The Benefits of Vegan Postnatal Vitamins

It’s no secret that the key to a healthy vegan life is supplementation. We can get all kinds of nutrients from the foods we eat, but vegan supplements can help make up for the nutritional gaps that occur when we cut out animal products. When it comes to life after pregnancy, a high-quality vegan postnatal vitamin not only provides key nutrients that new moms struggle to get, but also can assist with things like supporting milk supply, energy levels, and recovery following childbirth. 

Vitamins Included in the Postnatal Focus Bundle

The Postnatal Focus Bundle from Vegan Life Nutrition has over 20 vitamins and minerals curated specifically for postnatal mothers. 

• Vitamin A (beta carotene)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
• Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)
• Vitamin K (menaquinone K2-MK7)
• Thiamin (thiamin mononitrate)
• Riboflavin (riboflavin sodium phosphate)
• Niacin (niacinamide)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate)
• Folate 
• Vitamin B12 (methlycobalamin)
• Biotin (d-biotin)
•  Pantothenic Acid (d-calcium panthothenate)
• Calcium (calcium carbonate, plant-derived)
• Iron (ferrous bisglycinate chelate)
• Iodine (kelp, laminaria digitata)
• Magnesium (magnesium chelate)
• Zinc (zinc bisglycinate chelate)
• Selenium (selenium glycinate)
• Copper (copper bisglycinate chelate)
• Manganese (manganese bisglycinate chelate)
• Chromium (chromium nicotinate glycinate chelate)
• Molybdenum (molybdenum glycinate chelate)
  

The bundle also comes with additional servings of Vitamin D, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Folate. A special addition just for our vegan postnatal vitamin is 475mg of Choline. 

You can learn more about our Postnatal Focus Bundle here. 

Postnatal Vitamins Support Both Mom and Baby*

There are several ways that our postnatal supplement supports both mom and baby. Along with aiding in the maintenance of healthy digestion, the supplement also works to promote healthy red blood cell development.

It’s typically recommended that mothers should take postnatal vitamins for at least 6 months postpartum, but we always recommend that you speak directly with your doctor before taking supplements of any kind during and after pregnancy. Discover more about the important timeline for postnatal vitamins in this blog.

Vegan Life Nutrition

Learn more about our Postnatal Focus Bundle and our Prenatal Focus Bundle of the Vegan Life Nutrition website. You can also shop our full line of vegan supplements here. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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For this reason, we at Vegan Life Nutrition, recommend supplementing those vital vitamins and minerals to support the mom’s health as well as fetal and newborn development throughout pregnancy and postpartum. 

Is it Safe to be Vegan While Pregnant?

The short answer to this question is: yes, vegan women have perfectly healthy pregnancies all the time. That being said, a typical vegan diet makes it more difficult to get the recommended daily value (RDV) of essential vitamins to support healthy pregnancy and postpartum nutrient intake. 

When you’re pregnant, your nutrients are depleted very quickly because you’re providing for your growing baby. The mother’s body will focus first on sending nutrients to the growing fetus before nurturing itself. Because of this, there is a heavy emphasis on tracking vitamin and mineral intake while pregnant, especially for vegan moms-to-be.

This can be exceptionally difficult for vegan moms, as many of the essential nutrients for prenatal and postnatal health are most commonly found in animal products like meat and dairy. 

Vitamins You Need When You’re Vegan and Pregnant 

There are several vitamins and minerals that women should be tracking while pregnant, including:

H3: Iron

According to Modern Fertility, the non-heme iron that comes from plant-based sources is 50% as effective as iron that comes from animal sources. This means that vegans roughly need to consume twice as much iron as non-vegans to achieve the same benefits. 

During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by 50% on average to support the transfer of oxygen and nutrients across the placenta. It can be difficult to support this increase in blood volume just by eating iron-rich foods, especially for vegan women. This is why we recommend prenatal supplements with iron to make sure moms-to-be get their RDV. 

Zinc

Zinc plays an integral role in pregnancy as it aids in things like:

• Mom’s Estrogen and Progesterone Production
• Baby’s DNA Synthesis and Cell Division
• Formation of Baby’s Senses like Taste, Touch, and Smell

Unfortunately, zinc has limited bioavailability, meaning that, when ingested, only a small portion of the zinc is absorbed into the bloodstream, leaving the rest to flush itself out. This is particularly true of plant-based zinc sources, meaning that vegan women need to ingest more zinc than non-vegans during pregnancy. 

