Supplements from Preconception on Up

from Jon Barron's Newsletter

Supplements from Preconception on Up

It's always fascinating to me how certain questions seem to arrive at the Foundation in bursts. Nothing for a year or two, and then suddenly everyone's asking the same questions. And so it has been recently. We've had a barrage of questions on what supplements are suitable for pregnant women and children. In fact, what supplements are suitable for:

• Preparing to get pregnant
• Getting pregnant
• While pregnant
• While breastfeeding
• For infants
• And for children up to about the age of 14

So, without further ado:

Preparing to get pregnant

This is your normal supplementation period. This is the time to maximize the health of both the mother and father. We're not just talking about optimizing fertility—although, to be sure, sperm quality and quantity are highly susceptible to dietary and environmental changes. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed beforehand because you may not have time after pregnancy, and for some things (such as detoxes), you absolutely should not do them after you are pregnant. The time before you get pregnant is the time to run your full detoxes, to balance your hormones, and to optimize your nutrition levels.

The need for detoxing

There are many reasons for detoxing before getting pregnant. Let's deal with just a couple to give you an idea as to why it's so important.

• When a pregnant woman has an elevated blood lead level, that lead can easily be transferred to the fetus, as lead easily crosses the placenta. At that point, the developing fetus is at particular risk from maternal lead exposure, withlow birth weight and slowed postnatal neurobehavioral development frequently seen. 
• And it's important for men too. Studies have shown that even moderate exposure to lead and cadmium can significantly reduce sperm quality and reproductive capacity. Also, chemicals such as dibromochloropropane (DBCP), chlordecone, carbaryl and ethylene dibromide negatively impact male fertility—as do smoking and alcohol consumption.

The idea is very simple. Before getting pregnant, you want to clean out as much toxic waste from the body as possible. Not just heavy metals, but all waste, including: drug residues, PCBs, xenoestrogens, etc. And, as you'll learn shortly, once pregnant, detoxing is no longer an option—so do it before. You will want to run through the whole gamut of detoxes if possible.

• Colon cleanse
• Heavy metal detox
• Kidney cleanse
• Liver/gallbladder flush
• Blood cleanse

Balancing hormones

It's also important to balance hormones before getting pregnant. In fact, the ability of women to even get pregnant can be greatly affected by hormonal imbalances—particularly estrogen dominance. Specifically, estrogen dominance can lead to uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and ovarian cysts—all of which can compromise the ability of women to conceive. The only natural balancer for excessive estrogen in the body is natural progesterone.

As I mentioned above, the proper amount of natural progesterone (aka bio-identical progesterone) is crucial for a woman who is trying to become pregnant, especially after she reaches her thirties. Natural progesterone prepares the uterine wall for implantation of the fertilized egg. Without adequate progesterone, the egg will be expelled. Natural progesterone treatment can also be used to induce fertility when there appears to be ovulatory dysfunction. How does it help?

• It makes possible the survival of the fertilized egg.
• It maintains the secretory endometrium which feeds the ovum and embryo.
• And as an "oh, by the way" sort of thing—a progesterone surge at ovulation is fundamental to the sex drive.

Doctors may not use natural progesterone to treat infertility, but women are doing it nonetheless—and getting results. Note: if desired, you can always test your progesterone levels.

Nutrition before pregnancy

The importance of a healthy diet cannot be overstated. To function properly, the reproductive system requires proper vitamin and mineral support. Nutritional deficiencies can impair hormone function, inhibit sperm production, and contribute to the production of abnormal sperm. In preparation for getting pregnant, both men and women need to optimize their nutrition levels. Here's a good guide as to what to look for: http://www.jonbarron.org/newsletters/07/4-9-2007.php. Specifically, though, to give you a sense of why nutrition plays such a key role in getting pregnant—for both men and women—let's take a quick look at the role some specific nutrients play.

