Optimal Prenatal Dr. Lynch Q&AUpdated 6 days ago
| Question | Answer |
| Is it fine and as effective to take all 8 capsules at the same time? I'm assuming this will be the same answer for the methyl-free version which I take interchangeably with this one depending on how I feel. | Hi Erika - I love that you're aware of needing to support yourself with either the regular or MF version. That's some high level awareness. Impressive :) Is it fine to take all 8 at the same time? Yes it is especially if you feel good when doing so. Is it as effective as taking 4 capsules after breakfast and 4 after lunch? It is yes because you'll absorb what you need and pee out what you don't. I'd experiment just as you're doing with the MF and regular. Try some days when you feel you need all 8 and take the 8. On days you feel you're doing pretty well, then consider just 4 capsules or even 3. People do feel 'guilty' if they don't take the full suggested serving. It's ok - it's just a suggested serving. Some days you eat really well, sleep amazing, go on vacation, are in a great mood and don't need much supplementation at all. Those days just take 1-2 or none. On other days you're traveling, stressed out, under the weather, eat like crap and really need support. On those days you really want the full support of 8 capsules. Have a great pregnancy and if already done and breastfeeding - congratulations! In health, |
| Hello, My husband and I are wanting to start trying for kids in the next couple months. I eat a mostly whole food diet with grassfed meat included in most meals. My husband, however, eats more processed foods. We both live active lifestyles with movement daily. What supplement/lifestyle adjustments would you suggest for both me and my husband? I am wavering between the optimal prenatal vs the prenatal essentials and unsure what dosage to take considering my diet. Thanks! | Hi Abby - I'm happy you reached out. Congratulations on this awesome decision :) I've a few thoughts for you to consider:
I suggest the Prenatal Essentials as you're getting sufficient choline and eating well so you don't need as much support there. It's very important that your husband supports with the suggestions above. Sperm health is extremely important not just for fertility but for the pregnancy and also of course the baby's entire life. This topic needs to be discussed way more. Keep me posted how things are going! Wishing you both well and a successful healthy pregnancy. In health, |
| Does this contain dha (omega 3)? I talked to my nurse and she said that's essential for healthy brain development. | Hi Katie - DHA is essential for healthy fetal development. The dosage needed for DHA and EPA are both quite high. Also, it's important to protect the DHA and EPA from oxygen so putting them into a softgel is important. For these two reasons, we offer third party tested purity EPA and DHA in our Fish Oil capsules. Consider:
Be careful with prenatals that include DHA in them as they may be:
In health, |
| Can I store the Optimal Prenatal in the refrigerator at 38 degrees fahrenheit? My house is often at 85-95 degrees 4-5 months out of the year. | Hi Nicole - That's smart. Yes you may. Keep the lid tightly closed for the Optimal Prenatal. In health, |
| I have started taking the Optimal Prenatal in preparation for an IVF transfer. I recently read that supplements with a high amount of Biotin can cause inaccuracies with pregnancy tests (both at home tests and blood tests for Hcg from a lab) I see the Biotin amount is 500mcg per day. Are you aware of this or know of any research that supports this? If so, is it recommended to lower the dose of this prenatal a couple of days before testing for pregnancy? | Hi Caroline - According to one source, you are good with 500 mcg of biotin. It is when one takes more than 1 mg of biotin that lab results may be an issue. Here's some detail: Another source says the FDA is unsure what dosage triggers. While the FDA hasn't specified a particular threshold, they have indicated that biotin supplements, even at commonly recommended doses, can interfere with lab tests. Some sources suggest that biotin supplementation at doses greater than 1 mg per day can cause issues, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Recommendations: You may want to simply pause the prenatal vitamin for 2 days prior to testing. You should not need longer than this due to the biotin being under 1 mg by 50%. I'd say you're more than likely fine with continuing to take it as we have not heard any issues in over 10 years of women using this prenatal. In health, |
| Thank you for what you are doing to help optimize health and for taking time to answer specific questions! I have been on an IVF journey the last year and preparing for my second embryo transfer. (My first transfer was not successful.) Prior to finding your prenatal, I had been taking 18 different supplements and I was so grateful to find your amazingly curated formulation, which allowed me to cut out some of what I was taking separately. I have Hashimotos and I've been reading mixed theories on supplemental iodine for Hashimotos patients. I'm working with a naturopath who is concerned about supplemental iodine and suggested a multi that does not contain iodine. I know how crucial iodine is for a developing fetus and that iodine need increases with pregnancy. Also of note, I do not eat many high iodine containing foods (i.e. shellfish, eggs, dairy) due to food allergies. I wanted to get Dr. Lynch's opinion on supplementing with a prenatal with or without iodine for Hashimotos? | Hi TM - Happy to help ;) Great to hear that Optimal Prenatal is supporting you. It is definitely the most thought out prenatal available. If you're supporting your thyroid with nutrients and medications needed, then the iodine that you're getting in Optimal Prenatal, I believe, is fine. As you said, iodine is extremely important for baby and your developing placenta. We cannot think so linearly. It's often forgotten to truly support the men's sperm with nutrients. I highly recommend he use Optimal Man for 90 days before fertilization. Sperm is new every 90 days. Unhealthy sperm is associated with chromosomal damage is a big issue for miscarriages and infertility. Wish you a successful pregnancy! In health, |
| Hi Dr! My Wife (22) and I (23) are trying to decide which of your supplements to start taking. We are not actively trying to conceive but are not using conception so open to whatever happens. As such, we want to be prepared and ready to have a healthy baby and smooth pregnancy. We are both overall quite healthy. Our diet consists of high quality red meat + eggs, some whole grains and beans, lots of fruit and leafy greens, sweet potato, avocados, some nuts and dates etc. very minimal processed food and sugar but it does creep in once a week or so. We do all the water filtration, glass containers, no plastic, non-toxic personal care products etc. No caffeine, drugs, medications or alcohol at all for either of us. We are overall active and have active jobs and live in a sunny warm area so get plenty of Vit D. I am 190lbs and 6ft 3" with decent muscle mass I would guess 15% BF. Overall I feel great but I think my libido + testosterone are lower than they should be for my age and physical state. I feel like at my age with a gorgeous wife I should be "ready to go" at all times but often I just don't have the libido for it. I got tested at around a 400 level for test - not sue if that is related. I also sometimes get a mid afternoon crash and feel quite lethargic/unmotivated/irritable. I fall asleep straight away in bed and usually wake up feeling great after 10-15 mins. I generally have morning erections. Also, if I try sit down to do some work on the computer I get easily distracted and find it hard to get into flow. My wife is 136lbs and 5ft 5". She also overall feels healthy, has a regular period that isn't too painful except on day 1. We are pretty sure she has endometriosis and has had a history of cysts on ovaries which both used to be incredibly painful for her. However, through lifestyle and diet changes we have essentially made her symptoms nil. Sex used to be painful and she used to have heat packs and heavy pain everyday. Sex is no longer painful and she just needs a heat pack on 1 or 2 days of her period but she is not incapacitated like she used to be. She feels like she is holding onto a bit of weight around her mid section and arms (maybe 8lbs) and has an overall bloated or puffy feeling some days. She doesn't think she should feel this way given our healthy