Moms-To-Be Also Need Zinc - iron supplements may interfere with zinc uptake - Brief Article

Agricultural Research, Oct, 2001

Expectant and nursing mothers are routinely prescribed therapeutic doses of iron--but not zinc. But research has shown that iron supplements may interfere with zinc uptake and use late in pregnancy and during the first 3 months of breast-feeding. Yet, these are the times when zinc is most needed for baby's growth and mother's milk production.

A new study is looking at healthy, nonsmoking, pregnant volunteers who plan to breast-feed their infants. They will report on the foods they eat and give biological specimens for testing. Some will reside briefly at a guesthouse and eat specially prepared meals. Researchers hope to learn more about a mother's and baby's needs for both iron and zinc. Janet C. King, USDA-ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, California; phone (530) 752-5268, e-mail jking@whnrc.usda.gov.