Men

• Arginine is needed to produce sperm and enhance motility.
• Coenzyme Q10 increases sperm count and motility.
• As does vitamin B-12.
• Selenium also improves sperm motility.
• As does astragalus.
• L-carnitine is required for normal sperm function.
• Vitamin E ( full complex) improves sperms' ability to impregnate.
• Zinc is required for sperm production.

Women

• Folic acid can prevent spina bifida in babies. But it is essential to supplement both before and during pregnancy. Most doctors now say 400 mcg is enough (and it took years to get them to go that high). There is research, however, that shows that a 4000 mcg dose of folic acid will prevent 83% of neural tube defects, compared to only a 36% reduction with the standard 400 microgram dose.
• All of the B vitamins are essential during the pre-conceptual period. In particular, research has shown that giving vitamin B6 to women who have trouble conceiving increases fertility. Along with B6, the other methylating vitamins, B12 and TMG, are crucial as women with high homocysteine levels find it harder to conceive and are more likely to have a miscarriage. Look for a mix that contains at least 50 mg of B6, 500 mcg of B12, 800 mcg of folic acid, and 500 mg of TMG.
• Chasteberry works to restore hormonal balance. It is particularly helpful for those women who have a luteal phase defect (shortened second half of the cycle) or those with high prolactin levels because it stimulates the proper functioning of the pituitary gland which controls the hormones. There have been numerous studies on chasteberry. In one study, 48 women diagnosed with infertility took chasteberry daily for three months, seven of them became pregnant during that time and twenty-five of them regained normal progesterone levels.
• There are reports that Vitamin A damages the development of cells in fetuses, leading to the development of conditions like spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and urinary tract malformations. And yes, if taken in excess, vitamin A can indeed build up in the liver and cause serious harm to a growing baby. However, the form of vitamin A known as natural beta-carotene does not store in the liver, presents no danger to the fetus, and has very positive health benefits. Supplements that use beta-carotene as their source of vitamin A, not to mention all foods that contain beta-carotene, present no problem.

Getting pregnant

Everything that we've already covered on preparing to get pregnant applies to actually getting pregnant. In addition:

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the most common cause of female infertility. Current research suggests that PCOS results from a failure to use insulin properly. This causes insulin levels to rise. The high insulin levels, in turn, cause a variety of other effects such as high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, and high triglyceride levels. Insulin also appears to have an effect on the ovaries, causing them to produce high levels of testosterone and similar compounds which halt egg maturation and interfere with the menstrual cycle. The solution lies not in reducing testosterone levels, but in improving insulin utilization.

Studies have shown that a special natural form of inositol known as d-chiro-inositol can effectively help with insulin resistance. It is found in legumes and especially in buckwheat. Consumption of buckwheat protein extract appears to reduce excessively high blood sugar levels and reduce the excretion of d-chiro-inositol in diabetic rats. In addition, the use of Cinnulin, a cinnamon extract, has also been proven effective in helping reduce insulin resistance.

Supplementation while pregnant

When it comes to supplementation while pregnant, there are really three very distinct areas of concern:

• What supplements are beneficial to the health of the mother
• What supplements are good for the fetus
• What supplements might be good for the mother, but need to be avoided because they are not good for the fetus

Again, basic nutrients are essential. In particular, though, certain deficiencies are common among pregnant women.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women is now being referred to as an " ongoing epidemic." In fact, more than 80 percent of black women and almost 50 percent of white women tested vitamin D deficient during pregnancy. The levels were even higher among infants; 92.4 percent of black babies and 66.1 percent of white babies were vitamin D deficient at birth. And it's not just bones that we're talking about. Vitamin D deficiencies in the mother's diet can have a significant impact on asthma and immune system problems as well. 1000-2000 IU a day of D3 is not too much—particularly if you don't spend much time in the sun.

