| Nutrition for pregnant women is a vital piece of | | | | successful obstetrics practice with a virtually 0% |
| staying healthy and low risk. Some of the most | | | | toxemia rate. This successful banishment of |
| life-threatening pregnancy complications are linked to | | | | preeclampsia for his clients was derived from a high |
| the lack of good eating habits or poor diet for the | | | | protein diet pregnancy. Brewer observed a significant |
| pregnant woman in question. Healthcare professionals | | | | decrease in toxemia rates with the daily consumption |
| are noticing more and more the effect of a high | | | | of 75 g of protein, the disease virtually disappeared |
| protein diet during pregnancy and a decrease in | | | | with higher levels of protein consumption (90-100 g |
| preeclampsia rates. | | | | per day). |
| What is Preeclampsia? | | | | Current protein recommendations from the American |
| Also known as Toximia, preeclampsia is a serious | | | | Academy of Obstetrics concerning diet for pregnant |
| illness, which effects 3-8% of all expectant mothers. | | | | woman advise only 50-60 g of protein daily. Brewer's |
| Preeclampsia causes blood vessels to constrict, which | | | | findings have largely been dismissed due to the lack |
| sends blood pressure soaring. The strain on heart, | | | | of a gold standard randomized clinical test in place to |
| kidney and other organs can be significant. If left | | | | support the link between nutrition for pregnant |
| untreated, it develops into eclampsia, which can | | | | women and preeclampsia. On the flipside, no study |
| cause seizures, coma and even death of both | | | | has been conducted to refute Dr. Brewer's findings. |
| mother and child. | | | | Other Dietary Links |
| Unfortunately, medical science has yet to discover a | | | | As of yet, no cure or treatment is recognized as a |
| cause or cure other than the immediate birth of the | | | | result from diet alone. One clinical study that holds up |
| baby. In severe or rapidly developing cases, this can | | | | to peer reviews does refute the need to include salt |
| mean the delivery of a baby that is several weeks | | | | on the list of things to avoid during pregnancy. Salt |
| premature. | | | | added in moderation according to taste has been |
| Hope on the Horizon for Preeclampsia | | | | shown to lower blood pressure, which is the opposite |
| New studies and nutrition for pregnant women trends | | | | of its anticipated affect. |
| have led many healthcare professionals to believe | | | | Salt consumption according to taste has also been |
| there is at least a link and possible treatment to be | | | | shown to lower toxemia rates. Yet in spite of these |
| found by tweaking the recommended diet for | | | | findings, women are still being advised that salt is one |
| pregnant women. | | | | of the things to avoid during pregnancy to achieve |
| Dr. Brewer, known for his 12-egg "cure", had a | | | | optimal nutrition for pregnant women. |