Researchers say taking antioxidants during pregnancy may prevent birth defects in babies born to women who abuse alcohol. When pregnant mice were
Researchers say taking antioxidants during pregnancy may prevent birth defects in babies born to women who abuse alcohol. When pregnant mice were exposed to ethanol and also given an antioxidant, researchers saw a 36-percent reduction in limb malformations in the offspring. Ethanol is the intoxicating agent in liquor.
Researcher say the nutritional status of alcoholics isn’t the best, people who are alcoholic by definition can’t control their drinking and often cannot quit drinking during pregnancy.Researchers say the idea of adding antioxidants to alcoholic beverages has been proposed as a way of helping women who are unable to quit drinking during pregnancy. In a study conducted high amounts of alcohol were used in order to mimic the blood alcohol level of chronic alcoholics. It was found that virtually all children born with full-blown fetal alcohol syndrome, with major malformations caused by alcohol, are born to chronic alcoholics.
Thus researchers conclude saying this is a “huge problem” and requires urgent attention.
