Optimal Prenatal MF Dr. Lynch product Q&AUpdated 17 hours ago
| Question | Answer |
| Hi and thanks for all your help to those of us with questions! I recently purchased the Prenatal essentials and a week ago I took it for a day (1 after breakfast and one after lunch) and took Optimal PC after dinner. Had a headache that night. Tried another single capsule of Prenatal essentials after breakfast the next day and had a mild headache not too long after. Tried again the next morning (1 capsule) same issue. Next day, didnt take it and got a mild headache at the same time again anyways. Then again got a mild headache the next day. I may have taken optimal PC again after dinner that 3rd or 4th day. Yesterday, I switched over to the Optimal prenatal MF (full dose split after breakfast and lunch) and kind of still just have a headache (mild) all day. Also taking Fish oil, glutathione lozenge and hydration daily. Would i still be feeling the mild headache from over Methylation, if that is the issue, several days later? Should I try to take nothing for a week and see if calms down? (im typically not a headache person). Really want to be able to take a full nutrient prenatal. | Hi Caitlin - Thank you for reaching out. Headaches like this may be due to taking too many nutrients as you are pointing out. There are a number of factors for headaches:
Consider:
I suspect the Glutathione may be contributing to the headache as too much can do that. A key point here is that you are likely an overall healthy person and do NOT need to take all of these supplements on a daily basis at the amounts you're taking. You likely need to take less. Keep in mind that the 'Suggested Use' is simply stating how many nutrients are in 1 serving - it does NOT mean you have to take the full serving! You are also eating foods which naturally contain vitamins and minerals. Consider this once your headache is gone and you've introduced each of the supplements and possibly identified the culrpit(s):
Have your doctor check your serum ferritin and iron levels to make sure you are not anemic. You may need our Iron Chewable or Iron Plus Cofactors. Have a great pregnancy! In health, |
| Hi, I’m having a hard time figuring out the right prenatal for myself. I have the same two MTHFR mutations as Dr. Lynch. I’ve been taking half a lozenge of Hydroxo b12 with folinic acid on days I feel like I need extra support and I only had a headache the first two times taking it and then haven’t had side effects since. I’m no longer taking those because I first started taking the Optimal prenatal and that gave me headaches immediately. I then ordered the Optimal prenatal MF and I’m on day 5 of taking 2 capsules a day in the morning and I have a headache all day long and I’ve noticed that my lymph nodes in my throat have been consistently tender. I guess I’m unsure of why I responded fine to the hydroxo b12 with folinic acid, but not to the optimal prenatal MF. Do I now try prenatal essentials? | Hi Lexi - I hear you. It may be coincidence or it may be the prenatals. Headaches are going around right now with people - including my wife and a good friend of mine and my mother. The prenatals also wouldn't enlarge your lymph nodes so I suspect you may be fighting something. Consider these to support a healthy immune system:
Keep me posted. We can adjust later but I do think you will do well with the Optimal Prenatal MF version once you feel good again. In health, |
| I have a lot of sensitivities to supplements and I have MCAS along with histamine, sulfur and salicylate intolerances. I tried the methyl and non methyl forms of your b12 and folate and I would feel good at first then get headaches and describe it as feeling sulfury. I have low vitamin and mineral levels so I ordered this and the same thing. Even1/3 of the capsule gives me a headache etc. How can I work on getting the nutrients I need in this state? | Hi Tiff - There are a few things you can do
This should help a lot. In health, |
| I have read that it’s possible to overdose on selenium when taking over 200mcg/day including supplements and food sources. Would that be a concern with this? Or are the needs during pregnancy and lactation so much higher that this would not be a concern? | Hi Julianne - Good question. The maximum safe daily intake of selenium is 400 mcg according to MEDSAFE: Typical symptoms of too much selenium include:
However, selenium is important during pregnancy because it is essential for fetal growth and neurogenesis (formation of the brain and nervous system). And you are feeding two people during pregnancy and lactation. Of course, consider all supplements you are taking to determine how much selenium you may be consuming. And discuss these with your healthcare provider. And consider food consumption. Brazil nuts are pretty high in selenium, so don't eat too many of these. One Brazil nut contains 96 mcg of selenium, which means just 4 nuts could get you to the top of the spectrum of selenium intake. Regards, |