lifestyle. A couple days a week she will wake up tired despite sleeping from 9pm - sunrise (6/6:30am). It can take her a few hours to get going in the day and then she is sleepy again not long after that. I don't think it is this dramatic but she says she feels tired all the time. She has been experiencing an increase in hair loss. Not bald patches or anything just a lot of hair seems to fall out each day. She sometimes struggles to fall asleep and will lay awake for 30mins - 1hr. I think her symptoms sound a lot like high estrogen but her libido is very high (which makes it very frustrating that mine is low). She has her ferritin tested at around 27-29. She also gets a headache/migraine every 1-2 months. She used to get them weekly but have improved significantly with lifestyle change. We are hoping we can knock out these annoying symptoms with some supplementation. We love your content but the choices of supplements are overwhelming! In particular, whether my wife should be taking 'Optimal Prenatal' or 'Optimal Prenatal MF'. One of the things I am confused about is I see you talk about the importance of choline in a Prenatal on your instagram but notice MF does not have choline. Neither of us have done any genetic tests but we are open to it if need be. We are unsure how we cope with methylated as neither of us have really ever taken any supplements. I would love some guidance on what you think both of us should take! | Hi Skagen - That's awesome. Congratulations to you both. Becoming a father was the most powerful transition for me ever. I hear you. The education is still not enough to help guide which supplement you need and why - and we cannot straightforward say words that we want to due to federal regulations. There's a lot that's going super for you both and definitely some tweaks needed so I'm glad you reached out. I'd like to see you both work on some of these things you're both dealing with for 1-3 months before fully trying. This way you'll have a even better and healthier baby. Sperm is completely rebuilt/new every 90 days. The egg takes a similar duration. We need to prepare healthy sperm, healthy egg and a healthy uterus. A few things to consider:
If needing to consult with someone, I highly recommend ElizmaLambert.com - she does online consults. Keep me posted how you're doing. In health, |
| Hi, I was just wondering if the 1500mcg of Vitamin A is too high? I know too much Vitamin A can cause birth defects. Thanks! | Hi Merry - The 1500 mcg includes 750 mcg of beta carotene and 750 mcg of vitamin A. You're well below the upper limit for preformed vitamin A. Here's some information for you: Vitamin A is essential for pregnancy. Lily Nichols is a great resource for pregnancy related nutrition: In health, |
| Hello! I am struggling to find the “right” prenatal - hoping to do our first IUI in July, and want to make sure I’m preparing my body as best as possible for a healthy pregnancy. I have a pretty significant fear of vomiting (which I know is ironic, considering I am hoping to carry a baby and be a mom)… I’m wondering if the prenatal essentials vs optimal prenatal might be a better fit if I’m worried about digestive concerns/ nausea? I tried another brand with higher doses of B vitamins and felt pretty nauseous for the next ~12 hours (which then causes anxiety, which makes me avoid the prenatal all together)… I apologize as I know this is long winded. Any thoughts are so helpful and appreciated! | Hi Anna - I hear you - and very valid concerns and valid points. Here are some things to consider:
I send you all the best! :) You're in the right place! In health, |
| Hi, I love your products and your advise, I’ve read dirty genes and follow along on Instagram. I was so thrilled to use these prenatals, I did not know about them for my first two pregnancies. However, they are causing EXTREME drowsiness. I stopped taking for a few days, and the drowsiness went away but started again when I reintroduced them. Please advise | Hi Radford - Thank you for reaching out. A few things to consider:
Another thing to consider:
These changes should help a lot! If you're not yet pregnant, consider adding Optimal Man for your partner. This is key for healthy sperm which is a must for a healthy baby due to sperm carrying chromosomes. He would take 2 capsules after a protein based breakfast and 2 after lunch - and he could skip the 2 at lunch if he feels good in the afternoon. Have a great pregnancy! In health, |
| Hi! History of low-ish T3, low cortisol, low progesterone, high prolactin. 30 year old wanting to conceive in next 3-6 months for the 1st time. Currently eating high protein diet with meat, eggs, dairy, fruits, vegetables. along with taking topical bio-identical progesterone, taurine, thiamine, food source vitamin C, K2, magnesium, vitamin E, and sometimes a B complex. Do you think I could get away with taking the more basic prenatal or do you recommend this one? What other additions do you recommend I add to my prenatal protocol? Thanks so much! | Hi Sam - Good detail. Thank you for sharing. Based on your diet and other nutrients, consider:
Have a great pregnancy! In health, |
| I have one 4 YO daughter but have had 3 miscarriages since trying for #2. I have Factor v Leiden and residual cmv igm after an infection 18 months ago. I have homozygous SHMT and CYP1B1 mutation. Would adding NAC be a good idea? | Hi Margaret - Sorry to hear this. I'd rest and reset a bit more to allow your body to regain strength and health. Infections are very demanding on the body - especially these days - and they are frustratingly persistent. Consider:
SHMT is supported by Prenatal Essentials MF. Please read this guide on Miscarriage that my team and I wrote: In health, |
| What is the dosage of supplement Optimal Prenatal for twin pregnancy? Which supplements do you recommend for twin pregancy? I am 7 weeks pregnant. Thank you! | Hi Mariana - Great question. A colleague of mine, Lily Nichols, is well versed in this area. She wrote a great guide: What I can say is:
Have a great pregnancy! In health, |
| Hi Dr Lynch, My wife is just over 6 months postpartum and we are going to be looking to conceive again soon (her cycle has not returned yet). She also tested very low for TSH and high FT4. She is going to see an endocrinologist but not sure the cause or how this will affect fertility. I am considering ordering her Optimal Prenatal or Prenatal Essentials - can you recommend which may be more beneficial for these thyroid issues and which is more likely to help her cycle return? Thank you, Jordan | Hi Jordan, There could be more going on here. Based on the information provided here, I would definitely test your wife's estrogen and prolactin levels. It sounds like she could have higher prolactin which could be reducing her estrogen via acetylcholine and dopamine imbalances. If she's breastfeeding then this would explain the lower prolactin levels. This may lower her chances of getting pregnant. Breastfeeding is important, so don't compromise on your baby's health just to have another baby. Just my input. When it comes to choosing between prenatal vitamins, I don't think it matters either way. But if you need a suggestion I would recommend Optimal Prenatal and take less than the 8 capsules recommended. Hope this helps :) High thyroxine = high ACh = high prolactin = reduced estrogen |
| Hello, Looking for help . My husband and I have 3 miscarriages and 1 ectopic pregnancy (I lost my right fallopian tube). After all that, found out I have 2 copies of C677T MTHFR. We also now struggling with infertility and see a specialist who is now recommending IUI. I purchased the optimal prenatal and need to know if I need to take 8 capsules a day in my situation or if I could take less (would like to spread out the bottle longer if possible due to finances). I only want to take what is necessary and as simple as possible. Thank you for your help! | Hi Jill - I'm happy you're here. You're in the right place. Here's some things to consider:
Please read this: By getting the Fertility Bundle, you save 20% and get a free Dirty Genes book In health, |
| What is the difference between the Optimal Prenatal, Prenatal Essentials and Optimal PreNatal MF? Im 42 years old, have 9 years old child (conceived via IVF) and Hashimoto's. | Hi Priscilla - Here's a good comparison chart: In short:
My thoughts for you to consider:
Reasons:
Consider:
Take the amount you feel you need on a given day - as each day is different. It's totally ok to take less capsules on some days if you're feeling great and the full suggested serving on the days you need extra support. Have a great pregnancy! :) In health, |
