The decision to use any supplement during pregnancy requires careful consideration of the ingredients and potential risks. Bloom is a popular greens and superfoods powder marketed as a convenient way to boost nutrient intake. This product contains a blend of fruits, vegetables, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and various herbal extracts. The safety of non-essential supplements like this greens powder is a major concern when a growing fetus is involved. Scrutinizing the formulation, regulatory status, and concentration of active ingredients is necessary before incorporating any new supplement into a prenatal routine.
The Regulatory Environment for Dietary Supplements
Assessing the safety of products like Bloom is complicated by regulatory standards that differ from prescription drugs. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, manufacturers do not need pre-market approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlike pharmaceuticals, the burden of proving a supplement is unsafe falls on the FDA after the product is already available. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their product is safe and that claims are truthful. For pregnant individuals, this lack of mandatory pre-market oversight introduces uncertainty regarding what is being consumed and at what concentration.
Qualitative Safety Concerns: Proprietary Herbal Blends
A significant safety concern lies within the herbal components, which are often listed in a “proprietary blend.” Bloom contains an Adaptogenic Blend that includes ingredients like Ashwagandha root powder, Rhodiola root powder, American Ginseng, and Licorice Root extract. A proprietary blend means the total weight of the combined ingredients is listed, but the specific quantity of each herb remains undisclosed. Adaptogens are marketed to help the body manage stress, but their effects on a developing fetus are largely unstudied. Without knowing the exact dosage of these potent extracts, healthcare providers cannot accurately assess the exposure risk, leading medical professionals to advise against their use.
Quantitative Risks: Nutrient Overload and Interactions
A different category of risk arises from combining a fortified greens powder with a standard prenatal vitamin. Greens powders, including Bloom, contain added vitamins and minerals which, when taken alongside a prenatal formula, can push a pregnant person past the recommended Upper Intake Limits (ULs). This quantitative risk is concerning for fat-soluble vitamins, which are stored in the body and can accumulate to toxic levels. Over-intake of preformed Vitamin A (retinol) is associated with teratogenicity, causing birth defects. Combining a prenatal vitamin with a fortified greens supplement significantly increases the chance of exceeding the safety threshold of 10,000 International Units (IU) per day for Vitamin A.
Medical Recommendations and Safe Alternatives
The consensus among major medical bodies, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), is to limit supplementation to what is demonstrably necessary. A daily, physician-approved prenatal vitamin containing folic acid, iron, and Vitamin D is the primary recommended supplement. Non-essential supplements, including greens powders and herbal blends, should be avoided unless explicitly cleared by a healthcare provider who has reviewed the full ingredient list. For individuals seeking to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and fiber, the safest alternatives involve consuming whole foods. Eating a variety of fresh or frozen whole foods provides nutrients in their natural forms, without the risk of hyper-dosing or consuming unstudied herbal extracts.