| I take thyroid medication that prevents me from taking supplements containing calcium or magnesium in the morning. I see that you recommend taking these as three doses of two capsules, and not taking them at dinner time. Is that for optimal absorption, or would taking more at one time possibly irritate your stomach? Would it be ok to take two doses of 3 or something? | Hi Julianne - I'm helping out in answering some of the questions we are receiving :). It's best to wait at least 4 hours after taking thyroid medication before taking other supplements. This may look something like:
Hope this helps :) Elizma Lambert (ElizmaLambert.com) |
| I am concerned about the milk thistle included in this prenatal. Can you explain why it is included and the evidence that it is safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding? When I try to look it up I just see that there is no safety data and though it is likely safe, adverse effects can’t be ruled out so it is advised to avoid it. | Hi Julianne - I understand your concern and recognize that there is conflicting information when researching this topic. Definitely follow the advice of your healthcare practitioner. Even though there are not many studies, milk thistle has been traditionally used during pregnancy. It's typically used for its liver protective action and may help with symptoms such as nausea and bloating, as well as liver damage related to preeclampsia.* What I can also say is that studies show that milk thistle is considered safe in dosages of 420 mg/day (silymarin). The amount of milk thistle extract in Optimal Prenatal MF is only 75 mg per serving (6 capsules) which is well below the safety levels of 420 mg. Below are a few studies: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161813X20300309 However, anyone with ragweed allergies should avoid milk thistle. Regards, |
| How do I know if I should take the prenatal essentials or the optimal prenatal? Are they the same - just amount of capsules varies? | Hi Mia - Prenatal Essentials is for women who are overall quite healthy, eat a healthy diet and need some general healthy nutrition for pregnancy or fertility or breastfeeding.* Optimal Prenatal supports women needing more fertility support and more pregnancy support from prior pregnancy complications as it's a comprehensive blend of high potency nutrients that support a healthy pregnancy overall.* You can also switch back and forth. Some women get both and on days they need more general support, they use Prenatal Essentials and on days they feel they really need more support, they switch and use Optimal Prenatal. In health, |
| First - thank you all for always answering and being so kind! I am trying to conceive, if I have slow PEMT and am needing betaine and SAMe (which I saw in the notes are not in this supplement), plus have slow MTHFR A1298c with extremely high laboratory levels (off the charts) of B12 and folate after years of taking methyl-B12 and methyl-folate, plus I have slow DAO and have HUGE histamine issues post-covid that triggered hypermobile EDS (epigenetic disaster), what can I add to Optimal Prenatal MF to support all of these needs (I also have hypothyroidism (kept up with by me and my doctor), adrenal fatigue, recent miscarriage)? So far I have started / plan on using Gut Nutrients powder, electrolyte powder, lithium oratate for anxiety, adrenal cortex, stress nutrients, Optimal Prenatal MF, Liver Nutrients, Histamine Nutrients, fish oil, Histamine safe probiotics from you all, glutathione, PQQ, acetyl-l-carnitine, Histamine blocker with meals, digestive enzymes, PC choline, ox bile for SIBO, myo-inositol powder for insulin resistance, glycine, and following the Cusack Protocol of supplements for hEDS ( which is low dose l-arginine, lions mane, maitake, l-lysine, CoQ10, d-ribose powder, low dose glucosamine chondroitin, astralagus polysaccharide, and hyraulonic acid), plus beef liver, chlorophyll, spirulina, and treating / avoiding IgE allergens, oh - also adding Brain Nutrients and Optimal Focus for brain fog. I'm not sure if all of these are safe in pregnancy / breastfeeding as my doctors are very uninformed about these health issues. So, I'm hoping you all can help me make sure I'm supporting everything I can to have a healthy baby and healthy me ... also I'm 36 :-). (( Also - I would like to find Creatine to support slow MTHFR that Dr Lynch recommends , but can't fine magnesium creatine)) I would love to reduce this massive amount of supplements, but I don't want to miss anything or face another loss. | Hi Melissa - It's a pleasure! I would definitely suggest the Optimal PC to support your PEMT. It's one of my go-to's for pregnancy, always. But I see you are already taking it. In summary, for pregnancy the following would be my suggestions: Typically I discontinue anything herbal whilst pregnant. It's unlikely to do any harm, but there's not enough research, so really just a very cautious approach. This may include Stress Nutrients, Liver Nutrients, Lion's mane, Maitake, Astragalus, etc. from what I can see here. Vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, probiotics, antioxidants, and enzymes are generally OK during pregnancy. But always follow your healthcare practitioner's advice. They know your health history. I'm not sure why you are specifically looking for a magnesium creatine. Most research is done on creatine monohydrate and there does not seem to be any superior benefit to a creatine magnesium chelate (where a magnesium molecule is attached to a creatine molecule). Optimal Electrolyte contains creatine monohydrate and magnesium as well as taurine to help magnesium absorption into the cells and other electrolytes that may be of benefit to you. Regards, |
