Glutathione for a Healthier Pregnancy

Copyright c 2004 Priya Shah

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.

For a detailed report with references on the role of glutathione

in pregnancy, visit:

http://www.1whey2health.com/glutathione_pregnancy.htm

About the author:

Priya Shah is the Editor of "The Glutathione Report" For regular

updates on the health benefits of glutathione subscribe here

http://www.glutathione-report.com For a free report on

Glutathione in Health and Disease visit

http://www.1whey2health.com

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Glutathione for a Healthier Pregnancy

Article : Glutathione for a Healthier Pregnancy