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Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water soluble vitamin that plays an important role as a coenzyme in the human body. A coenzyme is a molecule that binds to an enzyme allowing it to function – and pyridoxine binds to many enzymes (over 100!) that are important in energy metabolism. Good food sources […]
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Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water soluble vitamin that plays an important role as a coenzyme in the human body. A coenzyme is a molecule that binds to an enzyme allowing it to function – and pyridoxine binds to many enzymes (over 100!) that are important in energy metabolism. Good food sources of pyridoxine include fish, poultry and certain nuts. Many prenatal and multivitamin/multimineral supplements contain pyridoxine. Nursing women should consume ~2 mg of vitamin B6 per day.
For a nursing mother, pyridoxine in the diet is important because concentrations in breast milk are dependent on maternal intake. A landmark study completed in 1985 showed that as maternal pyridoxine intake increased, so did concentrations in human milk. Additionally, recent research has shown that B-vitamins in human milk can fluctuate daily based on time of day, dietary intake, and when vitamin supplements are consumed – so avoiding pyridoxine is not advised.
When it comes to breastfeeding, though, nursing mothers may need to be careful about how much they are taking (particularly in supplements). According to one study, supplemental doses of pyridoxine ranging from 0.5-4.0 mg/day had no impact on serum prolactin levels or milk supply. Similarly, another study saw no impact of a maternal 100 mg intramuscular dose of pyridoxine at term. There is some evidence that high doses of B6 (600 mg/day) can cause suppression of lactation. While the body of evidence is not robust, because B6 levels in milk are easily impacted, do not advise mothers to avoid pyridoxine. It may be appropriate for an RD to evaluate B6 intake to ensure it is less than 4 mg per day if you suspect B6 intake may be impacting milk supply.
Interested in nutrition support during pregnancy or lactation? Email nutrition@hopefeedsbabies.com to set up your appointment today!
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Oh caffeine… whether it is the coffees, sodas, teas or the like, many of us are addicted to caffeine. However, when you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding your caffeine habits may need to change. So, what is caffeine? Although many refer to caffeine as energy, caffeine does not provide your body with energy. Scientifically, energy for […]
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Did you know that postpartum nutrition looks different than nutrition before and during pregnancy? Hunger can skyrocket if you are breastfeeding, and food restrictions loosen up (allowing incorporation of ALL those foods you missed!). This can be challenging for some, especially if there is a goal to lose weight after delivering. However, it is vital to properly fuel your body especially if you are breastfeeding. This means feeling confident in meeting all of your nutrient requirements WITHOUT feeling hungry or restricted. That is why Rebekah Culp, MS, RDN, LD has created the Comprehensive Lactation + Postpartum Nutrition Guide. In this resource you will find information on how to build a healthy plate, the best way to lose weight, key nutrients for lactation, general food safety and more! Most importantly, all of the content is tailored to postpartum and lactation needs – so you can get information that is applicable to your specific life stage.
Check out the parent resources for more information. If you are interested in a more tailored, one-on-one approach to your postpartum nutrition, you can schedule a nutrition consult with one of our Registered Dietitians today to help you reach your goals by emailing nutrition@hopefeedsbabies.com.
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Increased hunger is a natural occurrence during pregnancy, as there is a tiny human growing. However, those energy (calorie) requirements are not of a second full-grown human. So, how much do energy requirements change during pregnancy? Let’s have a look: As you can see in the above image, the further along in pregnancy, the higher […]
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