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, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in milk from American and Egyptian women throughout the first 6 months of lactation.
Effects of stage of lactation , nutrient intake , and cultural differences on the composition of human milk were examined during the first 6 mo of lactation in American and Egyptian women . In both population groups zinc levels in milk decreased from 1 to 6 months of lactation . American women supplemented with Zn had higher levels of Zn in their milk than did unsupplemented American or Egyptian women . Concentrations of calcium and magnesium were not significantly different in milk of American and Egyptian women except at month 6 of lactation . Ca levels in milk of both population groups increased from 1 to 2 - 3 mo of lactation and then decreased at 6 mo ; Mg concentrations increased from 1 to 3 mo and then reached a plateau . Similarities in the longitudinal decrease observed in Zn levels of milk in Zn supplemented and unsupplemented subjects suggested physiological regulation
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 ?