Protein and Brain Damage

[johnnysock]

My wife went to a breast feeeding class last week and the nurse that was teaching told them that too much protein can cause brain damage. I have tried to do some research on the internet, but haven't come up with anything. My wife wants me to stop doing low carb, but I am trying to find some info to calm her fears. I was wondering if anyone has heard anything either way on this.

[GrlyGrl]

That's what Atkins is: increased fat, moderate protein, low carbs.

There are some terrific doctors and nurses out there -- well-informed and current on research....but there are also some not-so-terrific doctors and nurses out there.

If you can, I would talk to the nurse again and explain what she meant by "too much protein causes brain damage" and find out where she got the information. Maybe she just "heard it from a friend" or maybe she read it somewhere.

Good luck and congrats on the new baby :baby: !

[BJ_1971]

i would also like to know about it because iam on a low carb diet and breastfeeding. i never heard that and i go to breastfeeding support classes every monday. my 3 month old is very healthy and evan advanced for her age physically and mentally.
i am thinking that in order for that to be true one would have to eat loads and loads of protein and only protein for a long period of time.
congrats on your baby .

[doreen T]

hi there johnnysock,

I have a hunch that the nurse was referring to a specific protein-related disease that can cause severe brain damage in babies. The disease is called PKU, or Phenylketonuria. It's due to a birth defect, and fortunately is rare; nonetheless all newborns are routinely screened for this disorder during the early months.

The cause is due to deficiency or even complete lack of the enzyme required to metabolize phenylalanine, an amino acid which is a component of proteins. Because the infant cannot metabolize the phenylalanine, it accumulates in the blood. The levels get very high and eventually it can cause brain damage, mental retardation and other neurological disorders. :( If caught early, and treatment established promptly .. the outcome is a normal healthy child who grows up to be a normal healthy adult :)

Generally, the treatment is .. diet. Depending on the level of enzyme deficiency (some have only mild, others more severe), the baby will be put on protein-restricted diet. Again, depending on severity, the diet will be maintained till the child is grown, or sometimes for life. Some foods are higher in phenylalanine than others .. so obviously those would be avoided at all costs. It's worth noting that aspartame (Nutrasweet) contains phenylalanine, and all products made with aspartame must carry a warning :exclm:

=============

Should you be concerned? As long as your baby's dr. is following up with regular tests and check-ups, and reports show everything is hunkey-dorey .. then don't worry.

As for your own brain, unless you were born with this disorder yourself, then eating protein isn't going to be a concern. Eat up!


more info. about PKU is at the PKU News website (http://www.pkunews.org/)


hth,

Doreen

[johnnysock]

Thanks for the info and congrats. I haven't been too worried about it, but I want to put aside my wifes fears. I think the lack of information on this should do it. I have tried to find something that might support what the nurse told her, but haven't been able to find a thing. I'm going to see if I can talk with the nurse myself and find out exactly what she means. Thanks again.

[doreen T]

Originally posted by johnnysock
...... I'm going to see if I can talk with the nurse myself and find out exactly what she means. Please keep us posted ... I'm dying to know too ;)


Doreen