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Garlic for prevention of pre-eclampsia?

JR

Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy. It occurs in up to 8% of women who experience increased blood pressure and protein in the urine. It’s possible that garlic may lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia.

Or, maybe not.

One website refers to a study where “taking standardized garlic tablets throughout pregnancy may decrease the chances of these types of complications at birth.” But no reference citation is given — although the reader is told to contact the website for more information. I did, and if there is anything to report you will read it here.

For now, be skeptical.

The Cochrane Collaboration concluded, “There is insufficient evidence to recommend increased garlic intake for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.”

Illustration: Fabulous Foods

9/23/06 21:05 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

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