| I have hypothyroidism and hashimotos, so I take levothyroxine every morning right when I wake up. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time to take my first dose of the Optimal Prenatal or will it not affect my thyroid medication? | Hi Kristin - Yes you should wait. You should always take a multivitamin after a full meal as well. That said, consider:
Have a great pregnancy! :) In health, |
| How much of each kind of vitamin A? I take freeze dried liver supplements and want to make sure I don’t get too much preformed vitamin A as it can lead to birth defects. | Hi Kris - In 8 capsules, there is:
The RDA of preformed vitamin A during pregnancy - ie. the recommended daily allowance - is:
The upper limit of preformed vitamin A during pregnancy is 3,000 mcg or 10,000 IU per day. More than 3,000 mcg or 10,000 IU of preformed vitamin A is associated with potential for birth defects: Preformed vitamin A is very important for healthy fetal development which is why I added it. Vitamin A during pregnancy supports healthy:*
source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6470929 Most prenatal vitamins only use beta-carotene which is not preformed vitamin A. Many women have genetic variations in the enzyme of BCO1 which reduce the ability to convert beta-carotene into vitamin A. There is a lot of fear around preformed vitamin A during pregnancy - and the conversation of the benefits must happen otherwise healthy fetal development is at risk. Thank you for your question - and awareness of the benefits of getting healthy amounts of preformed vitamin A during pregnancy. In health, |
| Do you plan on updating your b6 in Optimal Prenatal to be 100% P-5-P? It is currently 50% pyridoxine hydrochloride and 50% P-5-P, but your Optimal Man and Optimal Multivitamin are 100% P-5-P. | Hi Angela - Good point. Yes, I will do this. ;) Thank you for pointing this out. In health, |
| Hello!! I am not yet pregnant just working on my fertility. I’d love to take your prenatal, but don’t have the money to buy a new bottle every 30 days. Do you think I’d get good doses from taking half of the recommended amount (4 capsules a day) to help it last longer? | Hi Sydney - Yes I do and that's commonly done. Consider:
Sending great thoughts your way :) In health, |
| Dr Ben, I love your products, the StrateGene report I received, and everything you teach at Seeking Health! I have a question about my daughter (33 y old). She completed her DNA test through SelfDecode, but we’re having trouble downloading the raw data to upload for a StrateGene report. According to SelfDecode, she is heterozygous for C677T (GA), has slow COMT, and has MAOA rs1137070 CC, and rs2323 TT though we’re unsure if this indicates slow or fast MAOA. She recently found out she’s pregnant, and while she’s super happy and excited about her first pregnancy, she’s also a bit concerned due to her SelfDecode results and her doctor mentioning that she has two fibroids. We’re a bit confused about which prenatal supplement would be best, as we noticed the options on your site vary for slow or fast MAOA. We’d greatly appreciate your guidance on which prenatal and additional supplements would best support her pregnancy and ensure the optimal health of her baby. Thank you so much for your help! :) | Hi Viviana - Please reach out to the tech support at SelfDecode so you can get the raw data into StrateGene. I cannot remember those alleles and what they mean. I don't want to be wrong ;) When looking at genetics - you have to understand they simply determine vulnerability not actual symptoms themselves. Congratulations on your daughter's pregnancy! :) If your daughter is calm, in good spirits and doing well generally, then I'd consider Prenatal Essentials MF and take 1 with a protein based breakfast and 1 with a lunch. If your daughter tends towards low mood, low motivation, low energy, then consider Prenatal Essentials and take 1 with a protein based breakfast and 1 with lunch. I'd measure her homocysteine levels, too. If her homocysteine levels are > 8 umol/L, she needs to get them down to 6-7 umol/L The prenatal and supplements below will support her healthy homocysteine.* Since she is 33, in addition to the Prenatal Essentials, we need to do other supportive things for her to support her healthy pregnancy and healthy baby:
In health, |
| I recently received a heavy metals report for your Optimal Prenatal product, and I noticed that the levels of heavy metals appear to be considerably high. While I understand that you claim to use third-party testing, I would like to know which specific regulations or standards you follow for heavy metals testing and safety. The report lists heavy metals in μg/capsule, and based on my calculations, it appears that the lead level in your product may exceed 50 ppb per 8-capsule serving. Could you please confirm whether this is accurate and share your thoughts on the lead levels found in your product? Additionally, I would like to understand what your tolerable threshold is for heavy metals per serving. What levels of heavy metals do you consider acceptable, and how do you ensure the safety of your product for long-term use, especially during pregnancy? Given the increasing concerns around heavy metal contamination in food products, particularly for pregnant women and infants, I’d like to note the Baby Food Safety Act, which was introduced in 2021. This act seeks to limit the presence of heavy metals in baby foods to ensure greater safety for children. Specifically, the proposed limits for heavy metals in baby food products under this act are: Lead: 5 ppb Arsenic: 10 ppb Cadmium: 5 ppb Mercury: 1 ppb With these proposed limits in mind, I am particularly concerned about the potential lead levels in your product, especially since the health risks of lead exposure are well-documented, especially for those who are pregnant. I would appreciate your thoughts on how your product’s lead levels compare to these proposed regulatory limits. I look forward to your response. | Hello Christina, Thank you for reaching out with your concerns about the heavy metals report for Optimal Prenatal. We value transparency and appreciate the opportunity to address your questions. Lead Levels in Optimal Prenatal Comparison to Baby Food Safety Act Limits Industry Standards for Supplements Food vs. Supplements: Differences in Exposure In Health, |
| Good evening, Is there iron in the supplements? | Hi Rita - We don't put iron in our prenatal vitamins as some women need a lot of iron, some a bit and some none. Iron is inflammatory so it's best to take it only when needed and don't take if not needed. We have the Iron Chewable which is a great addition to Optimal Prenatal should you need it. It tastes really good and allows you to adjust how much you need easily. In health, |
| Hi Ben! I watched your most recent seminar about fertility and you mentioned using Myo-Inositol with D-Chrio Inositol and Alpha Lipoic Acid. I was just curious what brand you recommend for those products. When I previously asked a question regarding PCOS you recommended Vital Nutrients Inositol Powder. Is that still true or should I get a different product? Thank you!! | Hi Malorey - I like the brand Life Extension and Vital Nutrients. More so Life Extension. In health, |
| Hi Dr. Ben! Love all of your resources and supplements. We have had three healthy babies and pregnancies since 2018. This year, however I have sadly had two miscarriages. I began looking into things myself as there’s such little concern or help, otherwise. I found I have the homozygous MTHFR c677t mutation. I’m not sure about COMT yet, as I have to teach myself to read those genes first. I take the prenatal, electrolytes, glutathione lozenge and fish oil, but is there anything you think I should be taking in addition to that? There are so many suggestions for supplements, sometimes it can be hard to filter what’s actually necessary. Thank you so much for the work you do! Sydney | Hi Sydney - I'm answering some of the questions we are receiving. Glad to hear that you are finding benefits with the resources and supplements :). However, I'm sorry to hear about your two miscarriages :(. You made good choices in supplements:
I'm wondering if you could have high histamine. Histamine is an important trigger for miscarriage. Do you have gut symptoms? Have had mold exposure? Or other infections? There are many reasons for high histamine. If histamine is your issue then I would suggest:
