An argument that non-anemic women should choose plant-based sources of iron, and not supplement during pregnancy.
Iron During Pregnancy
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Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.
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 non-anemic women. Obviously, if you’re iron deficient, no matter who you are, you may need extra iron.
But if your blood count’s okay, is supplemental iron during pregnancy harmful, harmless, or helpful? It’s harmful. “Non-anaemic pregnant women should not take iron supplements.” But why?
Increases the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and maternal high blood pressure. 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 straight through the gut, and inadvertently, we could get too much of it.
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Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.
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 non-anemic women. Obviously, if you’re iron deficient, no matter who you are, you may need extra iron.
But if your blood count’s okay, is supplemental iron during pregnancy harmful, harmless, or helpful? It’s harmful. “Non-anaemic pregnant women should not take iron supplements.” But why?
Increases the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and maternal high blood pressure. 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 straight through the gut, and inadvertently, we could get too much of it.
Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.
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Title
Iron During Pregnancy
LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Content URLDoctor's Note
Check out these videos for more on dietary supplements:
Heavy Metals in Protein Powder Supplements
Some Dietary Supplements May Be More Than a Waste of Money
Risk Associated With Iron Supplements
Dietary Supplement Snake Oil
And check out my other videos on pregnancy.
Also see my associated blog post: How to Enhance Mineral Absorption.
If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my videos for free by clicking here. Read our important information about translations here.
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