Sarah Bowmar here, owner of Bowmar Nutrition! I am so excited to finally bring our PRENATAL to our product lineup! I want to break down all of the details of this product as well as answer some FAQs I have been receiving on social media- let’s dive into the product!

What is a Prenatal?

A prenatal is a daily multivitamin that is specifically designed for women who are trying to conceive, pregnant, and/or breastfeeding. With the added benefits of Vitamin E and B6, many women going through menopause often take prenatals as well to reduce day-to-day symptoms and Vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis (all three ingredients are in our new prenatal). I personally will continue to take a prenatal until I am done having children and beyond- it is an amazing overall multivitamin that has additional beneficial ingredients that many multis do not. As always, consult with your doctor for any health concerns.

A prenatal does not make you more fertile. It does not increase your chance of getting pregnant. It does not facilitate conception. It is recommended by the American College of Gynecology to begin taking a prenatal AT LEAST 90 days before trying to conceive. Many nutrient deficiencies can occur while pregnant so it is best to begin your prenatal 3 months prior to conception. If you are not taking a prenatal and find out you are pregnant, begin taking one immediately!

Ingredient Breakdown

During pregnancy (and breastfeeding), your nutrient needs are different than any other time in life, coupled with the fact that baby gets all nutrients from mom, many women find themselves deficient in nutrients even if their diet is well balanced. It is VITAL to be supplementing with a high-quality prenatal to ensure a healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby. It’s also important to note that a prenatal should not replace a well-balanced diet.

Vitamin A- recommended 1300mg per day

Forms healthy skin and eyesight; helps with bone growth

Vitamin C- recommended 120mg per day

Promotes healthy gums, teeth, and bones; helps your body absorb iron

Vitamin D- recommended 15mg per day

Builds your baby’s bones and teeth; helps promote healthy eyesight and skin

Vitamin E- recommended 19mg per day

Helps your body create and maintain red blood cells, healthy skin and eyes, and strengthens your natural immune system

Vitamin K- recommended 90mg per day

Vitamin K helps blood to clot. It is essential to prevent serious bleeding. Babies do not get enough vitamin K from their mothers during pregnancy, or when they are breast feeding. Without vitamin K, they are at risk of getting a rare disorder called ‘vitamin K deficiency bleeding. It does not pass through the placenta and therefore, necessary for babies to receive Vitamin K at birth

Thiamine- recommended 1.4mg per day

Enables you and baby to convert carbs to energy. It also helps your nervous system, muscles, and heart function normally and is essential for baby’s brain development

Riboflavin- recommended 1.6mg per day

An essential vitamin (also known as B2) that helps your body produce energy. It also promotes your baby’s growth, vision, and healthy skin plus it is essential for your baby’s bone, muscle, and nerve development

Niacin- recommended 18mg per day

Improves digestion and can ease morning sickness and nausea

Vitamin B6- recommended 2mg per day

Helps form red blood cells; helps body use protein, fat, and carbohydrates

Folate- recommended 640mcg DFE per day

In early pregnancy, folic acid helps with neural tube development. It can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida). Babies tubes have formed by end of week 4 which is why it is vital to supplement with a prenatal prior to conception but at the very least AS SOON as you find out you are pregnant

There is also a huge difference in quality, effectiveness, and absorption rates between folic acid and folate (what is in our product). You can read more about the folate source in our product here

Biotin- recommended 35mcg per day

Help keep your skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system healthy. A crucial nutrient during pregnancy, as it’s important for embryonic growth

Pantothenic Acid- recommended 7mg per day

Helps create pregnancy hormones and eases leg cramps

Choline- recommended 550mg per day

An important nutrient that helps your baby’s brain and spinal cord develop properly. Some studies suggest it may also protect a newborn against neural tube defects, similar to folate

Iron- recommended 27mg per day

Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin (blood) for both you and your baby during pregnancy. Iron helps move oxygen from your lungs to the baby’s body and the rest of your body. Supplementing with iron can help prevent iron-deficiency anemia, a condition that can cause extreme fatigue and other symptoms

Zinc- recommended 13mg per day

Getting enough zinc is especially important during pregnancy because there’s so much rapid cell growth. This essential mineral also helps support your immune system, maintain your senses of taste and smell, and heal wounds

Selenium- recommended 70mcg per day

Has been shown in some studies to decrease TPO antibody levels and in one study, selenium use during pregnancy decreased TPO antibodies and reduced the risk of thyroid function abnormalities after pregnancy

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is an enzyme normally found in the thyroid gland. TPO plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones

Manganese- recommended 2.6mcg per day

Assists in the formation of fetal bones and cartilages. On top of that, it is needed to break down amino acids, carbs, and cholesterol- which is vital for the growth of the unborn baby. It is also an important mineral for protecting new cells from any potential damage

Chromium- recommended 45mcg per day

A mineral that helps your body break down and store fats, carbohydrates, and protein. It also works with the hormone insulin to maintain a normal level of glucose in your body. This is especially important if you become diabetic during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)

Gestational diabetes affects up to 10% of pregnancies in the United States. If you have GD, your baby is at a higher risk of:

• Excessive birth weight
• Early (preterm) birth
• Serious breathing difficulties
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life
• Stillbirth

Ginger Root Extract- daily value not established

Ginger has been recognized as a popular nonpharmacological treatment for morning sickness during pregnancy

Please note, it is recommended to not consume more than 1g of ginger per day if pregnant. 2 pills (1 daily serving) of our prenatal contains 10% of the daily limit.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin – daily value not established

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as kale, spinach, and broccoli, and in corn and egg yolks. The body cannot make lutein and zeaxanthin, so baby and mom must get these important nutrients from foods or supplements, or a combination.

