Lactoferrin and Iron Support in Pregnancy
Lactoferrin can help ensure that pregnant women have enough iron available for their growing babies. It binds to iron and makes it more available for absorption by the body. It also helps to recycle iron that...
How Lactoferrin Supports Healthy Iron Levels in Pregnancy
If you're pregnant, you need more vitamins and nutrients to support the significant changes in your body and the growing needs of the developing baby inside you.
One of the most common worldwide nutrient gaps during pregnancy is low iron. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your body's tissues, so maintaining healthy iron levels is an important part of everyday wellbeing.
Women, in general, are more likely to have lower iron levels due to menstrual blood loss. Iron needs increase even more during pregnancy as blood volume increases by about 20-30% when you're pregnant and so does the amount of iron you need.
If pregnant women do not have enough iron in their diet, their iron levels may drop, which is why supporting healthy iron levels for both mother and baby is so important.
Why adequate iron intake is important during pregnancy
Iron is an essential mineral since your body uses it to make hemoglobin, a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to your body's tissues, and to make some hormones. It is also essential for the healthy growth and development of the unborn baby in the womb.
However, many pregnant women have lower iron levels, commonly during the second and third trimesters.
Maintaining healthy iron levels supports normal energy, normal oxygen transport, and overall wellbeing during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Some studies describe the importance of healthy maternal and infant iron status. This describes published research and is not a claim about the effects of our product.
What is lactoferrin and how it helps with iron support
Lactoferrin is a protein found in milk and other body fluids. It binds to iron and makes it more available for absorption by the body. It also helps to recycle iron that would otherwise be lost through the shedding of cells in the gut or urine.
This means that lactoferrin can help support healthy iron availability so pregnant women have enough iron for their growing babies. In addition, lactoferrin may help support a healthy inflammatory response and the body's natural defences.
Is lactoferrin better than iron supplements?
To support healthy iron levels in pregnancy, pregnant women are often advised to take "ferrous sulfate" or oral iron supplements.
However, iron supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as constipation and nausea. They can also be difficult to absorb.
So, lactoferrin, particularly bovine lactoferrin, may be a helpful option for supporting healthy iron levels in pregnancy, as research suggests it may be better tolerated and more easily absorbed by the body.
In addition, studies describe how lactoferrin may help support serum iron, ferritin, and hemoglobin levels, with fewer gastrointestinal effects. This describes published research and is not a claim about the effects of our product.
Research also notes that low iron is not the only factor in iron status. Chronic inflammation can also affect how iron is absorbed and transported in our bodies.
Lactoferrin not only helps support the delivery of iron but may also help support a healthy inflammatory response and thus support healthy systemic iron metabolism.
Can you take iron and lactoferrin together?
Yes, lactoferrin and iron can be taken together. In fact, lactoferrin may help support the absorption of iron, which can help maintain healthy iron levels.
However, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before beginning any supplementation. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare professional before use.
What kind of lactoferrin should I choose?
For pregnant women, studies support the use of bovine lactoferrin (BLTF) as an oral supplement for supporting healthy iron levels.
BLTF shares 70% similarity with the amino acid sequence of the human milk-derived lactoferrin with very much alike functionalities. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in the human diet.
What are the common side effects?
When lactoferrin is taken in excessive doses, common side effects can occur.
Many studies on lactoferrin have reported no apparent side effects from taking it. However, in one small, 30-day human trial, a few participants taking lactoferrin reported:
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Constipation
How do you take lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin can be taken in capsule form, although it is also available in powder form. To take lactoferrin in capsule form, take 1 to 2 capsules, twice a day. If you are taking the powder form, mix ¼ teaspoon (500 mg) of lactoferrin powder with a glass of water, juice, or smoothie. You can also add lactoferrin to other foods such as yogurt, cereal, or salad. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare professional before use.
Where to buy lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin.co is a trusted manufacturer and distributor of pure native bovine lactoferrin used for supplements, research, and custom health formulas. Visit lactoferrin.co to shop now.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8838920/