Vitamin A

Animal studies show that vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy has produced newborn animals with no eyes, eye defects, cleft palates, kidney problems, undescended testes, and diaphragmatic hernias —to name just some of the problems. As we discussed earlier, beta-carotene is a vitamin A precursor and is perfectly safe. Dosages of beta-carotene as high as 10-15 mg are hardly extreme. And make sure you use naturally sourced beta-carotene, not the synthetic kind made from acetylene gas that's used in most supplements..

Folic Acid

As I mentioned earlier, folic acid can prevent spina bifida in babies. But it is essential to supplement both before and during pregnancy. You should up your dose to 800 mcg, at the minimum, while pregnant. Because folic acid is water-soluble. Because folic acid vitamins are water-soluble, your body will flush out the excess if you consume too much. And, as always, I recommend a whole-food supplement.

Calcium

Calcium deficiencies during pregnancy can affect the growth of the skeletal system, lead to hypertension, and affect fetal growth and weight. However, calcium supplementation is less important than calcium utilization.

Avoid during pregnancy

Yes, it is necessary to avoid certain nutrients, herbs, and foods during pregnancy.

• You wouldn't think the obvious ones would need mentioning— but apparently they do since so many pregnant women still indulge. We're talking about:
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Cigarettes
  • High sugar sodas and foods
  • Empty calorie foods
• When it comes to herbs, the general rule is "don't" unless you know the particular herb is okay. The problem is that a number of herbs are no no's because they stimulate uterine contractions, which can cause a miscarriage. Just a few include:
  • Both black and blue cohosh
  • Borage oil
  • Pennyroyal
  • Red raspberry leaf
  • Sage
  • Yarrow
  • In addition, dong quai can stimulate bleeding
• Other herbs to avoid include: kava kava, marijuana, passionflower, Siberian ginseng, valerian and St. John's wort. Again, when it comes to herbs and pregnancy, the general rule is, "Don't use unless you know for sure."
• If you're using melatonin to help you sleep, stop during pregnancy. High levels of melatonin during pregnancy may increase the risk of developmental disorders.
• And avoid all detoxing while pregnant as the detox process can stir up toxins and move them into the bloodstream on their way out of the body. Once in the bloodstream, they have the potential to cross the placenta and reach the baby before they clear the mother's body. Detoxing needs to wait until breastfeeding has ended.

While breastfeeding

Supplementing while breastfeeding is quite similar (but not identical) to supplementing while pregnant. There are a couple of notable differences.

Post partum depression

Depression after pregnancy is called postpartum or peripartum depression and is most likely triggered by hormonal changes. During pregnancy, the amount of progesterone in the body (aka the "feel good hormone") increases greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of progesterone plummets back down to normal non-pregnant levels. In many women, this can trigger a profound depression—particularly in anyone already prone to bouts of depression. Using an all natural progesterone crème to help restore levels so that they can be backed down more slowly can literally be life saving.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Supplementation with essential fatty acids not only helps with overall health, it also helps relieve depression and improves the health benefits of the breast milk for the baby. As for the best source of Omega-3's, check out my recommendations.

Garlic

According to the La Leche League, "In Italy, mothers are often told not to eat garlic, cauliflower, lentils, and red peppers. In India, most mothers eat all these things and breastfeed very happily. Actually, in parts of India, they believe that garlic helps a mother to breastfeed successfully." In fact, there are even some studies that showed that babies prefer the taste of garlicky milk, remain attached to the breast for longer periods and consume more garlic-flavored than "plain" milk.

But taste isn't the prime issue here. The fact is that garlic has pronounced antibacterial and antiviral properties— and it transfers that protection to the breastfeeding baby.

Fenugreek and blessed thistle

Fenugreek and blessed thistle can increase breast milk, wheras other herbs, such as sage, can reduce a mother’s milk supply. For a complete list, check out.

Supplements for infants

If you are breastfeeding, most nutritional needs will be met by the breast milk. Add a little exposure to the sun every day for vitamin D and the baby's requirements are covered. Breast milk really is the perfect food for infants.

