Is Glutathione safe for Pregnant Women?

The role of glutathione in the development of the fetus and placenta is crucial. Glutathione can control differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis-essential functions in developing embryo. Glutathione plays an important role in the development of organs (organogenesis) and embryo (embryogenesis).

Studies have clearly shown how chemicals (like 2 nitrosoflourene and acetaminophen) which modulate intracellular glutathione (GSH) and cysteine levels cause developmental abnormalities (dysmorphogenesis) in the fetus. (5,6,7).

This also explains why lower levels of glutathione activities(like those caused by drugs and increased oxygen levels) during organogenesis, may make the fetus more vulnerable to damage. (8)

In  the placenta, glutathione detoxifies before they reach the developing child.

Most substances or factors which cause birth defects (teratogens) are know to exert embryotoxic effects because they cause oxidative stress. (9)

The fetus is sensitive to the toxic and teratogenic effects of the chemicals in the early embryonic stages, whereas it is sensitive to carcinogenic effect during late fetal stages.

Carcinogens administered to the mother can be transferred through the placenta and induce cancer in the fetus. Many potential carcinogens tend to act as abortifacient and teratogens as well. Many carcinogens are much more active in the fetus than in adults. (10,11)

Increasing evidence points to potential risks of delayed effects upon prenatal exposure to chemicals. In fact, several systems (e.g. excretorynervous) show important developmental processes right after the organogenetic period, up to the postnatal phase. So this would also be sensitive to developmental toxicants.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:  POLLUTIONS AND TOXINS

A large number of substances in the environment are known to be toxic to the growing fetus. It is impossible to completely eliminate exposure to many of them, because we inhale or ingest them through polluted food, air and water.

Many of these compounds exert a damaging effects through the production of free radicals that lower glutathione levels. Glutathione, as the master antioxidant, plays an important protective role in detoxifying these chemicals and reducing their toxic effects.

1.      Radiation

Placental glutathione status is sensitive to environmental pollution-as a study of placental detoxifying activity in chemically polluted or radioactively contaminated regions like the Ukraine has shown.(12,13)

2.     Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s)

Exposure to pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls or persistent organic pollutants similar to those who are present in the diet of people is found to alter liver gene expressions in the mother and the fetus. These changes have functional implication during pregnancy.

3.     Air pollution

Let’s face it! We are living in a polluted world.

It is a common knowledge that pollution is not good to our health pregnant or not. Common component of pollution is nitrogen-oxide compounds and it leads to increase  risk of methomoglobin. It is a brownish-red form of hemoglobin that occurs when hemoglobin is oxidized either during decomposition of the blood or by the action of various oxidizing drugs or toxic agents. It contains iron in the ferric state and cannot function as an oxygen carrier.

Due to this state, the lungs are not functioning properly and the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the lungs for oxygenation (hypoxemia) leading to a decreased in the amount of oxygen reaching body tissues (Hypoxia). This will alter normal development of fetus and increase the risk of anemia, threatened abortion, premature labor, eclampsia and other pregnancy complications.

Glutathione helps fight the harmful effects of pollution by detoxifying harmful substances and helps cells to absorb oxygen resulting distribution of healthy blood and maintain healthy organs.

4.      Heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic)

5.      Vinyl chloride

6.     Acryonitrile

7.      Excess Oxygen (hyperoxia)

8.      Anti-psychotic and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)

9.     Thalidomide

10.                        10.Cigarette smoke

11.                         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.