As early as the second trimester of pregnancy, lutein and zeaxanthin start accumulating in the retina of baby’s eyes. During the third trimester, when baby’s eye and brain development are at their peak, the levels of lutein in mom’s bloodstream are also at their highest._ⁱⁱ A recent study found that children born to moms who had higher lutein and zeaxanthin levels in their blood just before delivery had a lower risk for poor visual acuity – the ability to see fine detail – at three years of age.ⁱⁱⁱ

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in areas of the brain related to sight, learning, and memory.^iv

Currently, there is no global health organization recommendation for lutein and zeaxanthin intake during pregnancy._^v  However, health professionals suggest adults consume 10 milligrams (mg) of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin daily to support eye health and to ensure adequate levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina.^vi

Other FAQs

Why doesn’t this also have calcium?

It is recommended to not consume calcium with iron as your body will prioritize calcium over iron. We recommend taking your calcium supplement and Vitamin D3 in the morning and prenatal at night, or vice versa. It is recommended to consume 1300mg of calcium per day if pregnant.

Is it vegan?

The capsules used are plant-based!

Should I be worried about an iron overdose?

Iron overdose typically occurs at 45mg or higher in adults. Our product has 27mg. If your diet is heavy in iron- it is best to track iron mg consumption to ensure a healthy dosage per day.

What about DHA?

Many of our customers are already using our Bowmar Nutrition Fish Oil which contains the recommended dosage of DHA for pregnancy. Additionally, our fish oil is sourced from wild-caught fish and is processed through state of the art purification processes to remove PCBs, dioxins and furans, and mercury to ensure purity levels below 0.09ppm, 2 ppt WHO TEQs, and 0.1ppm respectively

Additionally, there are several studies that prove DHA is best absorbed as a liquid in a soft gel cap (what our fish oil is), compared to the marine-derived oil being converted to a powder

What other supplements can I take while pregnant?

It is always recommended to consult with your doctor regarding any and all vitamins and supplements you may be taking while pregnant. There is a full list of the products I took while pregnant with Oakley, linked here.

Can I open these capsules and consume this in a liquid?

It is NOT recommended to open our PRENATAL and consume by mixing it into a liquid. The iron should not be absorbed directly as a powder, it is to be absorbed as a capsule

Let me introduce myself if you are new here. My name is Sarah Bowmar and my husband, Josh, and I are sole owners of our supplement company- Bowmar Nutrition. It is our mission to set the bar when it comes to transparency, consumer education, and product breakdown in the supplement industry. I feel there is a huge misunderstanding of PREworkout and its benefits! We offer two types of PRE: stimulant (contains caffeine and niacin- some experts consider niacin a stimulant) and a stimulant-free version!

To check out the PRE flavors we offer in each stim and stim-free base, click here

Breakdown of PRE

Caffeine is 1 of 18 ingredients in our stimulant-based PRE, yet the majority of the consumers who use PREworkout assume they are only taking it because of the energy it gives them. In reality, it’s only 5% of the formula and there is 125mg of caffeine in one 21.5g scoop (which converts to 21,500mg). As you can see, the other remaining 17 ingredients and 95% of the formula are what make PRE amazing!

When it comes to the stimulant free PRE, there are several fewer ingredients as we do not need to add in vitamins. For example, caffeine can deplete vitamins such as B6 so our stimulant (caffeine) based version has vitamin B6 in it along with several other vitamins that can be depleted when caffeine is introduced into the system. Our stim-free PRE has 10 incredible ingredients that I am going to break down for you to hopefully educate you on the benefits that a high-quality PRE has to offer!

There are also several other benefits to consuming a caffeine-free PRE such as for those who are caffeine / stimulant sensitive, those who work out at night, or those who want to consume their caffeine elsewhere during the day and not in their PRE. Whatever the case may be- I truly hope this blog provides a crystal clear understanding of why Bowmar Nutrition PRE is the best on the market. We also have samples of all of our PRE flavors in our stimulant and non stimulated based if you want to try them before committing to a tub! Find the samples here!

Ingredients

Potassium- an important mineral in the body, arguably one of the most important. In PRE, it regulates blood pressure levels, maintains nerve function, and controls fluid balance. It also helps support muscle health and muscle contractions.

L-Citrulline- a non essential amino acid that may increase blood flow (the pump) by increasing nitric oxide production. It can also produce positive muscle effects by decrease amino acid breakdown and stimulant protein synthesis. An increase in blood flow to the muscle can also result in strength increases during the lift as more blood in the muscle also means there are more nutrients in the muscle as well. This can also help with recovery and prevent injury when lifting with proper form.

