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Chlorella pyrenoidosa Supplementation Reduces the Risk of Anemia, Proteinuria and Edema in Pregnant Women

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Abstract

Pregnancy anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) are common and potentially dangerous disorder in human pregnancy, and nutritional status of pregnant women is one of the leading causes. Chlorella contains large quantities of folate, vitamin B-12 and iron, and can help improve anemia and hypertensive disorder. Our objective was to investigate the preventive effects of Chlorella supplement on pregnancy anemia and PIH in Japanese pregnant women. A total of 70 pregnant women were placed into the control group (n = 38) or the Chlorella group (n = 32). The subjects in the Chlorella group were supplemented daily from 12th–18th wk of gestation until delivery with 6 g of Chlorella supplement. The proportion of anemic (hemoglobin level < 11 g/dL) subjects in the Chlorella group were significantly lower compared with the control group at the second and third trimesters. Additionally, in the Chlorella group, the incidences of proteinuria and edema, signs of PIH, were significantly lower during the third trimester. These results suggest that Chlorella supplementation significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy associated anemia, proteinuria and edema. Chlorella supplement may be useful as a resource of natural folate, vitamin B-12 and iron for pregnant women.

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Abbreviations

IL:

interleukin

iNOs:

inducible nitric oxide synthetase

NF-κB:

nuclear factor of κB

NO:

nitric oxide

PIH:

pregnancy-induced hypertension

RDA:

recommended daily allowance

Th1:

T-helper-1

Th2:

T-helper-2

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Acknowledgments

Sun Chlorella A tablets used in this study were provided without charge by Sun Chlorella Corp. (Kyoto, Japan).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Saiseikai Nara Hospital, 4-643 Hachijo, Nara, Nara, 630-8145, Japan

    Shiro Nakano

  2. Nakano Shiro Ladies Clinic, 6-20-1 Suzaku, Nara, Nara, 631-0806, Japan

    Shiro Nakano

  3. Department of Bioresource Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan

    Hideo Takekoshi & Masuo Nakano

  4. Hokkaido Medicinal Plant Research Institute, 1-4 Shimoaikappu, Ashoro-cho, Ashoro-gun, Hokkaido, 089-3707, Japan

    Hideo Takekoshi & Masuo Nakano

  5. Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai-Midorimachi, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan

    Masuo Nakano

Authors
  1. Shiro Nakano
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  2. Hideo Takekoshi
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  3. Masuo Nakano
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Correspondence to Masuo Nakano.

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Nakano, S., Takekoshi, H. & Nakano, M. Chlorella pyrenoidosa Supplementation Reduces the Risk of Anemia, Proteinuria and Edema in Pregnant Women. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 65, 25–30 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-009-0145-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-009-0145-9

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