Is it true that vegan women’s breast milk is worse?

If it is often said that we are all that we eat, then infants will be all the more so. After all, the only thing they drink in the first months of life is breast milk or formula. Therefore, there is an opinion that breast milk belonging vegan women may be worse for babies as two of the most important nutrients it provides are vitamin B12 and carnitinemuch more in animal products.

Because both are essential nutrients for infant developmentNot surprisingly, it was originally thought that the breast milk of vegan mothers might be worse. After all, lactating women are even often advised to eat more animal products to enrich milk.

But the truth is, apart from the importance of vitamin B12 and carnitine for children, this has yet to be researched. That is, there have been no studies that have analyzed the levels of these two nutrients in the breast milk of vegan women. For this reason, a group of scientists from Amsterdam University I decided to do the necessary analysis and answer the question once and for all.

We are what we eat, especially children

Just like we are what we eat, it is also often said that the body is wise. This applies to many issues, including composition of breast milk. And it’s that it’s not the same for as long as breastfeeding lasts. It has been observed that its composition changes as certain nutrients become more necessary for the development of the child. But also as the mother diversifies the diet.

In the case of vitamin B12 and carnitine, both are very important from the start. The former is necessary because it interferes with many of the biological pathways of the early stages of infant development. In fact, it has been observed that newborns deficient in this vitamin end up with anemia and neurological problems.

As for carnitine, it plays an essential role in energy metabolism, helps to regulate blood sugar and it is necessary for proper functioning of the heart and brain. It is clear that breast milk should have a good contribution of both nutrients. However, vitamin B12 is most abundant in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, and carnitine is found in almost the same products, although in whole grain bread.

The good news is that fortified foods exist for both, and that vegans supplemented with vitamin B12so it should be well covered. And, within reason, carnitine can be obtained from other sources. So what about breast milk?

Vegan breast milk is just as good.

The study analyzed levels of carnitine and vitamin B12 in both blood and breast milk. vegan and omnivorous women. The results were very interesting, as it was seen that although blood level they were much lower in vegan women, there was almost no difference in breast milk.

Therefore, there is no problem for vegan women to breastfeed their children. They will supply them with the necessary nutrients for their development, since the belief that they can be deficient in vitamin B12 and carnitine seems to be a myth. It is important to do research before making claims. But seriously investigate, not in the conspiracy sense of the word.