Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

Glutathione for a Healthier Pregnancy


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 Radiationo Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)o Air pollutiono Heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic)o Vinyl chlorideo Acryonitrileo Excess Oxygen (hyperoxia)o Anti-psychotic and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)o Thalidomideo Cigarette smokeo Alcohol (ethanol) consumption

Maternal health factors that increase free radicals and cause birth defects include:

o Diabeteso Pre-eclampsiao 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. Get a Free report on Glutathione in Health and Disease
____________________________________________


MORE RESOURCES:

Pregnancy - Google News

More evidence ties smoking, decreased fertility - msnbc.com


The Hindu

More evidence ties smoking, decreased fertility
msnbc.com
A new study shows smoking by women during early pregnancy reduces the number of germ cells in the embryo. Germ cells later develop into eggs or sperm, ...
Smoking in early pregnancy cuts cells on which future fertility dependsOnMedica
Smoking: fertility affected at foetal stageThe Hindu
Smoking Damages Men's Sperm, Harms EmbryosAOL Health (blog)
Insidermedicine -The Press Association
all 25 news articles »

More Kids for Tom & Katie? 'Maybe in a Couple of Years,' She Says - People Magazine


Peace FM Online

More Kids for Tom & Katie? 'Maybe in a Couple of Years,' She Says
People Magazine
Katie Holmes has a message for those engaging in persistent pregnancy rumors: Hold your horses! It could be a while before she's ready for ...
Sorry Suri! Your Mom Katie Holmes Says You're Going To Have To Wait A&hellipHollywood Life (blog)

all 196 news articles »

Former 'Saturday Night Live' star Rachel Dratch welcomes first son Eli - New York Daily News


New York Daily News

Former 'Saturday Night Live' star Rachel Dratch welcomes first son Eli
New York Daily News
Over the summer, Dratch told People that everything about her pregnancy had been "surprising." "The most surprising thing is that I am pregnant," she said. ...
Rachel Dratch welcomes baby boyUSA Today
It's Boy for SNL Alum Rachel DratchPeople Magazine
Rachel Dratch of 'Saturday Night Live' gives birth to baby boyOnTheRedCarpet.com (blog)
PerezHilton.com (blog) -PopEater -msnbc.com
all 22 news articles »

Nothing much works for morning sickness, study finds - Los Angeles Times


Daily Mail

Nothing much works for morning sickness, study finds
Los Angeles Times
Morning sickness can be one of the most miserable parts of pregnancy -- or, at least, so I am told. Unfortunately, new research reported Wednesday suggests ...
Morning sickness has no treatmentWLBT-TV
No Relief for Morning SicknessWHIZ
Morning sickness 'cures' put to the test... and none of them workDaily Mail
Metro -The Press Association -ParentDish UK
all 63 news articles »

Behind the Scenes on 'Showbiz Tonight': Does TV glorify teen pregnancy? - CNN (blog)


Behind the Scenes on 'Showbiz Tonight': Does TV glorify teen pregnancy?
CNN (blog)
Are these shows glorifying teen pregnancy? Or are they just raising awareness of the struggles in the lives of these young mothers? ...

Group Highlights Dangers Of Drinking During Pregnancy - WHMI


WHMI

Group Highlights Dangers Of Drinking During Pregnancy
WHMI
9/8/10 - A local child abuse prevention agency is hoping that events tomorrow will help reinforce the message that drinking and pregnancy do not mix. ...
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% PreventableFood Consumer
Facing frustrations of FASDHomer Tribune
Florida surgeon general to pregnant moms: Just say no to that drink10 Connects
Voxy -Scoop.co.nz (press release) -NKU The Northerner Online
all 44 news articles »

Bristol Palin to speak on teen pregnancy - WDRB


Bristol Palin to speak on teen pregnancy
WDRB
(WDRB-TV Fox 41) -- The daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be in Louisville Wednesday night speaking about teen pregnancy. ...

and more »

CT scans in pregnancy don't hike cancer risk - CTV.ca


CBC.ca

CT scans in pregnancy don't hike cancer risk
CTV.ca
TORONTO — - In about one out of every 160 pregnancies, a CT scan or other nuclear medicine diagnostic test is done on the woman to diagnose serious ...
No Cancer Risk Due To CT, Nuclear Imaging Tests During PregnancyVisit Bulgaria
Fetal exposure to radiation and the risk of childhood cancer: What is the ...EurekAlert (press release)
CT tests in pregnancy don't raise kids' cancer riskCBC.ca
Globe and Mail
all 21 news articles »

2010 Care Net National Conference to Pregnancy Centers: 'This is the Time' - Christian News Wire (press release)


2010 Care Net National Conference to Pregnancy Centers: 'This is the Time'
Christian News Wire (press release)
8 /Christian Newswire/ -- With an unexpected overflow attendance, the 2010 Care Net National Pregnancy Center Conference kicks off Wednesday in Grapevine, ...

and more »

Gastric Bypass Lowers Risk of Pregnancy Diabetes - CalorieLab Calorie Counter News


Gastric Bypass Lowers Risk of Pregnancy Diabetes
CalorieLab Calorie Counter News
Obese women who have bariatric surgery before pregnancy are three times less likely to develop gestational diabetes (GDM) than women who had the operation ...
Study: Bariatic Operations Lower Chances of Gestational Diabetes, Cesarean SectionHealthJockey.com
Bariatric ops reduce chances of gestational diabetesSify

all 19 news articles »

DietRight Domain Is For Sale - $10,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.DietRight.biz 2010

home | site map | links

 

eXTReMe Tracker