Antioxidants may protect against preeclampsia

Feeding in pregnancy is essential for the health of the baby and also for the proper development of pregnancy. The foods that the mother ingests decisively influence this period. A recent study indicates that Antioxidants could protect against preeclampsia, one of the disorders of pregnancy characterized by an increase in blood pressure, which if not properly controlled poses a serious risk to the baby.

Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) say that take vitamin supplements with antioxidants During pregnancy, women with a high risk of preeclampsia can help prevent the onset of this condition.

Antioxidant vitamins are found naturally in foods such as vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, legumes and nuts, while L-arginine is an essential amino acid that improves, among other things, the ability of the circulatory system. It is found in red meat, poultry meat and dairy products.

They analyzed 600 pregnant women with high risk of preeclampsia, which were divided into three groups: one received a daily dietary supplement that combined antioxidant vitamins and L-arginine, while the other two remaining groups received either only vitamins or placebo.

According to the results of the study, the proportion of women who developed preeclampsia was 30.2 percent in the placebo group, 22.5 percent in the group that received only vitamins, and 12.7 percent who also took L -arginine

For this reason, the researchers believe that antioxidant vitamin supplements with L-arginine could reduce the incidence of preeclampsia in pregnancy, in addition to the fact that, in light of the results, they also observed that they would significantly reduce the risk of premature labor associated with the disease. , compared to placebo.

Pending further studies, they suggest that it would be a simple and cheap intervention that may be important in reducing the risk of preeclampsia and associated premature delivery.

Video: Saving Lives at Birth: Prenatal calcium to prevent preeclampsia and preterm birth (March 2024).