Taurine- a conditionally essential amino acid that increases endurance performance, workload, and can reduce overall muscle soreness. There are also recent studies that prove it prevents muscle damage and protein catabolism while decreasing oxidative stress produced by exercise. Study can be found here

Betaine Anhydrous- a naturally occurring chemical in the body that improves hydration, stimulates water-based pumps (ie: shuttles water to your muscles), improves strength and powder, and, like l-citrulline, supports protein synthesis. As a side note, protein synthesis is a process in which our cells make protein.

L-Tyrosine- this ingredient may be familiar to many of you that use our MELT fat burner- that in-depth blog can be found here. It is an amino acid that has many incredible benefits. In the context of PRE workout, especially in a non-stimulant PRE, it helps with focus and reduces fatigue.

Acetyl L-Carnitine HCL- made from L-carnitine, this ingredient helps the body naturally produce more energy!

Green Tea Leaf Extract- caffeine is removed during the extraction process of our green tea leaf ingredient. During the process, tea leaves are soaked in water to release caffeine and other tea compounds. There is a relatively new study that looks directly at decaffeinated green tea leaf extract and the overwhelming results of its benefits of increased energy output during exercise. Full study can be found here

KSM-66 Ashwaganda Root Extract- this is another ingredient found in MELT and detailed in the blog listed above. In short- this ingredient helps decrease stress (cortisol) and increase testosterone in those who are active and weight train. Two additional studies can be found here and here

Citrapeak- probably my favorite ingredient in our PRE (this is both our stimulant and non stimulant based)! This ingredient is a derivative of citrus and has multiple studies that prove it’s effectiveness in increasing blood flow and the nitric oxide pump. The full studies can be found here

Citrus Bioflavonoids- another citrus derivative that has been proven in many third-party studies and trials to increase blood flow (again, more blood flow to the muscle being worked = stronger output, less fatigue, more nutrients, fewer injuries, and better recovery).

Please note, it is most beneficial to consume PRE 15-20 minutes prior to your lifting session. As you can see from the above, these ingredients are geared towards weight lifting. We do not recommend PRE before a cardio-only gym session as many of the ingredients will simply go to waste. And this is coming from the owner of a company who could sell you this product and tell you to take it before cardio and sell twice a much product- but we aren’t about that over at Bowmar Nutrition!

As you can see from the above breakdown, caffeine plays a SMALL role in the overall benefits and intent of a good PRE formula. I personally prefer the non-stimulant base we offer over the stimulant base and I know thousands of our customers do as well! Please leave a comment if this blog helped!

It’s not the sexiest product we sell, but it is one of the most important! 70% of your immune system stems from your gut and chances are, if you are sick often, you are also bloated constantly, have inconsistent bowel movements, and don’t get enough fiber. Too many people associate their immune system with strictly Vitamin C and that is simply not the case. While Vitamin C is a great vitamin to maintain a healthy immune system, ensuring you are getting enough fiber is also vital. Plus- you will probably experience some other amazing benefits such as less bloat, less gas, k feeling fuller longer, and being more in control of your hunger cues.

Only 5% of Americans consume an adequate amount of fiber per day!

Fiber 101

There are 2 types of fiber: insoluble fiber and soluble fiber.

Sources of insoluble fiber: wheat bran, whole grains, cereals, seeds, and the skins of many fruits and vegetables.

Sources of solute fiber: dried beans, oats, oat bran, rice bran, barley, citrus fruits, apples, strawberries, peas, and potatoes.

Both can be consumed in a supplement, as well!

Dietary fiber increases the weight and size of your stool and softens it. A bulky stool is easier to pass, decreasing your chance of constipation. If you have loose, watery stools, fiber may help to solidify the stool because it absorbs water and adds bulk to the stool.

How Much

It is recommended, for an adult, to consume 14g for every 1,000 calories you consume. For example, if you are dieting on 1,500 calories, you should be consuming 21g of fiber. 2,000 calories = 28g of fiber and so on. The only way to know how much fiber you consume per day is by keeping tracking and tallying it at the end of the day. If you are underrating on fiber through your whole food sources, supplementing with Bowmar Nutrition Fiber is a great way to fill the gap. One scoop of our fiber is 10g which makes filling the fiber gap extremely easy. If you’re under by 5g- you can use 1/2 a scoop! There is such a thing as too much fiber and it can have the opposite effect (more bloating and less regular trips to the bathroom) so you want to ensure you are getting the perfect amount!

Our Product

The active ingredient in our Bowmar Nutrition Fiber is psyllium husk!

When combined with water, many studies have shown that psyllium husk relieves constipation. When combined with water, it swells and produces more bulk, which stimulates the intestines to contract and helps speed the passage of stool through the digestive tract. This is why we recommend taking fiber before your first meal or at the very end of the day before bed!

As stated above, getting enough fiber throughout the day will help to reduce bloating, less gas, more regular bowel movements, improved immune system, etc. There are also many studies that prove fiber helps reduce bad cholesterol, improves insulin sensitivity, helps regulate body weight, and helps reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes!