Carbon in air pollution may cross placenta, affect baby's health

Carbon particles in polluted air can travel through a mother's placenta to the foetal side, which may lead to future health complications as the baby develops, according to a study. A team of researchers including those from Hasselt University in Belgium identified the presence of black carbon particles that are part of combustion-derived particulate matter in all the placenta samples they screened from 28 new mothers.

The study suggests that the placenta, which is a temporary organ that presents a natural barrier between mother and foetus during the entire pregnancy may not be as impermeable to environmental pollutants as thought before.

The researchers used a new scanning technique to find carbon particles accumulated on the foetus-side of the placenta, close to where the umbilical cord begins.

The carbon particle load found in the placenta was positively associated with the residential exposure of the mothers to the pollutants during gestation, the study noted.

The results, according to the researchers, indicate that particulate matter in the environment can cross the placental barrier towards the foetus, even during early and vulnerable stages of pregnancy.

The researchers caution that the direct effects induced by combustion-related pollutants in the environment "are at least partially responsible for observed detrimental health effects from early life on-wards."

"If you think that these are problems of Asian mega-cities, read on -- data presented in this paper were collected in Belgium!" tweeted Gregor Kos, an atmospheric analytical chemist at Concordia University in Canada, who was not involved in the study.

A study conducted last year by researchers at Queen Mary University of London in the UK found evidence of tiny particles of carbon, typically created by burning fossil fuels, in placentas.

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Pregnancy-associated malaria vaccine found safe in human trials

A team of researchers claimed to have developed a vaccine that can help protect against pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) caused by infection with Plasmodium falciparum. It is reported that PAM claims some 220,000 lives each year. According to a study, the new vaccine was found safe to use in an early clinical trial.

The vaccine, developed by a team of researchers  passed the test by inducing the right antibody response in the blood in phase 1 clinical trial. In the study, the researchers examined the effect of the vaccine among 36 German male and female volunteers.


“It is a great milestone for us to be able to show that our vaccine is completely safe and induces the exact antibody response in the blood we want because it is the immune response that has been shown to be connected with protection from pregnancy malaria,” said one of the researcher.

During the trial, the researchers, who injected the participants with the vaccine, were able to detect the right immune response with antibodies against the malaria parasite in the blood, and the subjects showed no serious side effects.

According to the researcher, their next step in the process is a phase two clinical trial, which will show whether the vaccine is still safe, but also whether it can prevent disease.

“Concurrently, we have developed a method for transforming the vaccine into a virus-like particle. This increases the antibody response. But the crux of the matter is whether it is sufficient for attacking all the different forms of the protein hook found in the malaria parasite,” the researcher noted.

Malaria during pregnancy poses a serious threat to both mother and her developing foetus. Women experiencing pregnancy-associated malaria may show normal symptoms of malaria, or exhibit more mild symptoms, but may also be asymptomatic.

WHO recommends a package of interventions for preventing and controlling malaria during pregnancy. This includes promotion and use of insecticide-treated nets, appropriate case management with prompt, effective treatment. It also recommends administration of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in areas with moderate to high transmission of malaria, such as Africa.

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Pregnant women should avoid eating mulethi / liquorice

Eating large amounts of liquorice, commonly known as mulethi in India, during pregnancy may adversely affect the development of your child’s brain, a new study has warned.

In the study, youths that were exposed to large amounts of liquorice in the womb performed less well than others in cognitive reasoning tests carried out by a psychologist. The difference was equivalent to about seven IQ points.

Those exposed to liquorice also performed less well in tasks measuring memory capacity and according to parental estimates, they had more ADHD-type problems than others. With girls, puberty had started earlier and advanced further.

Researchers, including those from the University of Helsinki in Finland, compared 378 youths of about 13 years whose mothers had consumed “large amounts” or “little/no” liquorice during pregnancy.

In the study a large amount was defined as over 500 milligrammes (mg) and little/no as less than 249 mg glycyrrhizin per week.
These cutoffs are not based on health effects. 500 mg glycyrrhizin corresponds on average to 250 grammes liquorice.

Researchers suggest that pregnant women and women planning pregnancy should be informed of the harmful effects that products containing glycyrrhizin - such as liquorice and salty liquorice - may have on the foetus.

Glycyrrhizin is one of many factors that affect the development of a foetus but it is impossible to say whether it was glycyrrhizin expressly that affected the development of a certain individual.

As a result of animal experiments, the biological mechanism of the effects of liquorice is well known.

Glycyrrhizin intensifies the effects of stress hormone cortisol by inhibiting the enzyme that inactivates cortisol. While cortisol is essential to the development of a foetus, it is detrimental in large amounts.

It has long been known that glycyrrhizin causes higher blood pressure and shorter pregnancies in humans, but such long-lasting effects on the foetus have not been proven before.

The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

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Foetus shows left-handed movements when mom is stressed

Foetuses are more likely to show left-handed movements in the womb when their mothers are stressed, according to a new research.

Researchers at Durham University and Lancaster University in the UK said their findings are an indicator that maternal stress could have a temporary effect on unborn babies.

However, the researchers emphasised that the study was not evidence that maternal stress led to fixed left-handedness in infants after birth.

Using 4D ultrasound scans, researchers observed 57 scans of 15 healthy foetuses, recording 342 facial touches.

The foetuses were scanned at four different stages between 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Researchers also asked the mothers of these babies how much stress they had experienced in the four weeks between each of the scans.

The researchers found that the more stress mothers reported, the more frequently foetuses touched their faces with their left hands.

