate) 7 mg
Iron (Iron Oxide, Ferrous Fumarate) 7.6 mg
Iodine (Potassium Iodide) 150 mcg
Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide) 50 mg
Zinc (Zinc Citrate) 3 mg
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) 260 mg
Ginger root extract 25 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Categories
Omega-3 70.0
The product delivers 260mg of Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, which is a good baseline amount. This level aligns with common recommendations for supporting fetal brain and eye development during pregnancy.
Iodine 50.0
It provides 150mcg of iodine, which falls short of the 220mcg recommended daily intake during pregnancy. Adequate iodine is crucial for fetal brain development and maternal thyroid health, suggesting a potential gap.
Iron 40.0
The product contains 15.2mg of iron, a blend of iron oxide (less bioavailable) and ferrous fumarate. This amount is significantly below the 27mg recommended daily allowance for pregnant women, indicating potential inadequacy for iron needs.
Goals
Brain Health 70.0
The formula contains a good amount of folate, crucial for neural tube development, and a decent 260mg of DHA, which is essential for the healthy development of the fetal brain and eyes.
Heart Health 65.0
The presence of Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA, contributes positively to general cardiovascular health for both the mother and the developing fetus during pregnancy.
Mood Support 65.0
The inclusion of B vitamins and Omega-3 DHA can contribute to mood stability. These nutrients are known to support neurotransmitter function and reduce the risk of mood imbalances often experienced during pregnancy.
90 Value

Albion Chelated Ferrochel Iron 18 mg

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Ginger Root 550 mg

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Offering 550mg of Ginger root for only $0.06 per serving, this provides a vastly more effective and better-value dose of ginger for nausea relief compared to the minimal 25mg found in the OLLY product.
85 Value

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This alternative provides 150mcg of organic Kelp (Iodine) for just $0.03 per serving. It offers the same crucial iodine dosage as the OLLY product but at a dramatically lower price point, representing superior value for iodine intake.
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Triple Strength Omega-3

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4.8
(2598 ratings)
While not a full prenatal, this product provides a significantly higher dose of Omega-3 (900mg) compared to OLLY's 260mg. For individuals prioritizing optimal DHA intake for fetal brain development, this is a much more potent and effective source.
85 Performance

Iron 50 mg

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(10017 ratings)
This alternative offers 50mg of Iron in an Amino Acid Chelate form, which is a much higher and generally better-absorbed dose than OLLY's 7mg of Ferrous Fumarate, effectively addressing the primary nutritional shortfall of the original product.
85 Budget

Prenatal Multi + DHA

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This prenatal provides 27mg of Iron (Ferrous Fumarate), 150mcg of Iodine, and 260mg of Omega-3, directly matching or exceeding the OLLY product's key ingredients at a significantly lower price per serving ($0.18 vs $0.62).
70 Budget

Multi with Iron Century Formula

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(284 ratings)
At a very low price per serving ($0.04), this multi provides 27mg of Iron (Ferrous Fumarate) and 150mcg of Iodine, addressing two critical prenatal nutrients at much better dosages than OLLY, though it doesn't include DHA.
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Iron 27 mg

21st Century
4.7
(7717 ratings)
This stand-alone iron supplement provides the full 27mg daily recommended dosage of iron for pregnant women (Ferrous Gluconate) at an extremely low price per serving ($0.03), making it a highly cost-effective way to address the OLLY product's main deficiency.
90 Value

Albion Chelated Ferrochel Iron 18 mg

Swanson Ultra
4.8
(997 ratings)
This product delivers 18mg of TRAACS Ferrochel Iron, a highly bioavailable and gentle form, for an exceptionally low price per serving ($0.02). It provides significantly better iron support than OLLY at a fraction of the cost.
80 Value

Ginger Root 550 mg

NOW
4.7
(5995 ratings)
Offering 550mg of Ginger root for only $0.06 per serving, this provides a vastly more effective and better-value dose of ginger for nausea relief compared to the minimal 25mg found in the OLLY product.
85 Value

Kelp

NOW
4.8
(23712 ratings)
This alternative provides 150mcg of organic Kelp (Iodine) for just $0.03 per serving. It offers the same crucial iodine dosage as the OLLY product but at a dramatically lower price point, representing superior value for iodine intake.
95 Performance

Basic Prenatal

Thorne
4.6
(15951 ratings)
Thorne is a highly reputable brand known for quality. This prenatal offers a superior iron dosage (45mg) in a well-tolerated Ferrochel form and includes 150mcg of Iodine, providing a more comprehensive and bioavailable foundation for prenatal nutrition.
90 Performance

Triple Strength Omega-3

InnovixLabs
4.8
(2598 ratings)
While not a full prenatal, this product provides a significantly higher dose of Omega-3 (900mg) compared to OLLY's 260mg. For individuals prioritizing optimal DHA intake for fetal brain development, this is a much more potent and effective source.
85 Performance

Iron 50 mg

Solaray
4.8
(10017 ratings)
This alternative offers 50mg of Iron in an Amino Acid Chelate form, which is a much higher and generally better-absorbed dose than OLLY's 7mg of Ferrous Fumarate, effectively addressing the primary nutritional shortfall of the original product.