An Overview of Lecithin and Breastfeeding
Lecithin in normal amounts found in foods (obtained through a healthy, well-balanced diet) is safe for breastfeeding women and their infants. However, it is not known if lecithin supplements are also safe. Therefore, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before taking lecithin supplements if you are breastfeeding.
Is Lecithin Safe While Breastfeeding?
It is not known if lecithin supplements are safe (or unsafe) for women who are breastfeeding. No studies have evaluated the safety of using lecithin during breastfeeding. Even so, many Web sites recommend using lecithin to treat and prevent clogged milk ducts or mastitis (inflammation or infection of the breast), although there is no real scientific evidence to suggest that this is either safe or effective.
Just because lecithin is a normal component of food does not mean that lecithin supplements are safe for use during breastfeeding. In some cases, a normal intake of some substances through food is perfectly safe, while consumption through
dietary supplements may cause problems. Dietary supplements often provide substances at much higher doses, compared to a normal intake through food.
Sometimes, the preparation process or other factors introduce contaminants or somehow change the components in ways that make the supplement unsafe for breastfeeding women. It simply cannot be assumed that a dietary supplement derived from a food source is safe.