There are other factors that can also contribute to early miscarriage. Common ones include:
I highly recommend you work with a healthcare practitioner who may help you find the imbalances that are responsible for your miscarriages. At the very least, get your physician to test your thyroid hormones (especially T4) and progesterone once you find out you are pregnant. On a side note, I also like using Optimal PC during pregnancy for baby's healthy development. Demands for phosphatidylcholine increase a lot during pregnancy.* All the best :) |
| I'm not very good with capsules. Would it be okay if I blend the pills into a smoothies? And is it more beneficial to take the recommended amount into two servings and it is okay to take all at the same time? Thank you much! | Hi Lyly - You can open the capsules and mix them into a smoothie. If you're like me you may feel nauseous taking them all at once. Nutrient transporters in the gut also can only transport a limited amount of a nutrient at one time. You'll absorb more if you split the dose. Even if it's 4 capsules twice a day. Hope this helps :) Elizma Lambert (ElizmaLambert.com) |
| Ive started taking your optimal prenatal vitamins to help with fertility and over all health before conception. Is it safe to take with a Chinese herbs with it called dong quai, motherwort and wild yam? | Hi Tara - Yes. Make sure you have third party testing on those herbs as Chinese herbs are notoriously high in heavy metals. Ask for testing. Read the book, "Starts with the Egg" Make sure your partner is also supporting his fertility:
In health, |
| I have been trying for 5 years to get pregnant. I have had two IVF cycles with good quality embryos and also euploids. 6 transfers but no signs of implantation. I have been diagnosed with - MTHFR homozygous C677T mutation. - the 72P variant on the p53 gene (I am heterozygous arginine/proline) - Homozygous (GG) for the 1154 variant in the VEGF gene I did my blood test which came out that I have: - Prolactine and Homocysteine are in the normal range; -TSH, FT4 are normal whereas FT3 is slightly low 2.7 compared to ISWTE that indicates 3.2 - Rbc folate very high (maximin is 1367--> I have 2422). I stopped taking folic acid to start methylfolate but this level keeps rising. Folate is in the normal range; -Dhea- S is 314 ug/dl, whereas according to the value given in the book 'it starts with the egg' it should be a maximum of 180; - Vitamin D3 is sufficient value 36 but should be 40 according to the book ISWTE; - S-protein is very insufficient 13% (range 56-121%); - Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody is in the normal range 16.8 IU/ml (according to the lab cut off <34) but for ISWTE it should be left than 9IU/ml; - Thyroglobulin Antibody is in the normal range 18.7 IU/ml (according to the lab normal healthy people less than 115 IU) but for ISWTE it should be left than 4IU/ml; My husband has low motility, low sperm count, low morphology. What should I take to improve my change of getting pregnant. Thank you so much in advance | Hi Antonietta - Glad you asked. Let's get you some things to consider. There's a lot of focus on the woman and there needs to be more focus on the man as well. Let's start with what you both should consider taking and at the same time of day for similar reasons:
For him:
For you:
Please make sure your husband also gets on board with the above. I believe that's a significant part of what's needed to be focused on. It's no fault of his as the world these days is extremely polluted, stressful and not easy to have healthy sperm. The above will make a massive difference in as little as 1 month but ideally 3 months as entirely new sperm are remade every 90 days. In health, |
| Hi Ben, from someone who is struggling with infertility, what blood testing do you recommend or recommend in general to start with? My OBGYN is clueless. No blocked tubes, his sperm is “excellent” everything seems to be coming back normal. I’m lost and need your help! | Hi Katie - Hmm - I question the 'excellent' sperm but possibly. It's rare these days. There's a great book called, "Starts with the Egg". I recommend reading this. She actually cites my book, Dirty Genes, in her book which is pretty cool. First, are you more prone to feeling sad or anxious/irritable?
There are different types of folate, B12 and choline in them to support one or the other. There's no wrong or right option - it's just more suitable for one or the other. To support healthy fertility, consider:
For your man:
Even if his sperm is 'excellent' - let's make them even better to further enhance fertility - and we can only support a healthier future baby - and grandchildren! - by having a healthy sperm and egg. Keep me posted how you're doing. :) In health, |
| I was curious if I could expect to see an improvement in HG morning sickness by taking optimal prenatal. I’m only 5 weeks pregnant but my first pregnancy I had it the entire way through until I had my little girl.. wondering if this should help or if there is an additional recommendation you have? | Hi Elizabeth - Congratulations on your second pregnancy ;) Yes, Optimal Prenatal does support a healthy response to periodic HG due to the additional ginger and higher B6 levels. Additionally, consider:
In health, |
| Can my daughter take these if not pregnant? She is a recovering drug addict and needs support. She also has the mthfr gene with other gene mutations. She has taken these in the past when she was pregnant. Would this be good or would there be something else that she can absorb better. | Hi Carrie - She can yes. However, taking too many nutrients may cause side effects like irritability, headaches and difficulty sleeping. We don't want that. I'd consider:
This is a comprehensive plan that is more gentle and tailored to her situation. Well done for reaching out and supporting her through these times. And congratulations to her for overcoming addiction. If she tends to a low dopamine mind, consider Dopamine Nutrients. This supports healthy mood for those who seek drugs or addictions. She would take 1 capsule with breakfast if she needs support for healthy motivation, drive and mood and steering her away from drugs. In health, |
| Thank you for all Seeking Health does! I've experienced two losses (one at 11.5 weeks and one at 9 weeks) and I recently went through an RPL panel (that included almost everything on your RPL guide) and everything came back normal / optimal, outside of finding out I have a compound heterozygous MTHFR gene mutation (one copy of C677T and one copy of A1298c). I have started taking the Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal and ProBiota HistaminX (in addition to the fish oil, magnesium, and vitamin D supps I've already been taking). Would you recommend additional folate, choline & B vitamin supplementation in addition to taking the prenatal (thinking specifically your Methyl B12 with L-Methylfolate lozenge) pre or during pregnancy? Or would you recommend testing those levels then supplementing based on current nutrient status? Any resources on optimal folate / choline / b vitamin levels if I do test? Thank you! | Hi Tannyr - You're welcome ;) I'm happy that you reviewed your labs so well and read the RPL Guide. Don't forget that your partner needs to support healthy sperm. It takes two to make a healthy baby with healthy chromosomes. Your chromosomes could be brilliant and his chromosomes could be damaged and that alone would trigger a pregnancy loss. Chromosomal abnormalities are the main reasons why one has RPL - and these can come from men, too. Consider for him:
Consider for both of you:
Consider for you:
Measure your homocysteine level - both of you. You want it around 6-8 umol/L If your blood sugar and fasting glucose is high, consider Myo-Inositol to support healthy ovarian function and healthy glucose levels while pregnant. Keep me posted. This is a solid plan. Your partner MUST support his sperm health as well - it's not only you - he's 50% of this as well. No one talks about it -but they need to. I wish you both the best :) In health, |
| I saw the optimal prenatal with collagen helps if you’ve had gallbladder issues in previous pregnancies, would the regular pill form optimal prenatal help with that as well or is that due to the collagen? | Hi McKenley - Optimal Prenatal does support a healthy gallbladder as well due to the folate, B12 and choline. Additionally, I'd add:
In health, |
