All parents-to-be
nurture the dream of a healthy pregnancy and baby.
But the modern environment and diet is deficient
in many factors essential for the health of mother and fetus.
One of those factors is antioxidants.
The role of antioxidants like folic acid in preventing
birth defects like spina bifida and cleft palate is well known.
It is now included in all prenatal vitamin supplements.
But the role of antioxidants like glutathione
and Vitamin E in pregnancy is often overlooked.
Antioxidants and glutathione status play an important
role in the development and growth of the fetus, maintenance of
a healthy pregnancy - and even before pregnancy, in fertility
and conception.
Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant.
It helps to regenerate stores of other antioxidants like Vitamin
C and E.
It also protects both mother and fetus from the
damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress.
Many pregnancy complications and birth defects
have been linked to oxidative stress, free radical damage and
low glutathione levels in the mother and fetus.
The role of glutathione in the development of
the foetus and placenta is crucial. Glutathione (GSH) can control
cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell death - essential
functions in the developing embryo.
In the placenta, glutathione detoxifies pollutants
before they reach the developing child. Most substances or factors
which cause birth defects (teratogens) are known to exert their
embryotoxic effects because they cause oxidative stress.
The human placenta possesses a significant amount
of glutathione S-transferase (GST) capable of detoxification or
activation of drugs and pharmaceuticals during the critical period
of organ development in the fetus.
Some drugs are known to cause birth defects in
the growing fetus by generating free radicals, and depleting GSH
stores.
In the early embryonic stages, the fetus is sensitive
to the toxic and teratogenic effects of chemicals, whereas it
is sensitive to carcinogenic effects during late fetal stages.
Carcinogens administered to the mother can be
transferred through the placenta and induce cancer in the fetus.
Many carcinogens are much more active in the fetus than in adults
and they tend to act as abortifacients and teratogens as well.
Environmental and lifestyle factors are known
to cause oxidative stress and lower glutathione levels - resulting
in birth defects, abortion and miscarriages in pregnancy.
Some of the known teratogens (causing birth defects)
in pregnancy include:
o Radiation o Pesticides and Persistent Organic
Pollutants (POPs) o Air pollution o Heavy metals (mercury, cadmium,
arsenic) o Vinyl chloride o Acryonitrile o Excess Oxygen (hyperoxia)
o Anti-psychotic and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) o Thalidomide
o Cigarette smoke o Alcohol (ethanol) consumption
Maternal health factors that increase free radicals
and cause birth defects include:
o Diabetes o Pre-eclampsia o Infection and Inflammation
Glutathione and other antioxidants attenuate
oxidative stress in pregnant women with inflammation or maternal
conditions like diabetes and pre-eclampsia, and in fetuses at
risk for developing cystic fibrosis.
Supplementation with glutathione precursors and
antioxidants can decrease the incidence of birth defects and protect
both mothers and the fetus from the damaging and possibly fatal
consequences of pregnancy complications.
Glutathione (GSH ) also prevents or minimizes
the oxidative stress that occurs during labor and the birth process.
Perinatal or birth asphyxia/hypoxia (deprivation
of oxygen supply to the brain) in preterm deliveries and labor
can lead to cerebral palsy, respiratory distress syndrome, irreversible
brain injury, and permanent neurological and intellectual handicaps.
Administration of the glutathione precursor,
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), to the pregnant mother partially prevents
oxidative stress during the birth process in premature infants.
Currently, the American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology advises all pregnant women to take a prenatal vitamin
containing antioxidants.
In addition, they advise eating lots of fresh
fruits and vegetables, the best sources of antioxidant protection.
Read a detailed report with references on the
role of glutathione in pregnancy
------------------------ Pregnant women and nursing
mothers should avoid the use of supplementary glutathione. Women
who are pregnant or nursing should discontinue all supplements
except as directed by their healthcare providers. ------------------------
Copyright © 2004 Priya Shah
About the author:
Priya Shah is the Editor of The Glutathione Report, a newsletter
featuring regular updates on the health benefits of glutathione.
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