Why should women who are pregnant or breastfeeding avoid concentrated prickly pear supplements?
Answer
Comprehensive safety data is unavailable
The primary reason for caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding regarding concentrated prickly pear supplements is the significant deficit in reliable safety information. When substantial knowledge gaps exist concerning substances that might potentially affect a developing fetus or pass to an infant through breast milk, the prevailing medical consensus dictates avoidance of these concentrated forms. The safest boundary observed during these special life stages is sticking to the amounts traditionally consumed as established food items, rather than introducing extracts or capsules whose effects are unknown.

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