What Every Mom Should Know About Supplements (Before, During & After Pregnancy) with Cassy Velazquez of Fussy Mom

Tanya Valentine
Jun 30
3 min read

0:00

What if the supplements you’ve been faithfully taking…aren’t actually doing what you think they are?

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Cassy Velazquez—biologist-turned-nutritionist, mom of two, and founder of Fussy Mom, a science-backed supplement brand created for women by someone who’s lived it.

After working behind the scenes for over 15 years formulating some of the biggest names in the supplement industry (think Metagenics, Arbonne, Herbalife), Cassy had a major realization: women’s health was often treated like an afterthought—especially in products marketed to moms.

Then came her own fertility journey… That’s when everything changed.

In this episode, Cassy shares her trials to become pregnant, what she learned from her genetic diagnosis (MTHFR mutation), and why that lit a fire under her to create clean, bioavailable supplements that women can actually absorb and trust.

In this conversation, we cover:

Why your prenatal vitamin might not be helping you as much as you think
What the MTHFR gene mutation is—and how it affects folic acid absorption
What to look for in a quality supplement (and which red flags to avoid)
The surprising must-haves vs. marketing fluff in the supplement aisle
How Cassy’s 3 hero products—prenatal, hair growth, and mood support—were all born out of her postpartum struggles
Real talk about the mental load of motherhood and what helps her juggle parenting + entrepreneurship

💡 Helpful Tip: Why Folic Acid Matters—Especially in Pregnancy

Folate (vitamin B9) is crucial for a healthy pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. It helps form the baby’s brain and spinal cord and prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly.

🤰 The CDC recommends 400–800 mcg of folic acid daily for anyone who is TTC (trying to conceive), pregnant, or in the postpartum recovery phase.

🥦 Best food sources of folate (the natural form of folic acid):

Leafy greens like spinach and kale
Avocados
Lentils and chickpeas
Oranges and citrus fruits
Fortified cereals and whole grains

BUT—if you have a genetic mutation like MTHFR, your body may struggle to convert folic acid (the synthetic form found in most supplements and fortified foods) into its usable form.

🧬 What Is the MTHFR Gene Mutation?

MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, an enzyme your body needs to activate folate.

About 40–60% of the population carries one or two variants of this gene, most commonly:

C677T
A1298C

If you carry one or both, your ability to process folic acid is significantly reduced, which may affect fertility, increase miscarriage risk, or elevate homocysteine levels.

✅ What Can You Do?

Talk to your doctor about genetic testing (like 23andMe, or functional lab panels)
Choose supplements with methylated folate (5-MTHF), the bioavailable form your body can actually use
Always work with your doctor or a trained practitioner to determine what’s best for you

🩺 This advice is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement.