Glutathione and other antioxidants are crucial in preventing
free radical damage and birth defects in the pregnant women and
fetus. GSH supplementation can prevent many of the complications
associated with oxidative stress in conception, pregnancy and
labor...
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.
