Page 83 - Special Issue: Healthy Baby

discovered that marginal biotin deficiency during 60 percent, and poaching only destroys 29 percent. Raw egg whites, then,
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this critical period is the norm. should be strictly avoided, and cooked egg whites should be consumed in
Several years ago investigators tracked moderation—and never without the yolk. The addition of pure egg yolks
the biotin status of thirteen pregnant women to smoothies and ice cream will help boost biotin status.
through the course of their pregnancies, mea-

suring a marker of deficiency in their urine. The FOLATE
deficiency marker increased during both early Folate is probably the vitamin whose essential role in pregnancy is most
and late pregnancy in all thirteen women; in widely known. It is necessary for the production of new DNA, and new
nine, it increased above the upper limit. These DNA is needed for new cells. The growing life within the womb engages in
women, however, had none of the traditional constant cell division, and the mother must expand her blood supply with
symptoms of deficiency such as skin problems the production of new red blood cells as well—these activities demand a
or depression. 47 generous supply of folate. 50
In pregnant rats, a five percent egg white Adequate folate intake prevents neural tube defects (defects of the
diet produced a marginal biotin deficiency. The brain and spinal cord) and increases birth weight. It may also prevent
activity of biotin-dependent enzymes declined 10 spontaneous abortion, mental retardation and deformations of the mouth,
percent in the mother. Yet in the fetus, the activity face and heart. 50
of these enzymes decreased a full 50 percent. The pregnancy RDA for folate is 600 micrograms (mcg) per day. This
Although the mother had no obvious symptoms figure is based on the amount needed to prevent the folate concentration
herself, her offspring suffered an increased risk of the mother’s red blood cells from dropping during pregnancy and on
of limb and palate defects. These effects were urinary markers indicating the amount of folate being used. It assumes
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all reversed when biotin was added to the diet in that only half of the vitamin is absorbed from food, although this figure
addition to egg whites. 47 is just an average; the rate of folate absorption is dependent on zinc
Whether marginal biotin deficiency causes status.
birth defects in humans is an open question, Synthetic “folic acid” is a chemical that is not normally found in foods
but the results of the rat studies merit attention or the human body. It can be converted into usable forms of folate, but this
to increasing one’s intake during pregnancy. conversion is limited to about 200 mcg per single dose in healthy volun-
Most foods contain some of this vitamin, but teers; it may be even more limited during long-term exposure or in certain
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it is primarily found in liver and egg yolks (see people. Synthetic “folic acid” does not cross the placenta; folate crosses the

Figure 4). 48 placenta as the naturally-occurring 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate. Since the
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Egg whites contain a glycoprotein called synthetic supplements do prevent neural tube defects, pregnant women should
avidin that strongly binds to biotin and prevents use them if they are not going to eat folate-rich diets; whenever possible,
its absorption. Cooking neutralizes avidin, but not however, it is best to meet the folate requirement from foods. Folate-rich
completely. Frying destroys 67 percent, boiling foods include liver, legumes and greens (see Figure 5 and Figure 7).
the egg white directly for two minutes destroys

FIGURE 6. MEETING THE DAILY CHOLINE REQUIREMENT
FIGURE 5. MEETING THE DAILY
FOLATE REQUIREMENT The RDA for choline during pregnancy can be met by one of any of
the following:
The folate requirement for pregnancy can • 2.5 8-ounce glasses high-quality Maasai milk*
be met by one of any of the following
(volume after cooking): • 3.5 egg yolks
• 3.8 ounces beef liver
• Chicken liver 3.7 ounces • 5.5 ounces chicken liver
• Calf’s liver 2.8 - 6.4 ounces • 10.6 ounces wheat germ
• Beef liver 8.2 ounces • 13 ounces bacon
• Lentils 1.7 cups • 1.25 pounds beef
• Other legumes 2.0-3.0 cups • 1.4 pounds cod, salmon or shrimp
• Spinach 2.3 cups • 1.5 pounds chicken
• Asparagus 2.3 cups • 2.2 pounds crucifers, nuts or legumes
• Beets 4.4 cups * This figure assumes that Maasai milk during the wet season is five times
• Most greens 3.0-6.0 cups higher in choline than commercial American milk, as discussed on page 76.

Wise Traditions 81