Is zinc safe to take while breastfeeding?

Is Zinc Safe to Take While Breastfeeding?
As new mothers navigate the complexities of breastfeeding, one common concern is the safety of taking supplements, particularly zinc. This essential trace mineral plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including immune function and cellular metabolism. Understanding its safety and necessity during breastfeeding is vital for both maternal and infant health.
Zinc in Breast Milk
Zinc is naturally present in breast milk, making it an important nutrient for breastfeeding infants. Research indicates that the levels of zinc in breast milk can be influenced by the mother’s dietary intake. A study highlighted that breastfeeding mothers who consume a diet rich in zinc tend to produce milk with higher concentrations of this essential mineral, which is crucial for the infant’s growth and development.
Safety of Zinc Supplements
The consensus among health professionals is that taking zinc supplements while breastfeeding is generally safe when done in moderation. According to expert sources, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for breastfeeding mothers differs from that during pregnancy, reflecting the increased nutritional needs during lactation.
A detailed analysis from the Lactation Database indicates that the additional zinc exposure for exclusively breastfed infants from maternal supplementation is minimal and not a health concern. Specifically, infants may receive an extra 0.03 to 0.075 mg of zinc daily from breast milk if the mother takes supplements, which is well within safe limits.
Benefits of Zinc for Nursing Mothers
Zinc is not only beneficial for infants but also plays a significant role in the health of breastfeeding mothers. It supports immune function, aids in wound healing, and contributes to overall metabolic processes. Given that zinc is involved in the production of over 300 enzymes, its presence in a mother’s diet can enhance her well-being during the demanding postpartum period.
Conclusion
In summary, zinc is a vital nutrient that is both safe and beneficial for breastfeeding mothers when taken in appropriate amounts. It supports the health of both mother and child, ensuring that infants receive adequate nutrition through breast milk. As always, mothers should consult with healthcare providers before starting any new supplement regimen to tailor their nutritional needs effectively.

Can low zinc cause miscarriage?

Zinc (Zn) deficiency has been observed to disrupt the synthesis of sex hormones, leading to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and abortion.

How much zinc is too much for a baby?

Too much zinc over the long run can cause long-term toxic effects, as well. The maximum amount considered safe by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine for children 1 to 3 years old is 7 mg. For children 4 to 8 years, it’s 12 mg. (This is called the tolerable upper intake level or UL.)

Does zinc react with milk?

We found that zinc absorption increased significantly in subjects consuming milk and yogurt added to such meals by 50 and 68% respectively. The total amount of zinc absorbed was also increased by 70 and 78% with milk and yogurt, respectively, compared with the control meal alone.

What is not recommended for breastfeeding?

Medical Contraindications for Breastfeeding
There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.

What supplements should I avoid while breastfeeding?

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

• Answer: Certain herbals, high dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous to breastfed babies through breast milk.
• Aloe latex.
• Ashwagandha.
• Berberine/goldenseal.
• Bilberry.
• Black cohosh.
• Butterbur.
• Dong quai.

Can a breastfeeding mom take zinc?

To reduce zinc loss via breast milk, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia recommends that a woman’s dietary intake of zinc during lactation should be increased: from 7 to 11 mg per day [7,15].

What vitamins decrease milk supply?

If you haven’t nursed your infant yet, high doses of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) may work to suppress lactation. One older study from the 1970s suggested that high doses B6, B1, and B12 suppressed lactation for 96% of the participants, with no unpleasant side effects.

How much zinc should I take postpartum?

The recommended dietary allowance of zinc in lactating women is 12 mg, and 11 mg in pregnant women. This is to compensate for the zinc that is secreted in breast milk. The recommended dietary allowance of selenium in lactating women is 70 mcg, and 60 mcg in pregnant women.

How does zinc affect babies?

Zinc is important for cellular growth, cellular differentiation and metabolism and deficiency limits childhood growth and decreases resistance to infections. Although severe zinc deficiency is rare in humans, mild to moderate deficiency may be common worldwide.

What are the risks of taking zinc supplements?

Adverse effects of high zinc intake include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. Intakes of 150–450 mg of zinc per day have been associated with such chronic effects as low copper status, altered iron function and reduced immune function.