| Hello, I am ordering your optimal prenatal and optimal PC to start taking as we plan to try to get pregnant in the next few months. I also want to focus on reducing oxidative stress in my body during my next pregnancy. What is the best supplement for antioxidant support during pregnancy? | Hi Abby - I'm helping to answer some questions we are receiving :). Good on starting Optimal Prenatal and Optimal PC. These are some of my go-to's when it comes to preconception and pregnancy. These are my suggestions for antioxidant support during pregnancy:
All the best :) |
| Hi, I’m wondering if it’s okay to take the NAC along with the prenatal? Thanks | Hi Breea - It is but I'd be more comfortable with you using Glutathione Plus Lozenge over the NAC. The NAC could be too drying to mucous membranes and too much sulfur. The Glutathione Plus Lozenge is perfect. Use about 1/2 a lozenge in the morning upon waking and another 1/2 later in the day as needed. Be sure to use Optimal Electrolyte as well at least once a day while pregnant and breastfeeding. Hydration is super important. Have a great pregnancy! ;) In health, |
| Good morning! I recently ordered the Optimal Prenatal, and have a question regarding the 75mg of milk thistle extract. I've previously read/researched and have been advised in the past to avoid this while pregnant. Are there any concerns or is that information outdated and it is safe to take? Thanks for your help! | Hi Jennifer - I took milk thistle during my pregnancy. Typically we (Naturopaths) do not recommend herbs during pregnancy because there is not a lot of research available on safety as very few studies have been done. In this case, I would say that you have to make your own choice. Regards, |
| Hello, your prenatal looks wonderful. However, I was wondering why the dosage amounts are so high above the recommended daily value percentage? Even if I take 4 pills a day, I'd still be taking well over 100% of the DV need. I want to understand the high amounts to make sure I wont be over doing it. I am currently trying to conceive; I'm not pregnant yet. Thank you | Hi Megan - Optimal Prenatal is designed for women with a history of infertility or pregnancy complications as it supports healthy fertility and pregnancy by utilizing high potency nutrition. Prenatal Essentials ia designed for women without prior pregnancy complications or fertility concerns as it supports healthy fertility and pregnancy by using more typical amounts yet still highly nutrient dense. You are welcome to use as many capsules as you see appropriate for you. The 'suggested use' is identifying how many capsules is needed in order to achieve what is stated on the label in terms of nutrients. Many women take 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 with lunch. Some take all 8. It all depends on how you are feeling and how much support you need. In health, |
| Hello I have been taking your prenatal for about 1.5 months since my naturopath recommended it. I just noticed the vit A contains retinyl palmitate and I thought that was dangerous especially for pregnant women. Potentially even causing birth defects? Do you have any information about this? I am concerned and would love to understand more, especially why you chose to add this to your product. Thank you for your help! | Hi Maja - Vitamin A is incredibly important during pregnancy for not only your health but for healthy fetal development. Vitamin A supports healthy:
The amount of vitamin A you're getting in the prenatal is below the upper limits of pregnancy so it is very safe. There is a lot of fear going on - dangerously - about vitamin A. A prenatal without vitamin A may lead to issues which is why we use it. In health, |
| Hi - We were lucky to conceive easily and have a very uncomplicated pregnancy. I am now 4 months post partum and was introduced to Dr Lynch via a podcast. Are these still ok to take just to support breastfeeding for the next 8 months? as well as maintaining a healthy baseline for future pregnancies? | Hi Courtney - Congratulations! :) Absolutely. Consider:
Do not think you 'have' to take all 8 capsules. Take what you feel you need in order to feel healthy. Taking too much of any nutrient may contribute to excessive side effects - and in this case, the side effects may be headaches, difficulty falling asleep or irritability. I find that many women do well with 2-3 with breakfast and 2-3 with lunch. Some days you'll need more and others less. In health, |
| I’ve had 2 miscarriages and would like to switch to this prenatal. I’m also compound heterozygous for MTHFR. Is this all I need to take or is there anything else you’d recommend in addition to this prenatal? | Hi Chandler - I'm glad you're here. Please read this: Here's some things to consider:
Your partner should take all of these as well - or at least the Optimal Man - but ideally all (except the Optimal Prenatal) Healthy sperm is a must as they provide 50% of the baby's chromosomes. Most miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities. Thus, by supporting healthy chromosomes in the egg and sperm, one is increasing the chance of a healthy full term pregnancy.* There are two great books:
I wish you the best. Keep me updated. ;) In health, |
| Hi, I've observed that the optimal prenatal vitamins do not contain fish oil or iron supplements. Can you clarify if fish oil and iron supplements are essential during pregnancy? If they are needed, how should these supplements be taken—should they be taken at night or in the morning? Or is it sufficient to rely solely on the optimal prenatal vitamins without the need for additional fish oil and iron supplements? Thank you | Hi Stephanie - Fish oil (omega-3) is very important during pregnancy. I suggest 2 capsules per day with or without food. Some people experience reflux with fish oil and taking it with food may help with this. Any time of the day. Iron is also an important nutrient during pregnancy. In a multi the amount will be too low if extra iron is needed, especially in the last trimester. Iron levels should be monitored during pregnancy and if they are low I suggest Optimal Iron. Take 1 capsule in the morning with breakfast. If iron levels remain typical during pregnancy (confirmed with a blood test) then extra iron may not be needed. I also highly recommend Optimal PC at 2 capsules per day during pregnancy. Any time of day, with or without food. Hope this helps :). Regards, |
| Hello! I have impaired MRHFR gene and just watched the video about the importance of Methyl donors in pregnancy- especially choline however I can only see the methyl free version of this product available to purchase in the shop. Can I ask why you removed choline and betaine etc, is it no longer safe to ingest in pregnancy? | Hi Vanessa - Choline and betaine are definitely safe to take during pregnancy. Both Optimal Prenatal and Prenatal Essentials contain methylated folate and vitamin B12, as well as betaine anhydrous (trimethylglycine). Optimal Prenatal also contains choline. Below are the links to purchase: https://www.seekinghealth.com/products/prenatal-essentials https://www.seekinghealth.com/products/optimal-prenatal Hope this helps :). Regards, |
| Hi, Which prenatal vitamins are recommended for severe sickness during pregnancy characterized by constant vomiting three to four times a day, low energy levels, and a lack of appetite? | Hi Stephanie - Congratulations on your pregnancy :), assuming that the request is for you of course ;). Severe morning sickness is typically a high histamine issue. Histamine levels increase dramatically during pregnancy to help with fetal development. If mum doesn't break down this extra histamine effectively it can lead to extreme nausea and other symptoms. I suggest:
Good luck! Regards, |
| I am currently taking a beef organs supplement and a desiccated oyster supplement as I want bioavailable food forms of vitamins. If I start taking this prenatal, will I be getting too many vitamins, particularly vit A? Would you recommend just taking a folate supplement separately instead of this prenatal? For context, I am eating a good diet filled with lots of eggs, nuts/seeds, meat/fish, dairy, fruits and veg everyday. I would like to get as much as my nutrients as possible through food. Thank you! | Hi Kayla - I would consider using the Prenatal Essentials and take 1 capsule a day vs the 2 capsules a day. That way you're supporting your pregnancy with known amounts of nutrients and broadly. It is not known how many nutrients you are getting from the organs or food. I hear you on the food and organs. They seem great and they are - it's just not standardized so you've no idea what deficiencies you're still experiencing. Consider:
In health, |
