Are adaptogens safe while breastfeeding?
I've used adaptogens (aka herbs with anti-stress and anti-aging properties) for more than a year now. I noticed that they give me better quality sleep and overall energy and focus. In addition, they reduce the effects of stress on my body when I'm stressed out (which is pretty much every day! This is particularly true when I'm under time pressure. However, there's a downside, too - an increased need to pee during the day (because of lower blood volume and maybe lowered electrolytes or something) and a bit more fatigue after I come home from work.
After reading on the subject, I've read that in general adaptogens are safe to take while breastfeeding (and even while pregnant). However, adaptogens do have some side effects, like a bit of increased urination, and some research shows that they may decrease breast milk supply. And of course, I'm still breastfeeding my daughter at this time, so we're in a delicate spot - we don't want to jeopardize our supply.
So, should I be concerned about the effects of adaptogens on breastfeeding? How safe are they anyway? There are only two human studies on the subject: A study by Dr. Peter Jones. We've already covered it here. Unfortunately, it's an industry funded study with only one participant, so I can't recommend it.
A more recent study, which I've previously discussed here. The study only looked at the effects of a specific adaptogen - Rhodiola rosea. (The study says Rhodiola can be used safely for stress reduction, but doesn't recommend it for children because it could cause drowsiness).
That said, I've personally had no side effects with the adaptogens I've been using, and I would probably continue using them if I were pregnant and breastfeeding. The fact that an oral administration of the adaptogen was safe has been supported by a study with rhodiola on lactating women. There is a slight decrease in breastmilk production, though the average decrease is only 9.9 ml per 8-hour period. That is about half a cup per hour.
What does ashwagandha do to breasts?
Ashwagandha does what it does and has been around for quite a while.
It's well established that it helps women deal with postpartum depression, for example. It's in more general medicine too - it's used to treat anxiety disorders, hypertension, and even sleep disorders. You can read more about it in the question linked here.
So what does it do for breast enhancement, or augmentation, as we call it? Well, I'll break it down for you, because that's how I roll: Ashwagandha doesn't do any sort of tissue proliferation in the breasts. It does increase blood flow, which is a good thing, but it has no effect on cellular growth. The cells just aren't using as much energy. The only thing it can do is change the hormone balance in the body, which has a nice way of doing that.
Ashwagandha does increase blood flow to the nipples. This is due to it boosting testosterone levels. It increases estrogen, which is the hormone responsible for nipples (as far as I know). The breasts are also very responsive to testosterone. So by increasing testosterone levels you can create a nicer and firmer appearance without causing the breasts to grow.
Ashwagandha does increase breast size by improving blood flow and oxygen supply. It increases lactate which leads to increased cell turnover (ie, cell growth) leading to breast growth. I've been reading stuff about this, and it seems like the effects are pretty short-term though. So it's likely that you would get longer lasting results from an actual breast growth supplement. However, you can still use ashwagandha during the time you want to see results.
Ashwagandha increases testosterone levels. And since testosterone feeds off of estrogen, the effects are cumulative. Meaning, you'll have more success in the long run if you combine ashwagandha with another breast growth supplement with an estrogen boosting component.
As a general supplement, not specifically directed towards breast enlargement. It's been shown that ashwagandha increases testosterone levels, and therefore breast mass/size. Ashwagandha also can increase the effectiveness of other breast augmentation products, as can be shown in scientific studies conducted by the University of Illinois.
Is ashwagandha safe when breastfeeding?
The following is a guest post by S.
K. Reddy, MD, FAAD, of the Dr. Reddy Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine in Hollywood, Florida. Reddy is a board-certified internist and an expert on ayurvedic herbs.
Ashwagandha is a very well known herb, often prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms, but it's also used to help with a number of other conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and anxiety. In fact, it's one of the most popular herbs for reducing stress and for promoting mental health.
However, the herb ashwagandha is considered to be a very safe herb. It's considered to be safe to take even during pregnancy and lactation. There is no evidence of any harm to the baby.
However, it is not recommended that you take ashwagandha while breastfeeding. Ashwagandha can interfere with the absorption of some medications, such as the anticoagulant warfarin. So it's not recommended that you take ashwagandha while breastfeeding.
So it's definitely not safe to take ashwagandha during breastfeeding, and it's certainly not safe to take it when you're pregnant or while you're pregnant. If you do take ashwagandha while breastfeeding, you should definitely discuss it with your doctor first.
Dr. Reddy's tips for a healthy pregnancy and delivery During pregnancy, make sure that you maintain a healthy lifestyle. The same is true during labor and delivery. Here are some tips from Dr. Reddy for you to consider:
Eat plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Pregnancy is a time to eat healthier. You need to increase your intake of iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and calcium. Avoid processed foods and sugar. Increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids.
Avoid caffeine. Caffeine can increase your blood pressure and decrease your blood supply. But it's not recommended to drink coffee, tea, or energy drinks during pregnancy.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can cause headaches, depression, and vomiting.
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