03/03/2026
Supplements prior to and during pregnancy, as well as while breastfeeding must be of the highest quality and specific to your needs.
Lily Nichols explains the need for zinc - BUT I do caution not to self prescribe but to seek the advice of a qualified fertility trained Naturopath as there are many elements involved in ensuring your baby's health outcomes.
"Zinc doesn’t get nearly as much attention for its role in brain development as iron, but its influence on the developing brain may be just as profound.
While animal studies have long shown that zinc is critical for synapse formation and myelination, until recently, we didn’t have data directly linking maternal zinc intake to human infant brain structure.
A 2025 study used MRI imaging to explore how maternal zinc intake in late pregnancy shapes brain development. The 3rd trimester is when 60% of zinc is acquired by baby. (PMID: 39861433) Researchers followed 41 mothers and their infants. Zinc intake was measured in the 3rd trimester, and newborns had MRI scans at 3 weeks old, with follow-up cognitive testing at 4, 14, and 24 months.
Babies born to moms with higher zinc intake showed:
* More mature brain microstructure — indicated by lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values in cortical gray and developing white matter (signs of advanced neural organization).
* Higher regional cerebral blood flow, suggesting improved brain metabolism.
* Better cognitive scores at 14 and 24 months (but not at 4 months), pointing to longer-term benefits as cognitive abilities mature.
In simple terms: zinc intake in the 3rd trimester was linked with more advanced infant brain development and stronger early cognitive performance.
MRI findings suggest zinc supports dendritic branching, synapse formation, and axonal growth — the structural foundations for learning and memory.
Given that roughly one-third of participants consumed less zinc than recommended, this study highlights a major opportunity for improvement. Even mild insufficiency may influence how a baby’s brain develops."
When I explain supplements, especially minerals, to patients it is the 'form' that is important. The image below illustrates this concept clearly and highlights the importance of consulting a qualified professional who has this knowledge as well as access to quality products.