High Zinc Regimen While Pregnant
QUESTION:
Dear Livitician,
I have a zinc deficiency that causes painful canker sores in my mouth. I have been on a physician prescribed high zinc regimen for about 2 years.
Now that I am pregnant is it sill ok to take a high level of zinc. Is there any point at which it would be considered "too much"?
ANSWER
Hi. You may definitely continue to take zinc, but overconsumption is dangerous and can lead to premature labor or stillbirth.
Take maximum: 20 mg of zinc, including the quantity of zinc that you are taking from your prenatal supplement. So if your prenatal has 15 mg for example, please do not take more than the additional 5 mg. Zinc can interfere with the absorption of Calcium, so take your Calcium supplement separate. Take your zinc and prenatal supplements with food to decrease gastric irritation.
Focus on eating foods with zinc to get the extra zinc that you need, for example, rich sources of zinc, include: egg yolks, fish, milk, molasses (black-strap), sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, turkey, wheat bran, wheat germ, and whole-grain products.
Have a healthy pregnancy!!
Enjoy Liviting!
--Deborah A. Klein, MS, RD
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Deborah Klein
Deborah A. Klein is the world's first Livitician®, a term she coined as an alternative to Dietician. Her mission is to educate others on achieving optimal wellness through balanced eating, intrinsic coaching and exercise.
She completed her Master's of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition with an emphasis in sports nutrition. Past career experiences include hosting a TV show, teaching "5 A Day -- For Better Health" and working for CNN, Food & Health News. Recently, she was named "Young Dietitian of the Year," by the American Dietetics Association and served as President of the Los Angeles Dietetics Association.
Currently, Deborah has a private practice where she specializes in weight loss, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, disease prevention, and long-term wellness. She has her first book coming out in January, "200 Superfoods That Will Save Your Life", published by McGraw-Hill that details her "Livit" philosophy to achieve one's wellness goals. Through education and discovering each individual's full potential, Deborah offers her clients "A Plan to LIVE for!"
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