£32.95
Vital Essence 1 delivers targeted, research-backed nutrition for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, supporting early foetal development and maternal health.
This specialist multivitamin is formulated for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, supplying key nutrients to support rapid cell division, neural tube formation, and maternal energy. Each serving delivers 400µg active Folate, Vitamin D, Iron, Iodine and antioxidants to help reduce fatigue and promote a healthy start to pregnancy.
A tailored prenatal formula for weeks 1-12 that focuses on Folate, bone-building Vitamin D, and Iron to sustain mother and baby through early gestation.
Methylfolate is the active form, absorbed directly without enzyme conversion, critical during the early stages of foetal neural development.
We believe in complete transparency and quality you can trust. Each batch is independently tested, and we make our certificates available so you can be assured of the purity, safety, and consistency of our products.
Batch Code |
Batch Certificate |
|---|---|
| 6923 | Download certificate |
All women in the first trimester, whether planning or just discovering pregnancy, who want to ensure foundational nutritional support.
Yes, but for best neural-tube protection, start as soon as possible in the first trimester or try our other trimester specific supplements such as Vital Essence 2 or Vital Essence 3.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect reproductive cells from oxidative stress. It plays a vital role in collagen production, supports normal immune function, contributes to iron absorption, and is involved in normal energy metabolism.
Female Fertility
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation, supporting the structure of the endometrium and cervical secretions that aid conception. As an antioxidant, it helps reduce oxidative stress within the ovaries. Some studies suggest a role in supporting normal progesterone levels during the luteal phase, which may be relevant to ovulation and implantation.
Male Fertility
Vitamin C is one of the main antioxidants in seminal plasma. It helps protect sperm DNA and cell membranes from oxidative damage and contributes to maintaining sperm motility and morphology. Vitamin C also regenerates other antioxidants, such as vitamin E and glutathione, within seminal fluid.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, vitamin C supports the normal function of the immune system and contributes to collagen synthesis, important for tissue strength and elasticity. It enhances non-heme iron absorption, which is crucial for maternal iron status. Vitamin C is also involved in connective tissue formation, relevant to the developing placenta.
Postnatal
After birth, vitamin C supports tissue repair and immune recovery. It helps with iron absorption during breastfeeding and contributes to maternal antioxidant status. Its role in collagen formation also supports skin health during the postnatal period.
Iron contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin, supports oxygen transport in the body, helps reduce tiredness and fatigue, and contributes to normal cognitive function.
Female Fertility
Iron supports oxygen transport and energy metabolism, both of which are important for ovulatory function. It contributes to tissue formation, supporting the endometrium in preparation for conception, and is often included in preconception supplements for women with higher iron demands.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, iron requirements increase significantly to support maternal blood volume expansion and the developing foetus. Iron helps meet these increased needs by supporting normal red blood cell formation, oxygen transport and energy levels.
Postnatal
After birth, iron is important for restoring maternal iron levels and supporting recovery. It contributes to reducing tiredness and fatigue, supports normal cognitive function, and helps maintain vitality during the postnatal period.
Female Fertility: Important to build stores prior to pregnancy. Needed for the development of red blood cells and DNA production
Male Fertility: Vitally important for the normal functioning of the immune system and for normal cell division
Pregnancy: Known to help prevent spina bifida. Works together with Vitamin B12 to ensure healthy cell-division and normal tissue growth during pregnancy
Postnatal: Promotes the production of new and healthy cells for your body. Supplementation can be valuable as good supplies are hard to get from food alone, especially when breastfeeding
Vitamin B12 supports red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and neurological function.
Female Fertility
B12 is essential for healthy ovulation and endometrial receptivity. It supports DNA synthesis, which is critical in the early stages of embryonic development, and aids the conversion of homocysteine, elevated levels of which have been associated with reduced fertility.
Male Fertility
B12 contributes to normal sperm production and motility. It plays a key role in DNA replication and methylation, supporting sperm integrity and reducing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
Pregnancy
B12 is vital for foetal neural tube and brain development. It is a form the body can use directly, offering enhanced absorption and efficiency during pregnancy. It works synergistically with folate to support methylation pathways.
Postnatal
Vitamin B12 supports maternal mood, energy and cognitive clarity during recovery. It is particularly important for breastfeeding mothers, as B12 is passed through breast milk and supports the infant’s neurological development.
Pregnancy: Critical for cellular function and energy metabolism.
Pregnancy: Promotes nerve and red blood cell health.
Potassium iodide provides iodine, an essential mineral that supports thyroid function and reproductive hormone balance.
Female Fertility
Iodine contributes to the normal production of thyroid hormones, which are essential for ovulation and menstrual cycle regulation. Suboptimal iodine intake has been linked to reduced fertility and may delay conception.
Male Fertility
In men, thyroid hormones influence metabolism, testosterone production and spermatogenesis. Iodine supports thyroid integrity and indirectly contributes to healthy sperm parameters.
