The Optimal Body 417 | Nutrition for Women: Not All Prenatals Are Equal with Julie Sawaya
In this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, Doctors of Physical Therapy, interview Julie Sawayah, co-founder of Needed. They discuss the critical gaps in prenatal nutrition, highlighting common deficiencies in standard prenatal vitamins and the importance of optimal dosing and quality ingredients in prenatals. Julie explains Needed’s approach to comprehensive, research-backed supplements for women and men, and emphasizes the role of education in empowering families to make informed health choices, especially within the area of nutrition for women. The episode also covers the expansion into postpartum and children’s nutrition, underscoring Needed’s commitment to supporting women’s health and nutrition and providing evidence based body tips at every stage.
Needed Discount:
Although the journey of pregnancy is so personal and individual, Jen's number one question goes back to what she did to help her conceive and maintain the pregnancy. While there were a myriad of factors that contributed, she reliably counted on Needed supplements that supported her journey! Men need support as well via sperm support and men's multivitamins. While women are supported by egg quality supplementation, CoQ10, prenatal Omega 3, iron, and choline in tablet or powder form. Used by over 6000 health professionals, Needed is available to support pregnancy, fertility, and postpartum, as well as women's and men's health in general. Check out needed if you know there's a gap in your nutrition via code OPTIMAL for 20% off.
Free Week of the Jen Health Membership:
Looking for a movement community that gives you the plan specific to your body? Need accountability and a plan that is specific to your restrictions?! Come grab a free week of our Jen Health Membership! You'll have access to 12 plans that were all curated by Doc Jen, Dr of Physical Therapy. We make sure you get set up with the plan that will be best for your goals and the rest is laid out for you to follow! Come check it out today! You can even get a discount on your first month using code OPTIMAL at checkout!
Julie's Resources:
We think you’ll love:
- Get A Free Week on Jen Health!
- Pelvic Floor Foundations Course
- Jen’s Instagram
- Dom’s Instagram
- YouTube Channel
For full show notes and resources, visit: https://jen.health/podcast/417
What You Will Learn:
02:17 Julie and her co-founder’s personal experiences with nutrient testing and discovering widespread deficiencies.
04:29 Low barriers to entry in supplements, lack of research, and the need for higher standards.
06:48 Why quality and optimal dosing in prenatal vitamins matter for both mother and baby.
09:09 Julie reflects on Needed’s impact and supporting over 100,000 women.
11:11 Explanation of bioavailability, dosing, and why most prenatals underdose key nutrients.
13:30 How the body prioritizes baby’s needs and why optimal dosing is crucial for mothers.
16:39 Needed’s resources for comparing 75+ prenatal brands and how to augment deficiencies.
21:07 Vision for all prenatal vitamins to meet optimal standards in the future.
23:11 Why some prenatals omit key nutrients like choline and magnesium due to formulation constraints.
27:20 Clarifying high RDA percentages, safety, and the importance of not exceeding safe nutrient levels.
32:53 Risks of mineral deficiencies during pregnancy and their impact on women’s health.
34:58 How nutrition impacts sperm health and the recommended supplements for men.
40:51 Why today’s environment and food supply make supplementation more necessary than in past generations.
43:22 Julie’s perspective on beef liver as a supplement and why it’s not a substitute for a prenatal.
47:30 Needed’s efforts to educate practitioners and consumers through Needed Academy.
51:01 Introduction of cognitive support and other products for postpartum and later life stages.