A significant number of touches by the foetuses of stressed mothers were done with their left, rather than right hands - therefore foetal touches of their own faces, indicated a left-handed tendency.

As right-handedness is more common in the general population, the researchers had expected to see more of a bias towards right-handed movements in the foetuses as they grew older.

The high percentage of left-handed behaviour, observed only when mothers reported being stressed, led them to conclude that maternal stress has an effect on the lateral behaviour of the babies they scanned.

"Our research suggests that stressed mothers have foetuses who touch their face relatively more with their left hand," said lead author Dr Nadja Reissland, in Durham University's Department of Psychology.

"This suggests maternal stress could be having on effect on the child's behaviour in the womb and highlights the importance of reducing maternal stress in pregnancy.

"Such measures may include increased emphasis on stopping stressful work early, the inclusion of relaxation classes in pre-natal care and involvement of the whole family in the pre-natal period.

"While we observed a higher degree of left-handed behaviour in the foetuses of stressed mothers than had been expected, we are not saying that maternal stress leads to a child becoming left-handed after birth, as there could be a number of reasons for this.

"The research does suggest, however, that a foetus can detect when a mother is stressed and that it responds to this stress," said Reissland.

The findings are published in the journal Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition.

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Nutritional Facts about Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables in existence. It is the best vegetable provider of folic acid, which is necessary for blood cell formation and growth, as well as in preventing liver disease. Folic acid is also important for pregnant women, as it helps in the prevention of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in the developing foetus.

Asparagus is very low in calories; each stalk contains fewer than 4 calories. It contains no fat or cholesterol, and is very low in sodium. It is a great source of potassium and fibre and vitamins B6, A and C, and thiamine.

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10 ways til or sesame seeds add more to your life than just flavour!

Sesame or til has more health benefits than most other seeds. It is one of the most common ingredients used in kitchens all around the world including India. While we do relish a tasty til ka ladoo, til modak, til rice, did you know that our ancestors were right on the money when they made sure to include til and its derivatives in almost all aspects of life? Sesame has been found to have a number of benefits apart from just adding colour, flavour and texture to your food.

Here are the top ten benefits of the tiny seed:

Lowers bad cholesterol

Sesame seeds are rich in oleic acid, a potent mono-unsaturated fatty acid which lowers the ‘bad cholesterol’ or LDL cholesterol in the blood and increases the level of ‘good cholesterol’ or HDL in the body. Thereby helping you maintain a healthy lipid profile. All this in turn protects you from heart disease, stroke and atherosclerosis.

Protects you from cancer

Research has found that sesame has very potent anti-cancer properties. It has been found to be effective against a number of cancers like lung cancer, colon cancer, leukaemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. There have been a number of papers published on its efficacy in stopping the proliferation of blood vessels supplying the tumour, in changing the way white blood cells (or your immune system cells) are attracted to chemo attractants (substances that are attracted to cancer causing agents), in reducing the rate of infiltration of the cancer etc. All these benefits are brought about by a potent antioxidant known as sesamin. Sesamin stops and slows down the regeneration of cancer cells and stops the production of chemicals that are linked to their survival. [1]

Helps reduce anxiety

Rich in niacin, an essential vitamin, and sesame seeds are known to reduce anxiety. With almost 28% of the total necessary daily intake of niacin present in 100 grams of the seeds, it helps in improving the GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) activity inside the brain, thereby reducing anxiety and neurosis. 

Keeps your heart muscles healthy

Sesame seeds are extremely rich in essential minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. These minerals help to regulate cardiac muscle activity making them stronger and beat at regular intervals.

Helps maintain healthy bones in children

Sesame seeds are rich in dietary proteins and very good quality of amino acids that are essential for the growth of bones in children. Just 100 g of the seed gives approximately eighteen grams of proteins. This combination is great for the uptake and use of proteins and amino acids by the child’s body, helping them grow stronger and better.

Helps keep pregnant mothers and growing foetuses healthy

Packed with folic acid, sesame seeds are great for pregnant mothers. Since folic acid is essential in the proper DNA synthesis in growing foetuses and improves the all round health of a pregnant mother, sesame seeds and their derivatives like sesame oil lends greatly to the health of an expectant mother. 

Makes a great massage oil for babies

While the benefits of massaging a baby after birth is still debatable, a number of Indian cultures still practice it. According to a study, sesame oil or til oil massage showed to improve the bone strength and their growth in babies. It also showed that the child was able to sleep better after a massage with the oil. According to Ayurveda, sesame oil is said to have a relaxing effect on a child and is cooling in nature. Its innate components also add to the healthy growth of the baby. 

Beats osteoporosis

Due to the zinc and calcium present in sesame seeds, they are great in preventing osteoporosis. The combination of essential minerals and vitamins help in the proper assimilation of calcium by the body, and zinc helps in preventing excessive leeching of calcium into the body.

Improves the efficacy of certain diabetes drugs

A study published  , found that sesame helps to reduce blood pressure and has an anti glycaemic effect with up to 36% of reduction of the glucose levels in the blood when combined with the widely used anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide.  So for a type 2 diabetic, including sesame seeds is a great idea to fight the disease naturally. 

Helps recovery after a stroke

Studies on animal models found that sesame seeds are great in restoring the blood flow to parts of the brain that have lost circulation due to a stroke. This study is based on the fact that the high amounts of magnesium and zinc present in the seed help in strengthening one’s blood circulation and neural impulses.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

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