Antioxidants Article
Preeclampsia, that combination of high blood pressure or
hypertension and swelling (edema) and protein in the urine
(albuminuria, proteinuria), often develops in women susceptible
to it after the 20th week of pregnancy. Countless preeclampsia
prediction studies have been conducted to find out exactly what
causes such a disorder. Preeclampsia it seems ranges in severity
from mild to severe. According to preeclampsia prediction
studies, the mild form is sometimes called preteinuric
pregnancy-induced hypertension or proteinuric gestational
hypertension. This the most common form of preeclampsia that
occur in women.
Women who have mild preeclampsia must be monitored carefully by a
healthcare professional. This is so that preeclampsia prediction
studies can properly observe the development of the disorder and
in case of an onset, prompt treatment can be given.
Hospitalization is often the best mode of prevention which
preeclampsia prediction studies suggest.
Preeclampsia Prediction Studies and the Role of Combined
Antioxidants
Many preeclampsia prediction studies have been conducted but none
were able to find out the true cause of the disorder. In fact,
much of preeclampsia remains unknown to the medical community.
The only observation made by these preeclampsia prediction
studies which offer a clue to the origins of the disorder is that
it is more common in women during their first pregnancy.
Preeclampsia prediction studies have also made a connection of
the onset of the disorder in women who are obese, who have
diabetes, or who have gestational hypertension. Women who have
had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy are also at
increased risk. Other preeclampsia prediction studies also point
to calcium deficiencies, combined antioxidant deficiencies, older
maternal age, and job stress.
Combined Antioxidants may be Helpful
Combined antioxidant deficiency has been associated with
preeclampsia. In numerous controlled preeclampsia prediction
studies, oral combined antioxidant supplementation has been
studied as a possible preventive measure.
In one preliminary trial, women with a previous pregnancy
complicated by preeclampsia and high homocysteine were
supplemented with 5 mg and 250 mg of the combined antioxidants,
folic acid and vitamin B26, per day. The result was a successful
lowering of homocysteine levels. In another study, combined
antioxidants called lycopene may also play a role in preventing
preeclampsia from developing.
This combined antioxidant is actually a carotenoid found in
tomatoes, watermelon, and several other foods. The concentration
of this combined antioxidant in the blood has been found to be
significantly lower in women with preeclampsia than in healthy
pregnant women. This led nutrition scientists to conclude that
the combined antioxidant that is lycopene may have beneficial
effects on women who exhibit a propensity for the disorder.