Stay away from soy formulas. Not only are the phytoestrogens too strong for infants, but unfermented soy is high in phytates, which block the absorption of essential minerals. Dairy formulas are not much better—being highly allergenic. Unfortunately, throughout most of the world, governments tend to mandate that infant formulas be based on cows' milk protein, hydrolysed dairy protein, or soy protein. And virtually all infant formulas are pumped with synthetic vitamins.

Goat's milk formulas are better in that the protein levels are much closer to that found in human breast milk, but goat's milk also tends to have the same allergens and the same levels of lactose. And government regulators do not endorse it. Until such time as someone comes out with a hypoallergenic baby formula that is supplemented with natural vitamins and minerals, breastfeeding is far and away the best way to go.

Note: If one of the baby formula companies doesn't take on a proper formula project sometime soon, I may have to add it to my project list and just do it myself.

In emergencies

In special circumstances, infants can use small amounts of supplements such as:

• Natural vitamin supplements
• Liquid trace mineral supplements
• Immune boosters
• Pathogen destroyers
• Probiotic supplements

In all cases, though, work with your pediatrician.

And supplements for children up to about the age of 14

Children eat the same diets adults do—maybe even worse when they start hanging out with their friends. In addition, once they go to school, they are exposed to far more bacteria and viruses to which they have no developed immunity. That means the need for nutritional support is at least as great as for adults. Certainly this would include:

• A multivitamin/mineral formula
• A liquid trace mineral formula
• Probiotic support
• Immune system support

Let's be perfectly clear here. Sugar flavored, artificially colored, synthetic vitamins are not what we're talking about here. All of the rules for quality supplements apply equally when it comes to children's supplements. With basic support like we're talking about above, dosage is not much of a factor. These are essentially foods, not synthetic isolates. It's hard to overdose. However, if you want a rule of thumb to use as a guideline:

• Consider a 150 lb adult as the average, then adjust by weight.
• A 50 lb child would get one-third the adult dose. A 75 lb child, one-half the adult dose.

In addition, make sure the child gets plenty of water soluble fiber in their diet to maintain regularity and plenty of omega-3 fatty acids to counterbalance excessive omega-6 fatty acids that are abundant in most fast foods nowadays.

Anything beyond that such as pathogen destroyers, colon corrective formulas, detoxing, etc. should only be used with a pediatrician's approval and guidance. When you think about it, though, with so many children being put on ADD drugs, bipolar drugs, and whatnot, it's hard to think of natural nutritional supplements as being any kind of major health threat.

Hormonal balancing

Children are exposed to all of the same xenoestrogens that adults are, in approximately the same amounts—and with far less body mass to accommodate them. That means they present an even bigger problem for children than for adults. It's one of the prime reasons that puberty for young girls has dropped from an average age of 15-16 to as young as 8-9. Although, I'm not a huge fan of soy in large quantities, fermented soy (such as tempeh and miso) in moderate amounts actually makes some sense and is likely cancer protective. Also, if young girls or boys show signs of estrogen dominance, several symptoms can occur:

• Early onset of puberty
• Severe PMS at a young age
• Undescended testicles at birth
• Etc.

You might want to talk to your pediatrician about using a small amount of a women's or men's natural progesterone crème.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a selective role for natural supplements of all kinds as you move through the pregnancy process.

• Preparing to get pregnant
• Getting pregnant
• While pregnant
• While breastfeeding
• For infants
• And for children up to about the age of 14

Just use common sense and work with your pediatrician.

NOTE: Jon Barron is one of the world's foremost voices in natural health and I consider him an important mentor of mine, and am also proud to be an affiliate of his Baseline of Nutrition products.

Speaking of babies, if you have not seen this, you might enjoy it:

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and, if you are like me and closer to the age of being a grandparent, don't miss

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Tony Isaacs, aka DQ - be sure to drop by my forum
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