| I am currently taking the Prenatal Essentials and every day have bright yellow urine. I will choose to skip a day here and there and when I start it back up, the same thing happens. Would the MF version be better for me? | Hi Kelcie - That's typical. Riboflavin does this. You're simply peeing out the excess riboflavin you don't need as it is a water soluble vitamin. Riboflavin is a very important vitamin as it supports so many metabolic functions. It's better to have a little bit extra than not enough. In health, |
| Thanks for making these great products. I just realized the folate form in this vitamin is Folinic acid. I have a variation of MTHFS and am told this type of folate should be avoided. Any ideas what a pregnant woman who has MTHFR and is sensitive to methylated vitamins AND Folinic acid can do?! | Hi VD - The information in these genetic reports online is horribly inaccurate. A pregnant woman who is sensitive to both forms of folate tells me that she is likely quite high histamine, low electrolytes and possibly low glutathione. Consider:
This supports your healthy pregnancy and supports underlying reasons why one may be sensitive to folates.* In health, |
| Hi, I've been taking this for the last month, 3 after breakfast and 3 after lunch. I've noticed that after I take them my heart starts racing and fluttering and seems to last a long time, usually until it's time for the next serving. I tried taking just 1 after breakfast, and it seemed to not make it as bad but definitely still happening. I'm wondering if I should switch to the methylated version? This is how I used to feel with generic store vitamins, so feeling a bit at a loss with what to do. Thank you for your help! | Hi Kayla - You're more nourished than you thought - so you need less. I recommend switching to the Prenatal Essentials MF version and taking 1 capsule with breakfast and 1 with lunch - if needing additional support at lunch time. Skip a day or two right now with your Optimal Prenatal MF. Your nutrient density is sufficient. Also make sure you eat a healthy protein based breakfast when you take the prenatal vitamin. In health, |
| Can this be taken with bovine liver supplements, or would that be too much vitamin A? I've been taking Livaplex (SP) which resolved a constant pain in the liver/gallbladder area, and have been continuing to take 1 or 2 each morning after breakfast. I've been breaking up the Optimal Prenatal MF with 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon (most days), but wondering if all of these together would be too much retinyl palmitate? Thank you for your help! | Hi Katy - Food based vitamin A does not contribute to toxicity from my understanding. Bovine liver supplements to me are food. Now Cod Liver Oil is more concentrated and, while it is 'food', it isn't really as it is a concentrated food. That would not be recommended along with Optimal Prenatal or Prenatal Essentials. I'd also consider using Optimal PC. This supports healthy gallbladder and liver function and also your baby's healthy brain and neurological development. I would take 1 capsule after dinner.* Have a great pregnancy! In health, |
I bought this prenatal after experiencing joint pain due to the methylfolate or methyl b12 another brand. Not sure which of the two was causing the joint soreness. My question: Is this prenatal confirmed to be absorbed by MTHFR sufferers and does it prevents neural tube defects? | Hi Johanna - Good catch. It is common for methylcobalamin and methylfolate to increase joint soreness. I think it has to do possibly with increased histamine but I am not sure. This prenatal uses folate and B12 that your body fully recognizes. It also has a potent amount of vitamin B2 which directly supports your MTHFR enzyme. I would add Optimal PC to further support methylation and neural development. Take 1 capsule with dinner. Congratulations on your pregnancy :) In health, |
Can the Optimal Prenatal MF be used by men in place of Optimal Male? My husband is trying to conceive and has MTHFR and COMT SNP’s and I suspect that the Methyl B vitamins are causing him stress and rage. I need to find a methyl free bioavailable option for him. Thx! | Hi Mary - Yes - you are correct. Well done. I would use these: Prenatal Essentials MF - take 2 capsules with breakfast. I recommend this one as it is less capsules and less stimulating than Optimal Prenatal MF. Guys won't take 8 capsules. He should get a quality fish oil as well - we're currently out of stock on that. If he is stressed generally, consider using Stress Nutrients with breakfast to support healthy response to stress. Ensure he is breathing through his nose as well - not his mouth. These should really help him. In health, |
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