NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS OF LACTATING WOMEN CONSUMING VEGETARIAN DIETS

Nutritional inadequacies during lactation may affect the well-being of the mother, infant, or both. Vitamin D and calcium status in vegetari an women may be low, resulting in maternal bone demineralization. Vita min B-12 deficiency resulting in neurologic damage has been reported i n infants of vegetarian women. A review of several studies completed o n women in the northeastern United States who were consuming a macrobi otic diet is presented. Supplemental vitamin D does not appear to be n ecessary given sufficient sun exposure. Calcium intake in vegetarian m others was low and differences in calcium-regulating hormones were app arent. However, it is not clear whether these hormonal changes resulte d in adequate adaptation and prevented bone demineralization. The low calcium intake in the vegetarian women did not result in lower milk ca lcium concentrations. Elevated methylmalonic acid excretion, which is often seen in vitamin B-12 deficiency, was noted in the vegetarian mot hers and their infants. Infants with high methylmalonic acid excretion were consuming milk low in vitamin B-12.