We hypothesize , therefore , that zinc homeostatic adjustments during pregnancy and lactation improve zinc utilization sufficiently to provide the increased zinc needs in these stages and , therefore , mitigate immediate detrimental effects due to a low zinc intake .
Zinc plays critical roles during embryogenesis , fetal growth , and milk secretion , which increase the zinc need for pregnancy and lactation .
Increased needs can be met by increasing the dietary zinc intake , along with making homeostatic adjustments in zinc utilization .
Potential homeostatic adjustments include changes in circulating zinc , increased zinc absorption , decreased zinc losses , and changes in whole body zinc kinetics .
Although severe zinc deficiency during pregnancy has devastating effects , systematic review s and meta- analysis of the effect of maternal zinc supplementation on pregnancy outcomes have consistently shown a limited benefit .
The specific questions addressed are the following : How is zinc utilization altered during pregnancy and lactation ?
Are those homeostatic adjustments influenced by maternal zinc status , dietary zinc , or zinc supplementation ?
Zinc supplementation during lactation: effects on maternal status and milk zinc concentrations.
The effects of a zinc supplement on maternal zinc status and milk zinc concentrations through > or = 7 mo of lactation were examined . Seventy-one lactating women received either a daily 15-mg zinc supplement ( ZS , n = 40 ) or placebo ( NZS , n = 31 ) started by 2 wk postpartum in a double-blind , r and omized design . Overall mean zinc intakes were 13.0 + /- 3.4 mg/d for the NZS group and 25.7 + /- 3.9 mg/d ( including supplement ) for the ZS group . Plasma zinc concentrations of the ZS group were significantly higher than those of the NZS group ( P = 0.05 ) . Milk zinc concentrations declined significantly over the course of the study for all subjects but were not affected by zinc supplementation . The mean dietary zinc intake observed in the nonsupplemented group was adequate to maintain normal maternal zinc status and milk zinc concentrations through > or = 7 mo lactation . Similar controlled intervention trials in less well-nourished population s will be required to assess the impact of lower zinc intakes on milk zinc concentrations
We hypothesize , therefore , that zinc homeostatic adjustments during pregnancy and lactation improve zinc utilization sufficiently to provide the increased zinc needs in these stages and , therefore , mitigate immediate detrimental effects due to a low zinc intake .
Zinc plays critical roles during embryogenesis , fetal growth , and milk secretion , which increase the zinc need for pregnancy and lactation .
Increased needs can be met by increasing the dietary zinc intake , along with making homeostatic adjustments in zinc utilization .
Potential homeostatic adjustments include changes in circulating zinc , increased zinc absorption , decreased zinc losses , and changes in whole body zinc kinetics .
Although severe zinc deficiency during pregnancy has devastating effects , systematic review s and meta- analysis of the effect of maternal zinc supplementation on pregnancy outcomes have consistently shown a limited benefit .
The specific questions addressed are the following : How is zinc utilization altered during pregnancy and lactation ?
Are those homeostatic adjustments influenced by maternal zinc status , dietary zinc , or zinc supplementation ?