Heaptalk, Jakarta — In Indonesia, 50% of women aged 19 to 24 years old decide to marry, and 80% of them are pregnant in the first year of marriage. However, during pregnancy, people only understand the benefits of supplements or multivitamins they consume, namely to ensure perfect fetal growth and prevent disabilities, without understanding the detailed ingredients of the supplement.
As cited from research conducted by the Medical Faculty of Universitas Indonesia, Indonesian women aged 17 to 39 years old experience deficiencies in folate (90%), zinc (95%), calcium (98%), vitamin B12 (78%), and vitamin D3 (100%).
“However, healthy pregnancy preparation will suggest women maintain balanced nutrition and meet their nutrient needs, such as folate, zinc, vitamin D3, and other nutrients. Before and during pregnancy, folic acid will protect the fetus from disabilities. Anaemia is also an important thing,” explained dr. Beelonie, BMed Sc, SpOG, KGER in a talk show held by Bayer in Jakarta.
Moreover, he delivered that adequate intake of micronutrients during pregnancy is crucial for optimizing fetal development in the short and long term. The lack of folic acid during the pregnancy will result in suboptimal fetal development.
Answering this challenge, German multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Bayer launched Elevit, a multivitamin composed of substances needed during pregnancy to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies before, during, and after pregnancy.
Elevit is claimed to contain a total of 800 micrograms of metafolin and folic acid. Metafolin is a form of folate that can be absorbed by the body (active folate). Elevit is available in drug stores in Indonesia, such as Guardian, Watsons, Century, Kimia Farma, etc.
Country Division Head Consumer Health of Bayer, Lidya Tjahaja, explained, “The organizing of this talk show is the manifestation of our vision and mission to enhance Indonesian knowledge, particularly women, to prepare for healthy pregnancy.”