| I'm 40 and been trying to conceive for 8 months (never had any issues before trying to get pregnant). Is optimal prenatal all I need to take? | Hi Kass - Optimal Prenatal is quite comprehensive - the most comprehensive on the market. That said, it is not all you need to take. Consider:
This should help immensely. Keep me posted ;) Once you do get pregnant, you may continue on as above. No need to change anything. In health, |
| Hi Dr. Lynch, I so badly want to take this prenatal, but I struggle with acne and just know that the biotin + B vitamins will only exacerbate the issue. What would you recommend as an acne-safe pregnancy protocol? Thank you! | Hi Robyn - That's tricky. There is no acne safe prenatal because prenatal vitamins need to contain folate and B12 and B6 and biotin for fetal development. And one cannot mess with hormones during pregnancy either unless closely monitored. In the meantime, use topical treatments and a chlorine shower filter. Congratulations on your pregnancy! In health, |
| Hi there! What would you recommend if I'm super acne prone and this makes it worse (high levels of B12, biotin, iodine...)? I want to have a healthy pregnancy but my skin is so inflamed. Thanks! | Hi Robyn - I recommend focusing on your pregnancy at the moment. Then, once you're done breastfeeding, then you can work on your skin. I wish I had better information. What I can say is buy a chlorine shower filter. That is going to be a big help for your skin. In health, |
| I was taking the Prenatal Essentials with absolutely no issues. We have started trying to conceive again since my endo surgery so I switched to the Optimal Prenatal. However, I noticed I am having night sweats now along with feeling anxious, irritable, and sleepy. Does this mean I should go back to the Essentials? I am taking 4 pills with breakfast at 9am (along with additional Choline & Inositol, Chlorella, Fish Oil, CoQ10, and NAC) and 4 pills in the afternoon at 12pm. I do not have any stomach issues. At night I take Vitamin C and Magnesium. | Hi Nina - Possibly. Before you switch back to the Prenatal Essentials, I'd consider stopping the additional Choline and additional Inositol (unless you have PCOS and you're doctor recommended it). The additional choline and inositol could definitely be contributing to your symptoms. Try this:
Here's another trick:
Additionally:
I wish you both well ;) In health, |
| I am trying to get pregnant again so I purchased this one due to me having recurrent miscarriages and an ectopic. I do not have the MTHFR snp; however, I vomited throughout my entire pregnancies with my two that I gave birth to. I have been cleaning up my environment, eating better, and correcting my slow DAO as well as other things. Since I do not have the MTHFR variant, should I be concerned with overmethylation if taking this while TTC or should this MF formulation sufficient? | Hi TW - I'm impressed with all the effort you're putting in - well done. Cool to see. It's not really about having or not having the MTHFR variant - it's more about how you feel and respond to the different types of folate. If you feel great from taking Optimal Prenatal, awesome. If you feel somewhat agitated, headaches or irritable, then you should switch to Optimal Prenatal MF. Consider:
This should help immensely. I wish you both the best! :) In health, |
| Hello, I recently purchased your Optimal Prental through Fullscript. I have been taking them morning and at lunch, 4 capsules each time. I have been taking them for 5 days. Shortly after I take them, I am experiencing a smell/taste almost like seaweed or metallic vitamin smell, and it’s coming from my breath. The smell/taste lasts all day. I really want these vitamins to work, as they have all the things I am deficient in… can you give any suggestions on why this is happening, or is there something I could take with them to counteract that yucky smell? I see on your website you’ve recently slightly adjusted formulas, and I have the “old” formula… I just received it on July 19th from Fullscript. Thank you for your reply! Rachel | Hi Rachel - I suspect it's the choline and the trace minerals - and I suspect your digestive power is a bit weaker. Consider:
In health, |
| I was taking both optimal prenatal plus optimal iron +cofactors. I recently did a Hair mineral test and my copper is too much. Any idea if this could be a reason for that? I took both for over a year for pregnancy then another year after pregnancy. I am still breastfeeding and my iron was just tested at 19, but I stopped taking iron from about Christmas time. My question is, how can I still take a good multi to support breastfeeding AND get my iron up without too much copper. | Hi Jamie - Yes, this combination long term plus dietary ingestion of copper may increase copper stores. I'd also evaluate your diet and look for sources of food you are eating that are high copper:
You can switch to using Iron Chewable and take 2-3 chewables with lunch: In health, |
| Hi! I am looking for a prenatal that also support my B12. When I don’t have enough B12, my hands fall asleep at night. Could I supplement with the B12 lozenge? Does B12 need to be paired with folate to work? | Hi Kathleen - Congratulations on your pregnancy! :) That's a great find on your part. Well done. Optimal Prenatal has a significant amount of vitamin B12 in quality forms. You may find that it is enough for you. You can try it and see. I recommend you consider:
You are correct that B12 requires folate in order to work best. Optimal Prenatal contains the best forms of B12 and folate.* In health, |
| Hello! I am currently 5 weeks pregnant and taking optimal prenatal, optimal PC, ProBiota HistaminX, glutathione plus lozenges, and optimal electrolyte. I am noticing some anxiety creeping in, and I’m wondering if switching to optimal prenatal MF would help fix that? I take 3 prenatals with breakfast and 3 with lunch. | Hi Mackenzie - Great awareness. Here are some adjustments I recommend:
Meanwhile, with breakfast, take 1-3 capsules depending on the level of support you feel you need. At lunch, consider 1-3 capsules. Some days you will find that you feel pretty good in the morning and take less. Same for lunch time. If you feel quite good, take less. If feeling drained, take more. In health, |
| I’ve been taking this for a couple of weeks and have noticed more frequent and less formed bowel movements. I am wondering if this is potentially due to the magnesium? I’m used to taking magnesium glycinate and tolerate that very well. I’ve never taken magnesium malate before. Is this typically a temporary side effect as people adjust? Or should I try a different product? | Hi Elise - I am glad you asked. I'm not sure how you are taking the Optimal Prenatal but here is what I recommend. Take 2-3 capsules with a protein based breakfast, 2-3 capsules with lunch and IF NEEDED take 1 or 2 with an afternoon snack. This way you are spacing out the nutrients which allows for healthy absorption without overwhelming your digestive enzymes. Some days, you may find you feel great in the morning. On those days, skip the morning dose or just take 1 capsule. Other days, you wake up feeling trashed and you want to take 3-4 capsules with breakfast. Tune in to how you are feeling and base your intake on that. The Suggested Use is just that. If you feel great, you do not need to take all 8 capsules. Some days you will and others you won't. It's totally fine to not take the full suggested serving IF you are feeling great. In health, |
| Hi! I've been taking the Optimal Prenatal for a little over a week now, it is fairly new to my body the dosages, and my urine is yellow, I do drink plenty of water and hydrating foods in my diet, should I decrease the dosage? I've also heard your body will just eliminate what it doesn't need or use. Do you think 4 or 6 pills is sufficient enough for a health pregnancy? | Hi Jessica Congratulations on your pregnancy! The yellow is B vitamins especially riboflavin which we have a lot of. It’s totally ok to have bright yellow pee with Optimal Prenatal. And 4-6 capsules a day is great. I’d add in Optimal Electrolyte and Optimal PC and Probiota Histaminx. Have a great pregnancy 😊 Dr. Lynch |
