Minerals whose requirements are increased during lactation (breastfeeding phase) include, in particular, calcium and magnesium. Intake values for the daily requirement of breastfeeding women (based on the DGE):
| Minerals | Dosage |
| Calcium | 1,000 mg |
| Chloride | 2,300 mg |
| Potassium | 4,000 mg |
| Magnesium | 390 mg |
| Sodium | 1,500 mg* |
* 2-3 grams in the form of table saltDGE: German Society for Nutrition e. V.
Calcium
In particular, the mother’s calcium requirement is increased during lactation because of the increased mobilization from the skeleton for breast milk production. The mineral is extremely important for the infant because of the pronounced skeletal growth. During breastfeeding, the mother loses about 230 milligrams of calcium per day with 750 milliliters of milk, which benefits the infant. The infant’s supply is thus independent of the mother’s current diet and is maintained at the expense of the mother’s depots. According to studies, young breastfeeding women show a decrease in bone density of 5-7% in the area of the spine as well as the hip within six months. Due to the increased calcium losses, the nursing mother should ensure a daily intake of about 1.3 grams of calcium to maintain the calcium reserves in the bones. This increased requirement can only be met by supplementation or with foods that have a high calcium content. Drinking milk and dairy products are the most important sources of calcium – half a liter of milk contains about 600 milligrams of the mineral. Compared to cow’s milk, human milk provides only a quarter of the amount of calcium. Foods and substances that inhibit calcium absorption are phosphates, chocolate, cocoa, nut nougat cream, tannic acid in coffee and black tea, alcohol, fat and phytic acid in cereals. Such substances and foods should always be considered in the diet during lactation. After the end of lactation, the mother’s skeletal depot is rapidly rebuilt. The infant can absorb the mineral best through the mother’s milk. Newborns are therefore optimally supplied with calcium in their mother’s milk, as their daily requirement is between 200 and 400 milligrams per day. Due to calcium mobilization from the bones, deficiencies can quickly develop in the mother’s body if calcium intake is marginal at the same time. The risk of osteoporosis increases In particular, women with lactose intolerance have an increased need for calcium. Affected individuals are unable to break down lactose due to low concentrations of the enzyme lactase. Common symptoms include flatulence, diarrhea and cramp-like symptoms. For dietary treatment, lactose in particular must be avoided. Since lactose is found exclusively in milk and milk products, complete avoidance can lead to calcium deficiencies and eventually calcium deficiency symptoms. Lactose promotes the absorption of minerals and protein in the intestine. In addition, lactose improves the absorption and utilization of animal as well as plant protein. Breastfeeding women with lactose intolerance must therefore ensure that they meet their increased needs with other calcium-rich foods so as not to jeopardize their bone health – intake of certain types of cheese or appropriately treated milk. In such a case, calcium supplementation is beneficial. If newborns cannot be breastfed, deficiencies may occur due to insufficient amounts of calcium in the ready-milk food. As a result, the infant’s bone density decreases [9.4]. To prevent this, infants who cannot be fed with breast milk should be given at least 200 milligrams of calcium daily. If women during lactation have low vitamin D levels in addition to low calcium concentrations, this can lead to bone softening and bone deformities in the mother (osteomalacia). In the child, calcium and vitamin D deficiencies can lead to hyperparathyroidism – enlarged parathyroid tissue – and increased production of parathyroid hormones (hyperparathyroidism). The excess of parathyroid hormones in turn increases the calcium level in the child’s blood.In the worst case hyperparathyroidism of the child results in hypercalcemic coma [2.2]. In order to prevent such symptoms, it makes sense to carry out vitamin D substitution in the mother in addition to the administration of calcium preparations [5.2]. A high intake of vitamin D is extremely important for both mother and child, as an adequate vitamin D level promotes calcium absorption and the release of calcium from the skeleton. In addition, vitamin D decreases calcium excretion by the kidneys. Function of calcium
- Bone structure as well as strength and teeth
- Affects nervous excitation formation as well as nerve conduction velocity.
- Control of conduction in nerves and muscles.
- Stimulation of the contraction of muscle cells
- Involved in fluid transport across cell membranes
- Ensuring cell metabolism, cell division and stabilization of cell membranes.
- Release of hormones and neurotransmitters.
- Activation factor in blood clotting
Sources: Calcium-rich foods include milk and dairy products – half a liter of milk contains about 600 mg of calcium – salmon, sardines, sesame seeds, soybeans, legumes, nuts, whole grains, wheat germ, oatmeal, green vegetables and parsley.
Most plant foods are low in calcium. In addition, the bioavailability of calcium from plant foods is often inhibited by their high levels of phytate, oxalate, and dietary fiber Since magnesium is responsible for neuromuscular excitation conduction and transmission in addition to calcium, the two minerals interact closely. In the case of magnesium deficiency, the calcium level in the blood is reduced. Therefore, it is important to always substitute calcium together with magnesium in a 3:1 ratio. Excessive calcium intake, on the other hand, can interfere with the absorption of iron, zinc, and other essential vital substances and further lead to increased magnesium and calcium excretion (hypercalciuria) in the urine and impair renal function.
Magnesium
Breast milk contains about 33-40 milligrams of magnesium per liter. Thus, the mother loses up to 60 milligrams of the mineral daily during the breastfeeding period. To compensate for the loss, breastfeeding women should take magnesium supplements in addition to a varied diet. A daily intake of 375 milligrams of magnesium is recommended. Since the infant’s intestinal magnesium uptake is higher with breast milk nutrition than from industrially produced milk formula, newborns should be breastfed if possible. Mature infants are adequately supplied with a daily magnesium intake of 29 milligrams when drinking 750 grams. Due to the poorer bioavailability of magnesium from ready-milk foods, non-breastfed infants have a correspondingly higher requirement – 75-100 milligrams of magnesium daily. Infants who weigh less than 3,500 grams after birth also need more magnesium than breast milk provides. They need to be substituted with about 75-100 milligrams of magnesium daily. Function of magnesium
Energy production and supply
- As an enzyme activator, magnesium plays an important role in all ATP-dependent reactions.
- Oxidative degradation of energy-providing carbohydrates, proteins, fats and glucose.
Neuromuscular excitation conduction and transmission.
- Decrease in the excitability of muscles and nerves.
- Affects nerve excitation as well as nerve conduction velocity.
- Acts closely with calcium
- Important component of the skeletal system – building bones and teeth.
- Important for osseous and muscular function
- Acts to lower blood pressure by magnesium dilates the coronary and peripheral arteries
- Ensures biosynthesis of DNA and RNA, protein biosynthesis (new protein formation), lipolysis, energy-dependent membrane transport and glucose degradation.
- Decreases clotting ability of the blood
- Lowers serum cholesterol levels
Sources: Magnesium is found in whole seeds, nuts, milk, potatoes, vegetables, soft fruits, bananas, tea and unground cerealsTable on the need for minerals
| Vital substance (micronutrient) | Deficiency symptoms – effects on the mother | Deficiency symptoms – effects on the infant |
| Calcium | Demineralization of the skeletal system increases the risk of
Increased risk of
|
Additional vitamin D deficiency leads to
|
| Magnesium | Increased excitability of muscles and nerves leads to
Increased risk of
|
|
