In most of the multivitamin preparation for pregnant women, iodine is not sufficient as the manufacturers claim, that deficiency put the babies at the high risk of brain development disorders.

Tests of sixty brands reveal that, which claim to have iodine as key ingredient, do not contain the amount, stated on the label and are far less than the requirements of the pregnant mothers. The high risk has been noticed in the natural multivitamins because the obtain iodine from seaweed ash instead of salt.

“If the findings are absolutely correct, its mean supplements are not up to the mark,” FDA scientists said.

Iodine can be found naturally in the table salt, dairy products and the sea food. Iodine deficiency is the major cause of thyroid goiter and metal retardation, which affects the more than two billion people all over the world.

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Children who are vegetarians or wants to be must use protein alternatives to meat, fish or poultry to avoid protein deficiency, experts said.

Good alternative of protein are soybeans, fortified soy milk and nuts. These food stuffs are rich sources of the useful protein, iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin D that most youngsters get from meat.

Nutritional yeast that has a natural cheesy flavor contains the vital vitamin B-12 and flaxseed is ideal source of linolenic acid.

Vegetarian children, who use eggs and dairy products in their diet, will most probable get all the essential nutrition required for the proper body function.

But those who only rely on vegetables and fruit while abstaining dairy products should be more careful, said Dr. David Ludwig of Children’s Hospital Boston, a specialist in pediatric nutrition.

“It truly requires much more efforts to avoid nutrient deficiencies,” Ludwig said.

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