Pregnancy
Iodine demand increases significantly during pregnancy to support foetal brain development and maternal thyroid function. Potassium iodide provides a stable, well-tolerated form that helps meet these needs and supports neurological development from the earliest stages.
Postnatal
Iodine remains important during breastfeeding, as it supports the infant’s cognitive development and ensures maternal thyroid recovery after birth.
Source Ingredients:Brown Rice Powder, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide, Empty Capsule Shells 00 HPMC Clear Normal Release, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), L-Choline Bitartrate, Ferrous Fumarate (Iron), Zinc Citrate, Alpha Lipoic Acid Powder, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal5-Phosphate), Vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate), Beta Carotene Beadlets, Vitamin B3 (Nicotinamide), DL-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin D3, Manganese Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Vitamin K2 MK7 (Menaquinone-7), Marigold Flower (Lutein), Quatrefolic® ((6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic Acid, Glucosamine Salt) (Folate), SodiumSelenite Anhydrous (Selenium), Biotin (D-Biotin), Potassium Iodide (Iodine), Chromium Picolinate, Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin).
Allergens: May contain soya.
No, we recommend keeping the vitamins in their original glass jar.
Our packaging is designed to protect the product quality. The glass jar, together with the desiccant and tightly sealed lid, helps prevent moisture and oxidation. Decanting into another container (like a pill pot) can expose the vitamins to air and humidity, which may cause colour changes and reduce their effectiveness.
Vital Essence 1 is specifically formulated for the crucial early days of conception and the first trimester. It delivers high-quality nutrients, including Folate (active form of Folic Acid), Vitamin C, Niacin, and more, supporting early foetal growth. The reduced capsule intake from 3 capsules to 2 capsules ensures convenience without compromising effectiveness.
Yes, taking with a meal enhances absorption of fat soluble vitamins like D.
No, this is formulated specifically for early prenatal nutrition.
Take the next dose as soon as you remember; do not double up on capsules.
Vitamin A plays a pivotal role in supporting foetal development, contributing to essential processes such as embryonic growth, immune system function, and vision development. However, it's crucial to approach vitamin A intake during pregnancy with caution, as excessive levels can pose risks. In our supplements, we prioritise the safety of both the mother and the developing baby by utilising a carefully chosen form of vitamin A—Beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene serves as a safe precursor to vitamin A, and the body converts it into active vitamin A only as needed, ensuring that levels remain within the recommended, safe range. This approach allows us to provide the necessary support for foetal development without compromising safety.
In the first trimester, your baby is forming vital organs and neural pathways. Vital Essence 1 provides essential nutrients like Folate (active form of Folic Acid) to prevent neural tube defects, and Vitamin C for overall well-being.
Folic acid and Folate are both forms of vitamin B9, but there are important differences between the two.
Folic Acid: This is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, commonly found in supplements and fortified foods. While it is effective in raising folate levels in the blood, it needs to be converted into the active form of folate by the body in multiple steps. Some people have a genetic variation that makes this conversion less efficient.
Folate: This is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9, found in foods like leafy greens, legumes, and fruits. Folate is more readily absorbed and utilised by the body, especially in the form of Quatrefolic®, which is an active and natural form that ensures greater absorption.
Because folate is more easily used by the body and doesn't require the same conversion process as folic acid, it is often recommended as the preferred option, particularly for those who have difficulty converting folic acid into its active form.
Yes, Vital Essence 1 provides the NHS recommended intake of Folic Acid in the active form Folate. Each serving (2 capsule) provides 400μg of Folate. We use Folate, the natural and active form which is readily absorbed by the body. This ensures it can quickly and effectively raise your levels to support early foetal development.
The first three months of pregnancy are in many ways the most crucial stage of a baby’s development – the time when all of his or her organs and systems are forming, as well as hands, feet, and limbs. It is now recognised that a mother’s diet immediately before conception and in the first weeks of pregnancy can influence the way that the embryo develops.
Alongside Zita West Vital Essence 1, we recommend taking Vital DHA for maximum benefit to your overall nutrition.
For those looking for a comprehensive range of supplements to support them in their first trimester, take a look at Zita West Newly Pregnant Trimester 1 Support Pack. The pack contains all of the supplements we recommend to support you throughout the first trimester
Yes, it is recommended that women take prenatal vitamins during early pregnancy to ensure that both the mother and the developing foetus receive adequate nutrition. Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated with higher amounts of certain vitamins and minerals that are important for foetal development, such as Folate, Iron, and Calcium.
We've optimised the dosage for Vital Essence 1 to 2 capsules to simplify your routine while maintaining optimal nutrient support for you and your growing baby. The range has been optimised to ensure that we are providing the most important nutrients during each trimester at the clinically research amount.
Take 2 capsules per day, either together or split throughout the day for optimal absorption.
Still have questions? Book your free 1:1 consultation with our inhouse fertility nutrition for personalised support.
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