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Iron During Pregnancy

An argument that non-anemic women should choose plant-based sources of iron and not supplement during pregnancy.

April 23, 2011 |
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Supplementary Info

Sources Cited

Non-anaemic pregnant women should not take iron supplements. Prescrire Int. 2009 Dec;18(104):261-2.

Weinberg ED. First trimester curtailment of iron absorption: innate suppression of a teratogen? Med Hypotheses. 2010 Feb;74(2):246-7. Epub 2009 Oct 4.

Acknowledgements

Transcript

Last year we learned that iron supplements were harmful, but what about for, pregnant women—it’s a chief component of most prenatal vitamins. Now this is for nonanemic women—obviously if you’re iron deficient, no matter who you are, you may need extra iron, but if your blood count’s ok, is supplemental iron during pregnancy harmful, harmless, or helpful? Harmful, “non-anemic pregnant woment should not take iron supplements.” But why?
Increases the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and maternal hypertension. In fact, during the first trimester your body dramatically curtails iron absorption naturally. Maybe, this researcher is suggesting, it’s your body’s way of trying to protect the baby. Your body can only control the absorption of plant iron, though. Blood iron—so-called “heme” iron from animal sources, cannot be controlled by your body. It goes right through the gut and you could inadvertently get too much of it.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by veganmontreal.

To help out on the site please email volunteer@nutritionfacts.org

Dr. Michael Greger

Doctor's Note

Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. And check out the other videos on pregnancy. Also, there are 1,449 other subjects covered in the rest of my videos--please feel free to explore them as well!

Check out my associated blog post, How to Enhance Mineral Absorption.

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/mgreger/ Michael Greger M.D.

    Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. And check out the other videos on pregnancy. Also, there are 1,449 other subjects covered in the rest of my videos–please feel free to explore them as well!

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/brandon-becker/ Brandon Becker

    Women who eat vegan diets high in dark green leafy vegetables and other iron-rich foods can meet their iron needs during pregnancy without supplementation, right? It seems monitoring iron levels is a safer approach.

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/tduke/ tduke

    please some advice on vegan iron sources- have been anemic since going vegan- I consume lots of dark leafy greens and vitamin C (in combination) and would rather not supplement if possible.

    Thank you! I love this website!

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/drdons/ DrDons

    Anemia (low red blood cell count) has many causes (remember 2.5% of normal patients fall below the reference range and aren’t anemic). If you have iron deficiency anemia your iron level will be low. There are many reasons for having iron deficiency anemia. You need to work with your physician to make sure that the iron deficency anemia is not due to something that needs to be treated. A common cause in otherwise healthy individuals is menstruating women who lose iron each month. A good article listing the sources of iron in plants is “Iron in the Vegan Diet” by Reed Mangels on The Vegetarian Resource Groups website http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm. Spinach, beans and soy beans are good sources. Consuming the Vitamin C can help the absorption. Dr. Greger’s video in Jan 2011….http://nutritionfacts.org/videos/are-iron-pills-good-for-you/ cautions against iron tablets in healthy patients but some patients do need to take supplements. Whole foods are the best way to go if possible. Good luck.

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/tduke/ tduke

    thank you!

  • Wendy

    Is there any research to support a recommended ferritin level for vegan or vegetarian women? I’m still in my child bearing years and while my cholesterol level and blood pressure have improved on 2 years of a plant based diet I’ve had a lot of difficulty with fatigue, particularly as the 2 years have progressed. My labs recently showed that while I don’t have anemia my ferritin level is at 10 ng/ml. B12 levels were also good just taking a high dose supplement once a week. Taking iron supplements makes a huge difference in my energy level, but I’d like to know how long to continue this and what ferritin level to work towards.

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