Dropping the pressure in pregnancy

Pregnancy, especially first time pregnancy, is a time of excited anticipation, moments of self-doubt, and making well-meaning plans that will mostly go out of the window once the baby arrives. Amidst all of this there can be some physically challenging times for a pregnant mother. One of the major health issues during pregnancy can be preeclampsia but new research has shown that there are natural ways to avoid it.

Preeclampsia is a sharp rise in blood pressure that can occur during pregnancy. As a result of this rise a protein called albumin leaks into the urine and there is swelling of the face, hands, and feet. Preeclampsia is one of the most common of problems during pregnancy and tends to occur more during first pregnancies. It happens during the third trimester and can be serious.

A pregnant woman with preeclampsia needs to rest and get the condition under control. Since it may be a sign that the placenta is detaching from the uterus and can progress to eclampsia which is dangerous for both mother and child, labour may be induced or a Caesarean performed if preeclampsia is not resolved.

Researchers who undertook a new study were operating under the assumption that preeclampsia may be associated with a deficiency of the amino acid L-arginine which helps maintain healthy blood flow. It has also been thought that antioxidants may help with preeclampsia.

So for this study more than 650 pregnant women who were at risk of preeclampsia were divided into three groups. All of the groups were given food bars that looked, smelled, and tasted identical. The bars were however, quite different.

One group received two food bars daily containing 6.6 grams of L-arginine plus antioxidant vitamins. Another group received two bars that contained only antioxidant vitamins while a third group received a placebo bar with no L-arginine or antioxidants.

The preeclampsia rates in the groups were: L-arginine group – 12.7 per cent, vitamin only group – 22.5 per cent, and the placebo group 30.1 per cent. The evidence is then that those who took L-arginine and antioxidant were at a significantly lower risk of developing preeclampsia. Those who took L-arginine and antioxidants were also found to have a significantly lower risk of premature birth.

You should always consult a health professional before making decisions about pregnancy but L-arginine and antioxidants certainly seem worth considering.

Source: British Medical JournalMeanwhile if you visit Meijer Ad that contains mostly likewise discounts with Winn Dixie Ad you surely have a range like ALDI Ad.