Female Reproductive Disorders 213
vegan diet for children as well as pregnant and nursing women.^18 Planck
points out that vegetarian societies always included cheese, butter, and
eggs in their diet—that in fact no vegetarian culture has ever existed
that has excluded products derived from animals for the simple reason
that there is not enough protein or fat in grains and other plants to
supply all the necessary nutrients. No individual could survive into old
age if his or her mother was on a vegan diet during pregnancy and
while breast-feeding and then that individual was kept on a vegan diet
through his or her teenage years.
Only animal protein and fats have all the essential amino acids and
fatty acids. Furthermore, vitamin B 12 is found only in animal foods. A
baby and growing child needs plenty of protein and calcium. Soy, a
food vegans use as a replacement for milk and animal protein, inhibits
the absorption of protein and minerals.Nutritional Supplements During Pregnancy
Besides the right diet, pregnant women should take a prenatal vita-
min that is a whole-food complex. In all prenatal vitamins, the B
vitamin content is too low with the exception of folic acid, so it’s
advisable to take extra B vitamins. Folic acid, the most important B
vitamin, is not easy to absorb. To ensure your body’s abilit y to utilize
this vitamin, which prevents spina bifi da and other birth defects,
take 1 mg of methyl folate, the active form of folic acid. Don’t take a
prenatal vitamin that contains iron, since the liver has no way of
excreting excess iron. Taking iron is also not a good idea because it
destroys vitamin E. An additional supplement containing vitamin E
is necessary since the amount of E in prenatal supplements is not
suffi cient. Also, a woman whose thyroid tests underactive should take
thyroid supplements, preferably a natural thyroid supplement (see
Chapter 5). If progesterone levels are too low—take a saliva test to
determine your progesterone level—a natural progesterone cream
should be used. Avoid caffeine during pregnancy. One to three cups
of coffee a day increases the risk of miscarriages by 30 percent,
according to a study conducted jointly by Sweden and the United
States of 562 women who had miscarriages six to twelve weeks into
pregnancy.^19