Bayer Sub-Saharan Africa has launched Elevit Pre-conception, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding Multivitamin Range.
“Supported by 22 clinical studies worldwide, Elevit is designed to support women from preconception through their pregnancy journey, helping to address nutritional gaps that many first-time mothers may not be aware of,” says Dr Renissa Naidoo, Consumer Health medical lead for Bayer in South East Africa.
Elevit is the most clinically studied prenatal supplement for the following reasons:
- It is backed by 22 clinical studies to reduce neural tube defects when taken at the right time.
- It contains 19 essential vitamins and minerals.
- Tailored for each stage of pregnancy (preconception, during, breastfeeding).
- Trusted globally for over 40 years.]
Deficiencies in micronutrients such as iron, vitamin A, and zinc pose serious risks to maternal and infant health and lead to issues such as anaemia, impaired vision, stunted growth and low birth weight.
Elevit is a leading brand of multiple micronutrient supplementation, and is supported by extensive research demonstrating its effectiveness as a brand of choice for every stage of pregnancy. It is a scientifically formulated prenatal supplement containing 19 essential vitamins and minerals, including and not limited to folic acid, iron, iodine and vitamin D. These nutrients have been proven to be crucial for foetal development, maternal health and the prevention of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Elevit senior brand manager Nompumelelo Thwala says this new consumer care range reflects Bayer’s ongoing commitment to supporting women on their journey to motherhood, ensuring they have access to the essential nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy.
There is strong evidence to suggest that early life – conceptualised as the “first 1 000 days of life” (including preconception, foetal life and the first two years of infancy) – has an impact on health trajectories in later life. Maternal nutritional status has a significant impact on foetal development and maternal health during the first 1 000 days, and optimising dietary intake is a crucial step toward a healthy pregnancy.
“Elevit has been thoughtfully developed to help women who are trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding meet their increased nutritional needs. During pregnancy and lactation, micronutrient requirements can increase by up to 160% to support the growth and development of the baby. However, many women struggle to meet these needs even before entering this critical 1 000-day window through diet alone. Building up folate levels can take time, which is why it is essential to start taking prenatal supplements like Elevit Pre-conception at least one month before trying to conceive. Additionally, the second and third trimesters are as important because foetal development and nutritional needs remain elevated. Lastly, during lactation, a woman’s energy requirement increases significantly, and it’s important for new moms to get all the nutrients they need. Therefore, getting the body ready pre-, during and post-pregnancy is important for both the baby’s health and that of the mother”, explains Dr Naidoo.
The Elevit range will be available via retail and e-commerce platforms, including Dischem, Clicks, Amazon.co.za and takealot.com, with rollout from mid-November 2025.
