The Truth About Prenatal Care, Supplements For Women, Hormone Health, & Postpartum Ft. Victoria Thain Gioia Of Perelel
The Skinny Confidential Him And Her Show Podcast Recap
Published:
Duration: 44 min
Guests: Victoria Thain Gioia
Summary
Victoria Thain Gioia, co-founder of Perelel, discusses the importance of prenatal nutrition, especially for those with the MTHFR gene mutation, and the necessity of third-party testing for supplement purity and safety. The episode highlights considerations for prenatal vitamins and postpartum...
What Happened
Victoria Thain Gioia, co-founder and CEO of Perelel, explains the significance of methylated folate in prenatal vitamins, especially for women with the MTHFR gene mutation that affects folic acid processing. She discovered this need after her daughter was born with a cleft, prompting her research into prenatal nutrition and the founding of Perelel.
Victoria discusses the benefits of creatine for muscle and cognitive health during pregnancy, highlighting its inclusion in Perelel's protein product, which also contains essential fiber. She notes women begin losing muscle mass at age 30, often faster than men, due to hormonal changes, making creatine a valuable supplement.
The conversation covers the importance of third-party testing for supplements to ensure they are free from contaminants like heavy metals, microbials, and solvents. Victoria stresses that every finished lot of products should undergo testing, not just annually, aligning with strict standards like California's Prop 65.
Victoria shares that the term 'clean' is unregulated in the supplement industry, meaning it lacks specific standards. Instead, certifications like Clean Label Project and NSF are essential for verifying product purity and potency, ensuring supplements contain the claimed ingredients and dosages.
She highlights postpartum mental health issues, distinguishing between anxiety and depression, and the commonality of intrusive thoughts among new mothers. Victoria notes that these experiences often decrease with subsequent children, emphasizing the need for separate consideration of postpartum anxiety and depression.
Victoria reflects on her fundraising journey for Perelel, which faced challenges during the onset of COVID-19 in April 2020. Her background in finance enabled her to navigate these hurdles without compromising on terms, and the company is now backed by Unilever Ventures with an all-female board consisting mostly of mothers.
Key Insights
- Methylated folate is crucial for prenatal vitamins, particularly for those with the MTHFR gene mutation, as it is more bioavailable than regular folic acid. This mutation impairs the body's ability to convert folic acid into folate, necessary for proper absorption.
- Creatine offers cognitive and muscle health benefits during pregnancy, with recommended inclusion in prenatal supplements. Perelel's protein product contains creatine, fiber, and a dose tailored for women, acknowledging that muscle mass loss accelerates after age 30.
- Third-party testing is vital for supplement safety, ensuring products are free from contaminants like heavy metals and solvents. Every finished product lot should undergo testing, not just annual checks, to meet regulations like California's Prop 65.
- The term 'clean' in supplements holds no specific regulatory meaning, making certifications like Clean Label Project and NSF essential. These certifications verify the purity and potency of supplements, confirming they contain the ingredients and dosages claimed.