LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

prenatal vitamin

The fetal origins of adult disease – (02-26-01)

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The fetal origins of adult disease

This is a nice editorial reviewing the evidence that suggests a strong influence on adult disease from fetal health and birthweight. More and more studies are confirming that the maternal environment as the fetus develops plays a major factor in future health. This means that “prenatal” care needs to extend far beyond the use of a poor quality prescription prenatal vitamin (which, by the way, are typically very poor quality; loaded with chemicals used for processing that don’t need to be there…). Prenatal care needs to address maternal diet, nutrient intake, avoidance of chemicals and incorporation of exercise.

bmj.com Robinson 322 (7283): 375

Read entire article here

BLOCK TOXINS IN PREGNANCY WITH THIS

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Ever since Environmental Working Group conducted the 10 American’s study, we have been far too aware of the exposure of the developing baby to toxins from the environment. The toxic exposure is just plain scary.

They found nearly 300 chemicals in the cord blood of newborns. This means that the placenta, which we have always thought would keep everything but necessary nutrients from the baby, offers little actual protection against the chemicals mom is exposed to. Given that the EPA registers some 80,000+ compounds for use in the US, this is no small exposure. The list is nearly endless, but may include:

So, the first and most important thing to do is reduce your exposure–not just during pregnancy but permanently.  That also means bug sprays, flame retardant mattresses, fragrances, processed foods and pesticides. However, despite all of our best efforts, short of living life in the Biosphere in Tucson, it is impossible to eliminate all exposure. Luckily there is help.

It is pretty clear that nutrients and vitamins during pregnancy can protect against the birth defects that may occur during exposure to chemicals during pregnancy. Jumping straight to the top of the list is folic acid. Folic acid may very well work because it helps to protect our DNA from damage during an extremely critical period of development in the womb.

This particular article lends further support to this finding. Researchers found that folic acid supplementation helped to protect against the adverse effects of smoking on fetal outcomes. It goes without saying, however, that smoking during pregnancy is an unconscionable act. However, if folic acid can protect against a deliberate exposures like the hundreds of chemicals found in cigarette smoke, than certainly it may help with the unavoidable exposures that come with living life outside of a bubble.