Choline

Choline is a Vitamin B-like nutrient that is essential for fetal neurological and nervous system development. Choline is found most prominently in eggs and liver, so supplementation from a vegan source is necessary to ensure vegan moms are getting the adequate amount beyond their diet.

Vitamin B12

Getting a daily dose of B12 is not a concern for most omnivorous eaters, since animal products are typically rich in the vitamin. However, deficiency is a significant concern among vegans. 

A Vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy can lead to weakness, fainting, nausea and even birth defects. Because of this, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all vegans take B12 supplements during pregnancy to achieve the recommended intake of at least 2.6 mcg per day. 

Vitamin D 

Deficiencies in Vitamin D are not unique to vegans. Most people, especially those living in the Northern Hemisphere, don’t get enough Vitamin D from their diet and sunlight exposure. Without sufficient Vitamin D during pregnancy, things like the development of bones, immune system support, and even blood sugar regulation could be compromised. 

A well-rounded vegan prenatal and postnatal supplement that includes these nutrients and more is typically recommended to support the health of mother and baby. It is always important to consult with an OB/GYN first before taking any supplements while trying to conceive, pregnant, and breastfeeding.

Vegan Life Nutrition has developed comprehensive Prenatal and Postnatal Supplement Bundles to take the guesswork out of taking your vitamins while you’re vegan and pregnant. 

Prenatal and Postnatal Vitamins from Vegan Life Nutrition

This month, Vegan Life Nutrition is releasing the Prenatal Focus Bundle and the Postnatal Focus Bundle to provide 20+ essential vitamins and minerals for before, during, and after pregnancy, including: 

• Vitamin A (beta carotene)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
• Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol)
• Vitamin K (menaquinone K2-MK7) 
• Thiamin (thiamin mononitrate) 
• Riboflavin (riboflavin sodium phosphate) 
• Niacin (niacinamide)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate)
• Folate ((6s)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, glucosamine salt) 
• Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin)
• Biotin (d-biotin)
• Pantothenic Acid (d-calcium pantothenate)
• Calcium (calcium carbonate, plant-derived)
• Iron (ferrous bisglycinate chelate)
• Iodine (kelp, laminaria digitata)
• Magnesium (magnesium chelate)
• Zinc (zinc bisglycinate chelate)
• Selenium (selenium glycinate)
• Copper (copper bisglycinate chelate) Manganese (manganese bisglycinatechelate)
• Chromium (chromium nicotinate glycinate chelate) 
• Molybdenum (molybdenum glycinate chelate)
• Choline

The Prenatal Focus Bundle and Postnatal Focus Bundle are 100% vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, cruelty-free, and free of artificial colors. To learn more about our new Bundles, check out this blog. 

Here at Vegan Life Nutrition, we are dedicated to providing a complete line of  nutritional supplements for everyone – including vegan moms. Discover our complete line of clean, high quality, plant-based products.

The post Vegan and Pregnant: What Vitamins Should I Take? appeared first on Vegan Life Nutrition.

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 3 Health Tips During Vegan Pregnancy

1. Eat Plenty of Iron-Rich Foods

One of the keys to a healthy vegan pregnancy is to increase your iron intake. Iron is essential for hemoglobin production. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, “during pregnancy, the volume of blood in your body increases, and so does the amount of iron you need. Your body uses iron to make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby. If you don’t have enough iron stores or get enough iron during pregnancy, you could develop iron deficiency anemia.” 

One great way to ensure that you are getting enough iron is to adapt your diet to include more iron-rich foods like:

• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Beans
• Tofu
• Chia seeds
• Pumpkin seeds 
• Dried apricots
• Kale

If you struggle to incorporate more foods like this into your diet, an iron supplement might be the answer. Vegan Life Nutrition is soon launching a new line of Prenatal and Postnatal Focus Bundles that include Iron, among many other essential nutrients that your body needs during the course of a vegan pregnancy. 

2. Maintain a Regular Exercise Routine

Regular exercise is ideal for anyone looking to live a healthy lifestyle, but during pregnancy, it’s arguably even more important to maintain a regular routine. Light exercise can support your body during all of the changes it will experience throughout the pregnancy. 

Benefits of Exercise 

• May help to reduce back pain
• Promotes healthy weight gain during pregnancy
• Supports heart health and blood vessel strength

Precautions to Take from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

• Don’t forget to drink water before, during, and after exercise to avoid dehydration. Look out for the signs of dehydration: dizziness, racing heart, dark yellow urine. 
• Wearing supportive active gear like a sports bra and belly support tape or belt can help reduce discomfort while working out. 
• Overheating can be especially dangerous for your body during pregnancy. Try wearing breathable clothing and avoid exercising outside during the hot and humid months. 
• Standing still and lying flat on your back may cause blood pressure issues. Keep moving and make sure you have proper back support while lying down. 

