Why Does Garlic Increase Fetus Weight While in Utero?
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Garlic in Pregnancy
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Garlic can be used in some at-risk pregnancies to aid in fetal growth. Garlic has little effect on a normally developing fetus. However, in a situation where medical or environmental problems are causing growth restriction, garlic shows some effectiveness.
History of Garlic
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Garlic has been used for flavoring food and as a medicinal element for thousands of years. Prior to modern medicine, garlic was often used to treat a variety of disorders from infections to cancer. It's still considered a valuable herbal remedy.
Garlic contains powerful antioxidants--such as allium--which can reduce the effects of environmental toxins, aid in fighting infections and block fetal absorption of dangerous substances in at-risk pregnancies. Studies have shown several ways that garlic can help with fetal growth under compromised circumstances.
Growth Restriction
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Intrauterine growth restriction is usually caused by a variety of factors. The factors may include maternal illness or drug, alcohol or cigarette use during the pregnancy. Other potential factors are uterine problems, multiple fetuses, fetal infection, birth defects or chromosomal abnormality. Many of these causes can be controlled or eliminated. The use of garlic has been shown to aid in remedying fetal growth restriction associated with some of these conditions.
Studies on the Use of Garlic in Fetal Growth
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In a Korean study on rats, researchers Lee, Kang and Roh showed that garlic juice will reduce the effects of mercury on both maternal and fetal rats. The effects of mercury on a developing fetus can cause developmental delays, slow growth or even death. However, the study showed that the rats with mercury exposure--as well as garlic supplements--had similar weight gains to the unexposed group. There were also limited effects on brain and organs from the mercury. It is hoped that the same holds true for humans.
In another study, Makris, Thornton, Xu and Hennessy found that the anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic properties of garlic decreases the effects of preeclampsia in affected pregnant women, which allows for better growth in their fetuses.
A study on fetal pigs by Tatara, Sliwa, Dudek, Mosiewicz and Studzinski showed a higher weight gain when garlic was given in utero. They concluded the resulting weight gain was due to the improved gastrointestinal tract development and function.
Conclusion
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Based upon this research, it seems that garlic increases fetal growth primarily in at-risk pregnancies by reducing the absorption of toxins and by preventing infections and other conditions which can result in intrauterine growth restriction.
One factor that stands out in this research is the use of the allium portion of the garlic. In order for it to be effective, fresh garlic, garlic juice or extract should be used, rather than many of the varieties of garlic that is marketed only as a flavoring.
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