Vitamin C While Breastfeeding: Sources, Benefits And Effects Of Excessive Consumption

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Many obstetricians advise that mothers eat foods high in vitamin C while breastfeeding.Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin mostly found in fruits and vegetables．这是一个至关重要的抗氧化剂,典型的是ient in human milk. It also protects and maintains the health of the body’s cells, assists in wound healing, and improves iron absorption.

因为我们的身体不能产生这种维生素,这年代hould be supplemented through our diet. The recommended daily intake of vitamin C for a lactating woman is 120mg, and it is important to ensure that her dietary intake includes this amount. A mother who is healthy and eats a balanced diet would have sufficient amounts of vitamin C in her breast milk(1)

Read this post to learn more about vitamin C and breastfeeding, including the effects of vitamin C on breastmilk and how you can maintain the vitamin C level in your breastmilk.

Benefits Of Vitamin C During Breastfeeding

Vitamin C is an essentialmicronutrientⁱXVitamins and minerals, required in small amounts, that are not produced by the body and need to be taken from different sourcesthat plays a vital role in providing nutrition and supporting the proper functioning of the body.Here are some possible benefits of taking vitamin C during breastfeeding.

1. Vitamin C is a cofactor for many enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of collagen,carnitineⁱXA chemical cofactor produced in the kidneys and liver that helps metabolize fat to produce energy, andneurotransmittersⁱXChemical messengers in the brain that send signals throughout the body to carry out different functions．Hence, it aids in thegrowth of bones and teeth(2)．
   

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2. It stimulates collagen production, the main protein found in the blood vessels, cartilage, tendons, ligaments. etc.(3)．
3. Ascorbic acid helps the bodyabsorb iron from the gastrointestinal tract．
4. As it has antioxidant properties, itreduces the number of free radicalsin the body, thus reducingcancer risk．
5. Vitamin C also helps infaster wound healingand quicker restoration of the tissues.
6. It gives yourimmune systema boostand helps you and your baby fight off infections(4)．
7. Mastitis is a condition also known as inflammation of the breast which affects 3-20% of breastfeeding mothers, most commonly during the first 6 weeks postpartum (although it can occur at any time during lactation). Studies have found that the incidence of mastitis was found to be higher in mothers who were deficient in vitamin C(5)．Taking vitamin C supplements mayhelp prevent mastitis．
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8. Studies have proven that a maternal diet rich in natural sources of vitamin C during breastfeeding could reduce the risk ofatopic diseasessuch aseczemaⁱXNon-contagious skin condition resulting in inflamed, dry, and scratchy skin due to specific foods or medicines, asthma, andallergies in infants(6)．

Dosage And Dietary Sources Of Vitamin C

If you are a nursing mother, you may need to check your vitamin C levels and make sure they are at the recommended levels. For mothers 18 years or younger, the recommended amount is 115mg/day, and for mothers above 18 years, it is 120mg/day(2)．

Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamin C. Some of the foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, broccoli, cantaloupe, potato, bell pepper,tomato, kiwi, cauliflower,cabbage, strawberry, and Brussels sprouts(7)．

Signs Of Vitamin C Deficiency

The following are the most common signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency(8)．

• Scurvy

This is characterized by the loss ofcollagenⁱXA structural protein of the body that helps build the connective tissue, skin, bones, and tendons and provides flexibilityand weakening of connective tissues and could lead to

• Spots on the skin due to bleeding and bruising of blood vessels.
• Bleeding and swelling of the gums and potential loss of teeth.
• Hair loss．
• Delayed wound healing
• Fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell
• Anemia

Can You Take Vitamin Supplements While Breastfeeding?

The average milk vitamin C concentration is 50-90 mg/L in a well-nourished mother consuming adequate vitamin C in their diet．However, mothers who smoke have lower milk vitamin C levels(1)．If you are breastfeeding and diagnosed with low vitamin C levels, consult your doctor for some supplements.

According to a study of mothers who were administered high doses of vitamin C between 250-1,000mg/L daily, the average milk concentration was 100-120mg/L after two days of supplementation. Even when one mother took doses as high as 4,000mg/L vitamin C per day, the breast milk concentration of vitamin C was well below the levels known to cause harm(9)．Therefore it is best to consult your doctor for the recommended supplemental dosage.

Side Effects Of Excessive Vitamin C

Taking higher concentrations of vitamin C supplements than those recommended by your doctor may have the below side effects．

• Tissue damage
• Kidney stones
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

• Vomiting
• Heartburn(7)

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