The effects of self-supplementation on nutrient intakes of postpartum women

• Published in: Nutrition reports international (USA) Vol. 33; no. 6
• Main Authors: Martin, B.A, Worthington-Roberts, B.S, Little, R.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.1986
• Subjects: ABSORCION DE SUBSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS; ABSORPTION DE SUBSTANCES NUTRITIVES; BESOIN NUTRITIONNEL; LACTACION; LACTATION; NECESIDADES DE NUTRIENTES; NUTRI; ONADDITIF; r)ADITIVOS
• ISSN: 0029-6635

Extract: The influence of nutritional supplements on total nutrient intake was studied in 119 lactators and 87 nonlactators at one month postpartum. All subjects were members of Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, a health maintenance organization with a total enrollment of about 10% of the metropolitan Seattle population. Personal interviews of subjects indicated that 96.6% of the lactators and 73.3% of the nonlactators used nutritional supplements ranging from one to nine different kinds per day. Use of more than 100 different commercial products was reported. Nearly 1/4 of the subjects consumed megadose levels of 10-80 times the appropriate RDA values for age and lactation status. Mean supplement intakes were significantly different between lactators and nonlactators for all vitamins and minerals except zinc which was used by a minimal number of subjects (8.8%). Mean daily "doses" of the subjects using supplements reached more than 500% of the RDA for vitamins E, C, B1, B6, B12, and iron in nonlactators and for B6 in lactators. Even still, daily intake of magnesium and zinc (including supplements) remained low in a substantial propo1510rtion of the population; 35% of all subjects consumed less than 2/3 of the RDA for magnesium while 87% consumed less than 2/3 the RDA for zinc. The results of this study have implications for education and counseling about the need for and selection of supplements during the postpartum period.(aut