| I recently learned that the natural form of Vitamin A is retinyl acetate. The prenatals contain retinyl palmitate and beta-carotene, which are synthetic forms. Why is retinyl acetate not used? I received my blood work and my beta-carotene levels are normal and are on the higher end of the normal range, and my vitamin A level is normal, yet in the lower middle range of normal. I've been taking the prenatals for 14 weeks now. | Hi Melissa - I honestly cannot tell you why. I've been using retinyl palmitate, along with countless other premium supplement companies, for decades. I've had nothing but great success with it. With lab testing, while it is useful, it can also be fraught with lab range variations. Labs get their 'normal ranges' from various small populations that may or may not be indicative of gender, ethnicity, age, lifestyle, life stage (pregnancy), etc For example, you can have your doctor call this lab and see where they received their 'normal ranges'. Did they get them from doing blood work on 20 'healthy' college kids? or? That's often the case. In health, |
| This supplement seems like a great option for those who are estrogen dominant due to higher levels of b6, vitamin e, plus inositol etc. What about for someone with low estrogen? Do you think the prenatal essentials is a better alternative? Thanks Dr. Lynch. | Hi Melissa- I have not designed the prenatals for hormone support. I don't want to mess with hormones during pregnancy really. The Inositol is pretty low amount so won't do that much - but as you pointed out - it is supportive. Prenatal Essentials may be a better option for those with low estrogen - I've honestly never thought about that issue. Make sure you're not burning up your cholesterol to stress vs building healthy estrogen levels. Breathe through your nose :) - and at a healthy rate - not fast or shallow. Congratulations on your pregnancy :) In health, |
| I have been taking these for about a month, and I am struggling to take 8 capsules. My bloodwork is good, and I eat really healthy. What is the recommended amount to take to still meet daily value requirements? | Hi Brianna - You use what you feel you need. If you feel great overall, then I'd consider switching to taking 2-3 capsules with breakfast, 2-3 capsules with lunch and then, on days needed, take 2 capsules around 2 - 3 PM with some food. Only take additional capsules if you feel you need them. Some days you are resting more, less stressed and eat really well - so those days you don't need as much support. Other days you are traveling a lot, stressed out and not eating the best. Those days you will need more support. Have a great pregnancy! :) In health, |
| My bloodwork came back with great results only showing that I'm low in Vitamin D, what supplement would you recommend? Also, I know your Optimal Prenatal has Choline included but would adding Optimal PC to my supplements be ok? | Hi Maria - If only needing vitamin D support, I'd use the Prenatal Essentials along with Optimal PC and ProBiota HistaminX. Our prenatal vitamins, all of them, contain 4,000 IU of vitamin D which is quite supportive of healthy vitamin D levels.* Have a great pregnancy! :) In health, |
| DHA supplement suggestion | Hi Taylor - For now, while we are out of Optimal Fish Oil, sadly, I recommend Life Extension or Xymogen's fish oil. In health, |
| Curious about the milk thistle added. I've read some things that say to stay away from it while pregnant. Is this safe to take during the first trimester and the rest of my pregnancy? | Hi Ashley - Milk thistle in this amount is supportive of a healthy pregnancy. I purposely added it to help pregnant mothers support a healthy liver and bile during this demanding time. In health, |
| Do we use the pulse method with prenatals or take them everyday? Thank you | Hi Anne - Take as needed. Women think they have to take the full serving of a prenatal every single day or they are a bad mother. That's not the case. Supplement is defined as 'to add to or enhance' That said, some days you eat very well, have low stressors, perhaps on vacation enjoying the sun and having a very relaxing day. This day you may only need 1 capsule out of the 8. Other days you may be very stressed from getting up early to fly back home from your nice vacation, exposed to lots of sick people on the plane and airport, long layovers, lost bags and crappy airport food. This type of day you likely want 2-4 capsules with breakfast, 2-4 with lunch and possibly the remaining amount early afternoon. In health, |
| I purchased these a few months ago and realized my body doesn't tolerate taking pills well (after 2 days I get what feels like air bubbles in my lower abdomen -went I stop it goes away). Can I open the capsules and mix with a smoothie or drink? | Hi Lauren - This tells me your digestion is weaker than it should be. Consider using Digestive Enzymes with your meals. I'd also split up the dosage of Optimal Prenatal. Consider 2-3 capsules with breakfast, 2-3 with lunch and 2 around 2 PM if needing the additional healthy energy. Do not take within 6 hours of bed time as it may interfere with sleep. You may open the capsules and mix in a bite or two of food or in a smoothie. Absolutely no issue. The taste may be an issue though. Make sure you take it with a meal - not a snack. You may want to use this version of Optimal Prenatal with Collagen. It's designed for a smoothie: Have a great pregnancy ;) In health, |
| Hi! I am taking the Optimal Prenatal, and I also plan to add your Iron Chewable, Optimal Magnesium, and Fish Oil into my daily routine. I am also taking a probiotic. Are there any other supplements that you recommend adding to this routine? Thank you so much! | Hi Caroline - That's quite comprehensive. Few tips on how to take them:
I would add a couple more supplements and here's why: If experiencing periodic morning sickness, use Histamine Digest when this occurs. When waking up in the morning, consider 1/2 lozenge of Glutathione Plus Lozenge. This supports healthy levels of oxidative stress. If trying to conceive, and have a partner, consider having him use Optimal Man to support healthy male fertility. This is often overlooked and a very important part of a healthy baby. If you are happy with your probiotic, awesome. If not, switch to ProBiota HistaminX and take after dinner. This supports healthy histamine levels. High histamine levels during pregnancy are associated with nearly all pregnancy complications. If not eating meat or eggs, consider Optimal PC before bed or after dinner. Definitely use this while breastfeeding if you are doing so. Healthy brain development and breast milk flow are supported by Optimal PC. Have a great pregnancy! :) In health, |
| Hi! I am taking the Optimal Prenatal, and I also plan to add your Iron Chewable, Optimal Magnesium, and Fish Oil into my daily routine. I am also taking a probiotic. Are there any other supplements that you recommend adding to this routine? Thank you so much! | Hi Caroline - That's quite comprehensive. Few tips on how to take them:
I would add a couple more supplements and here's why: If experiencing periodic morning sickness, use Histamine Digest when this occurs. When waking up in the morning, consider 1/2 lozenge of Glutathione Plus Lozenge. This supports healthy levels of oxidative stress. If trying to conceive, and have a partner, consider having him use Optimal Man to support healthy male fertility. This is often overlooked and a very important part of a healthy baby. If you are happy with your probiotic, awesome. If not, switch to ProBiota HistaminX and take after dinner. This supports healthy histamine levels. High histamine levels during pregnancy are associated with nearly all pregnancy complications. If not eating meat or eggs, consider Optimal PC before bed or after dinner. Definitely use this while breastfeeding if you are doing so. Healthy brain development and breast milk flow are supported by Optimal PC. Have a great pregnancy! :) In health, |
| Does this product expire? I took this prenatal with my 1st two years ago and had an extra bottle. Just found out I’m pregnant again and was wondering if I could use the same bottle or if I should buy a brand new bottle. | Hi Caroline - Congratulations! :) Supplements do expire. Typically, our Optimal Prenatal has a shelf life I believe of 2-3 years. Please ask my customer support team as I don't have the stability testing on record in my home office. If the bottle is unopened and completely sealed in normal room temperature, it may be just fine. If the capsules are discolored, then it is not ok. Toss it. I highly recommend using ProBiota HistaminX after dinner. If you experience intermittent nausea and vomiting, this is often related to high histamine. Consider Histamine Digest and use if you need support for this period of time as it supports healthy histamine levels. In health, |
