Protective Benefits
Proper growth and development of a fetus while in utero is crucial to later health. A variety of factors may interfere with proper growth and development, and garlic has been shown experimentally to provide protective benefits. Clinical studies have examined the impact of garlic on animal fetuses, while in vitro studies have examined the effect of garlic on the human placenta.
Prevents Embryotoxicity
For research purposes, pregnant rats were given methylmercuric chloride, a form of organic mercury. Some of the rats then received garlic juice. The effectiveness of the garlic juice was directly related to the dose given. The toxic effects of the mercury were prevented or reversed. Maternal and fetal weight had dropped with the administration of the mercury, but increased when the garlic juice was given. The garlic dose also increased maternal and fetal survival, and less mercury was found in the blood and organs of the rats and their offspring. Investigators concluded that the amino acids in the garlic juice bound to the mercury, allowing it to pass out of the body, protecting essential enzyme systems of the rats and their offspring and protecting the brain from absorbing the mercury.
Prevents Malformation
Investigators also theorized that garlic helped prevent malformations during rapid organogenesis, those early days of crucial fetal development. Fetuses with even minor malformations usually show less than normal weight gain because they are less able to properly absorb and utilize nutrients. Conversely, creating an environment in which organogenesis occurs without impediment may lead to healthy and appropriate fetal weight gains.
Prevents Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Intrauterine growth restriction, IUGR, is a condition in which the fetus fails to grow and develop properly because there is a decrease in nitric oxide synthase activity in the placenta. Investigators added garlic extract to human placental tissue in a laboratory setting and found that nitric oxide synthase activity increased in an amount corresponding to the dose used. Investigators speculate that garlic may be a safe way to treat this vascular condition and prevent IUGR, allowing the fetus to gain weight appropriately.
Increases Growth
Garlic may help optimize growth. When aged garlic extract and allicin (a garlic component) were given to pregnant pigs, their offspring were larger than those of pregnant pigs that did not receive garlic. Investigators in this study concluded that garlic improved development of the digestive system, increasing growth.
Cautions
While normal amounts of dietary garlic have not been found harmful during pregnancy, you should never take any nutritional supplements or medications during pregnancy without first discussing them with your physician.
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