Comments on: Natural Remedies for Pregnancy

By: Filippa

Filippa — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:24:00 +0000

I’m 6 months pregnant with my second child. Your Tiger’s Milk recipe inspired me to include more egg yolks in my diet. Now, I stir an egg yolk through my porridge, into my yoghurt (becomes like yellow custard!), blend it into my nightly milk drink and into my morning smoothie (kefir Tiger’s Milk). I’m having at least 2 raw egg yolks a day. I’m so proud of myself! And everyone tells me I’m looking radiantly healthy! (helped by raw liver most mornings too I might add and have upped the dosage of this lately as well). Thanks!

By: Sarah Luck

Sarah Luck — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:54:58 +0000

Joanne,
I normally reccomend a liquid zinc supplement as they’re usually much better absorbed. There are a couple of companies in Australia that do this.
Yes folate is important, but no more so than any other vitamin and mineral. The studies showing folate prevents spina bifida have been around since the 1970’s but it wasn’t until the mid 80’s that folate was routinely reccomended when health authorities realised how much money they could save if spinal cord defects could be prevented as it requires life long treatment and care. There is a weatlth of research on the importance of all nutrients during pregnancy - but you’re going to have to wait another 10+ years before the medical establishment acknowledges them all. The most recent ‘It’ nutrient for pregnancy is Iodine - but all are important.
Folate or vitamin B9 is needed for healthy cell division but what a lot of medical people fail to realise is that without it’s working buddies including B6 and B12 it doesn’t function very well. All the B complex vitamins including folate are water soluble which means you cannot store them, you have to take in sufficient amounts every single day. Hoever, certain factors can increase your requirements for folate for a long period of time afterwards and these include smoking, alcohol and the contraceptive pill. If you’ve stopped either of those 12 months before wanting to fall pregnant or actually falling pregnant then you must supplement with a good B complex that contains ample amounts of all the B’s including folate (around 600-900mcg which usually means you’ll need to take 2 tablets daily). If you’re getting cracks on your lips, have a shiny and smooth or red tongue you’re probably not getting enough folate. Diarrhoea and digestive disorders can also prevent absorption of folate. Including lots of raw egg yolks in your diet is one of the best ways to ensure plenty of natural folate. It’s unstable to heat so cooking your eggs will destroy a lot of the folate (see my Tiger’s Milk post for an easy, and yummy way to incorporate raw egg yolks into your diet), other good sources are organ meats such as liver and leafy green vegetables.

By: Joanne J

Joanne J — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:34:05 +0000

Is there a particular brand of zinc supplement that you recommend? Or are they all pretty much the same? Also, do you recommend folate supplements? as I didn’t see this mentioned. Thanks.

By: Joanne J

Joanne J — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:12:15 +0000

I loved this article! I’m currently 7wk preg and had made the link between nutritious food and my nausea levels as after a great breakfast it doesn’t kick in unless I’m late having lunch. However if breakfast isn’t so good, neither am I :). I’m also training as a doula and plan to pass this info onto my clients!

Thanks for a great article!!!!

By: Dr. T.w. Motchel

Dr. T.w. Motchel — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:13:36 +0000

One of the leading causes of muscle craps is a magnesium deficiency. I just got done reading a great article on the topic called “Calf Injuries and Magnesium Deficiency,” that I would suggest