| I forgot to add in my previous question- I’ll be getting the electrolyte powder too & glutathione lozenges like you recommended in someone else’s question here — just wondering why you recommend the unflavored electrolyte to go with the prenatal? I was thinking to get lemon and wondering if unflavored is better option? Thanks!! =) | Hi Kristina - Great question. The current flavored electrolytes are great when mixed with the unflavored in a 50:50 ratio. I'd do the Lemonade mixed with the Unflavored. Otherwise, they are just too sweet. The HydroPrime made the flavored electrolytes too sweet and too 'thick'. The unflavored doesnt have the HydroPrime - which is a fantastic ingredient for hydration - just too sweet so we are pulling it out and replacing it with creatine - like in the Unflavored. All our electrolytes are great for pregnancy and breastfeeding - and highly recommended. In health, |
| My husband and I are getting ready to try for pregnancy and will be placing an order. I’m thinking this is the one for me + optimal man for him? Also, I have trouble staying asleep at night and was looking at the optimal sleep or magnesium. What would you recommend I try? Or see how this supplement feels on its own first? Looking at getting the probiotic too. Thanks! | Hi Kristina - Awesome :) Yes. This is a great combination but I would tweak it based on what you shared. I would use the Optimal Prenatal MF for you and the Optimal Man for him. The MF version is 'less stimulating' than the original Optimal Prenatal as it uses 100% folinic acid and no methylfolate. I would use Serotonin Nutrients to help support healthy sleep duration. Do stop it once you become pregnant. It's not harmful to the baby if you are unknowingly pregnant for a bit. It's not good to stay on Serotonin Nutrients during your entire pregnancy. Some doctors may be ok with it but I am not. People do enjoy the Optimal Magnesium for supporting healthy sleep and that would be a great one to use during pregnancy or even now. I'd also recommend highly for both of you the ProBiota HistaminX. Take 1 capsule after dinner. In the morning, both of you should start your day with 1/2 lozenge of Glutathione Plus Lozenge and a serving of Optimal Electrolyte. I like, and so does my wife, mixing 1/2 scoop of Unflavored with 1/2 scoop of any flavor. I really like the Lemonade this way. Our next batch of electrolyte flavors won't be as sweet so you won't have to dilute them. :) Wish you both a great future pregnancy! In health, PS - Add in Optimal PC for you - take 1 capsule with breakfast or lunch. This is such an important ingredient for baby. Take all during breastfeeding as well for multiple benefits for you and baby. |
| The bottle I have lists a caution statement that reads "do not exceed 1,500 mcg RAE intake per day of preformed vitamin A (retinol or retinyl forms)." The suggested use advises to take 8 capsules which equates to a total vitamin A dosage of 1,500 mcg RAE. If taking this vitamin while pregnant, should you avoid the full dose due to the high amount of vitamin A? I know that my diet provides some vitamin A, I just don't know how much. If I take 4-6 capsules instead, then I am concerned that I am not getting enough of the other nutrients listed. Can you please provide guidance Dr. Lynch? | Hi Melissa - Food based vitamin A is well regulated by your body. Being mindful about vitamin A supplementation is what's important. You are all good in taking the full serving size of 8 capsules along with your dietary intake of Vitamin A. I recommend using 2-3 capsules with breakfast, 2-3 with lunch and, if needing energy in the afternoon, 2 capsules then. If you feel good in the afternoon, skip the afternoon dose. In health, |
| Hello- if I know I need to be taking an iron supplement- what should be the spacing/timing of that supplement to avoid an absorption issue with the calcium in the OP? Thanks! | Hi Bernadette - Take your 2-4 capsules of Optimal Prenatal with breakfast and 2-4 capsules with lunch. Then, during dinner, take your iron supplement, fish oil. Then after dinner, take your ProBiota HistaminX. I'd also add 1/2 lozenge of Glutathione Plus Lozenge in the morning along with a serving of Optimal Electrolyte Unflavored. Congratulations on your pregnancy ;) In health, |
| Hello. I see that the supplement does not have Omega 3, why? thank you | Hi Violeta - Correct. It doesn't have Iron either. Fish oil is best taken as an oil inside a gelatin capsule. It's most stable this way. We offer Optimal Fish Oil to ladies who wish to add EPA/DHA to their prenatal. I do highly recommend it. Iron is also not included because Iron interferes with calcium absorption. We offer Iron Chewable. In health, |
| Hi SH Love optimal prenatal. Just did blood tests and all have come back amazing except for high FSH (18) and mildly high TSH. Blood work done on day 3 of cycle. Could this be why we are having trouble falling pregnant? What else would you suggest? Thanks | Hi Matilda - Happy to hear Optimal Prenatal is treating you well! :) I recommend taking 2-3 capsules with breakfast, 2-3 with lunch, and if needing more energy in the afternoon say around 2-3 PM, take the other 2 then. Otherwise, you may only need the breakfast and lunch amounts. Do not feel you HAVE to take the full serving size if you are already feeling good and energized. I highly recommend asking my team for a list of referral health professionals to help guide you. There are many reasons why these can be and proper lab testing and history must be taken. In health, |
| Dear Dr Lynch, I’m MTHFR 677T heterozygous and PAI-1 homozygous 4G4G. I’m 6 weeks pregnant. Had one miscarriage a few years ago. I’m taking at the moment your OPTIMAL PRENATAL CAPSULES (8 a day). Is 800mcg in your PRENATAL enough of folate for me? Anything else I should take during pregnancy? | Hi Helena - Please get our Miscarriage Guide here: You will learn a LOT. I wish you a healthy pregnancy! In health, |
| Would it be possible for seeking health to create an Optimal Bundle for him and her please!? It would make ordering easier, and contain the Optimal Prenatal and Optimal Man and maybe sold at a small discounted bundled price. Thanks! | Good idea ;) We are working on a variety of bundles. I'll add this one to the list! In health, |
| Excess supplementation of some B vitamins (e.g biotin, B12), Vitamin D, and Zinc can be known to trigger acne in many people. Have you had customers struggle with breakouts as a side effect of this prenatal? | It's important to note that the symptom you've described is not a common side effect or one that we have encountered frequently. However, it's essential to be aware that some side effects, although rare, may include upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea. We strongly recommend reaching out to your healthcare professional to discuss the symptoms you are experiencing and to ensure that the product is suitable for your individual health circumstances. |
| Does this have iron in it? if not should I supplement for it | Thank you for your question! Optimal Prenatal is formulated without iron to cater to a diverse range of individual needs. We understand that not everyone requires additional iron in their routine, and this formulation allows for flexibility based on individual health considerations. We recommend consulting with your healthcare provider to assess your specific needs and determine whether iron supplementation is suitable for you. |
| Some of my pills turned black. Normal? Throw away? | Hi Caraline - If pills turn black, it's because they absorbed some water from the environment. Make sure to keep the capsules inside the container, lid tightly closed and stored in a dry area. I would throw away the really dark pills as water compromises the quality of the vitamins. In health, |
| Are there any other important vitamins I should be taking in addition to Optimal Prenatal when trying to conceive? | Hi Kristin - Great question. Optimal Prenatal is quite comprehensive. That said, here are some additional recommendations:
In health, |
| A lot of people recommend a prenatal and a fish oil during pregnancy. Does this prenatal have the fish oil ingredients or is there anything else that you recommend women look into taking ALONG with this prenatal? | Thank you for your question! No, this product does not contain fish oil ingredients. If you are looking to supplement fish oil, we would recommend discussing our Optimal Fish Oil with your trusted healthcare professional to see if it may be a good fit. |
| Can this be used as a postnatal? Or what would you recommend taking postpartum? | Thank you for your question! Yes, this product can be used postnatal. |