Of course, you should first discuss your exercise routine with your OBGYN to determine any other potential health risks. Every pregnancy is different and you need to be sure you’re doing what’s best for you and your baby individually. 

3. Take Prenatal and Postnatal Supplements from Vegan Life Nutrition

Taking both a prenatal and postnatal supplement is crucial to the health of mom and baby as a mother’s body depletes its own resources to support the growth of the child, during both fetal development and breastfeeding.

Vegan Life Nutrition’s Prenatal Focus Bundle and Postnatal Focus Bundle (COMING SOON) contains over 20 of the essential vitamins and nutrients mothers need to support a vegan pregnancy. These supplements are Certified Gluten-Free, 100% vegan, Non-GMO, and free of artificial flavoring. 

Look out for the Prenatal Focus Bundle and Postnatal Focus Bundle, due September 2022!

Vegan Life Nutrition

Vegan Life Nutrition offers a complete line of nutritional products for vegans and non-vegans alike, using nothing but the cleanest, highest quality plant-based ingredients to support your healthy lifestyle. Shop our complete line of products here.

The post Vegan Pregnancy: Three Health Tips appeared first on Vegan Life Nutrition.

how long should vegans take postnatal vitamins?

Why Supplements Are Important for Postpartum Care

After pregnancy and during breastfeeding, your body is depleted of some of the most essential vitamins and minerals as you give those nutrients and energy to your new baby.

According to The Natalist, “postnatal vitamins can be a great fix for meeting increased demand and can provide benefits such as increased milk supply, enhanced energy, and better mood stabilization.” 

With a well-structured vegan postnatal supplement, you can replenish dozens of nutrients in one easy step. There are some very important vitamins and minerals that need to be present in a postnatal supplement to best support your health as well as the health of your baby if you are breastfeeding. 

Essential Vitamins and Minerals In Postnatal Supplements

When searching for a vegan postnatal vitamin, you need to be on the lookout for certain ingredients. Keep in mind that moms who breastfeed can see some benefits in these vitamins for their babies as well. 

Vitamin D

While we do produce Vitamin D naturally when we are exposed to sunlight, it’s important to supplement Vitamin D, especially in the first several months postpartum. Babies aren’t quite ready for sunbathing in the early months of life, so taking a Vitamin D supplement can also help breastfeeding moms supply Vitamin D to their babies. 

Thiamine

Thiamine is a vitamin that enables you to convert carbohydrates into energy, and, at the same time, supports your nervous system, muscles, and healthy heart function. Thiamine is also helpful for newborn brain development.

Niacin

Niacin plays an important role in postnatal restoration. According to Healthine, “as with all B vitamins, niacin helps convert food into energy by aiding enzymes. Specifically, niacin is a major component of NAD and NADP, two coenzymes involved in cellular metabolism. Furthermore, it plays a role in cell signaling and making and repairing DNA, in addition to acting as an antioxidant.”

Folate

Folate is vital in postnatal care. It can aid in cell renewal, supporting a healthy heart, and red blood cell development. 

Choline

Choline is a nutrient that assists in the upkeep and maintenance of the nervous system.  

How Long Should Vegans Take Postnatal Vitamins?

There is a lot of information out there about how long vegans should take postnatal vitamins. The general rule of thumb is about six months postpartum. However, if you are breastfeeding, some doctors recommend that you should continue to take supplements until you stop breastfeeding for your own nutrient intake as well as the nutrients you are supplying to your child through your milk.

Vegan, Gluten-Free Postnatal Supplements from Vegan Life Nutrition 

Vegan Life Nutrition is releasing a NEW Postnatal Supplement Bundle this September that contains all the vitamins and minerals listed above, as well as dozens more! These bundles will be 100% vegan, non-GMO, certified gluten-free, cruelty-free, and contain no artificial colors. 

Discover more about our Postnatal Vitamins.

Vegan Life Nutrition

Vegan Life Nutrition offers a complete line of nutritional products for vegans and non-vegans alike, using nothing but the cleanest, highest quality plant-based ingredients to support your healthy lifestyle. Shop our complete line of products here.

The post How Long Should Vegans Take Postnatal Vitamins? appeared first on Vegan Life Nutrition.