Page 42 - RPA May 2020

40 VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS
RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2020
FROM PAGE 39
because they remove dairy.”
While Ms Grosse says she prefers the food-first approach, suggesting dairy free alternatives
that are fortified with calcium and vitamin D, for example, or legumes for protein, she adds
that “supplements are useful for people experiencing a deficiency”, or when people
are “unable to meet their recommended dietary intake through food” alone, such
as in various stages of life, including children and women who are pregnant and when breastfeeding.
“For infants and children who are placed on restrictive diets, particularly
vegan diets, it’s important that we’re checking that they have regular follow- up with their doctor so they can monitor the
child’s growth progress, [and] to make sure that any potential nutritional issues are flagged early,” she
said. “[Vitamin] B12 is the key one with the vegan diet, as it’s not readily fortified or available in non-animal food sources
... and it’s essential for healthy blood cells and neurological function. So, vitamin B12 deficiency is one we do need to be more concerned about, because if someone does get damage from that, it’s irreversible neurological damage.”
Ms Grosse adds that, with pregnancy, one of “the main things is that the protein needs to increase in the second and third trimester”. She also says “folate, iodine, iron and calcium” are “key nutrients to consider”
during this time. “Pregnancy is an area where supplements are often indicated because the mum often can’t consume enough for herself and the growing infant.”
Fertility and Prenatal Dietitian Melanie McGrice, from Nutrition Plus Enterprises, agrees.
“It’s recommended that all mothers-to-be take a supplement containing folic acid and iodine (unless they have a contraindication)
during the first trimester of their pregnancy,” she said, adding that vitamin B12 is also required during pregnancy. While B12 can be
sourced from dairy products and eggs (for those who choose to include these foods), “for vegans,” she says, it “must be obtained from two serves of fortified foods per day or a daily supplement
that provides at least 5mcg of B12”.
Ms McGrice echoes Ms Grosse’s advice around vegan or
vegetarian children, saying the key nutrients to consider include calcium, vitamin B12, omega 3, iron, zinc, choline, protein,
vitamin D and iodine.
“Evidence ... suggests that the growth of vegan children
is similar to that of children consuming omnivorous diets,”
Ms McGrice said. “However, it’s essential that key nutrients for
growth are met.
“Protein is essential for growth, so will need to be met by an
adequate intake of [food] alternatives ... Calcium is essential for bone growth ... vitamin B12 is required for cell division. Dairy and eggs are the richest sources of vitamin B12, so if these are excluded, a vitamin B12 supplement will most likely be required.”
“It’s recommended that all mothers-to-be take a
supplement containing folic acid and iodine during
the first trimester of their pregnancy,”
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