Abstract
Adverse health consequences from prenatal, perinatal and postnatal exposure to background levels of dioxins in the environment, including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), have been reported. In order to prevent or reduce such health risks, it is important to decrease maternal exposure to dioxins. This study investigated the effect of maternal supplementation with Chlorella on dioxin concentration levels in the blood during pregnancy. Twenty healthy pregnant women participated in the study. Ten received 6 g of Chlorella daily from gestational week 16-20 until the day of delivery (Chlorella group); ten others did not (control group). The blood PCDFs and PCDD/DFs concentrations in the Chlorella group significantly decreased during the supplementation period, from 2.20 ± 1.66 to 1.00 ± 0.61 pg-TEQ/g lipid (p<0.05) and from 5.48 ± 4.01 to 3.38 ± 1.96 pg-TEQ/g lipid ( p<0.05), respectively. The levels of dioxins in the control group did not change significantly. These results suggest that Chlorella supplementation may be effective in reducing dioxin exposure in pregnant woman.
Highlights
Dioxin is the common name for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)
We examined the effects of Chlorella supplementation on the blood dioxin levels of pregnant Japanese women
The findings showed the effectiveness of daily intake of Chlorella from gestational week 16-20 until the day of delivery for lowering of maternal blood dioxin levels
Summary
Dioxin is the common name for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Dioxin (PCDD/DFs) and dioxin-like-polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) are highly fat-soluble and bioaccumulate through the food chain [1,2]. As a result, they enter the human body mainly through food, and accumulate in the fatty tissues. They enter the human body mainly through food, and accumulate in the fatty tissues They are eliminated slowly from the body by metabolic degradation and excretion, primarily in the faeces. They may concentrate in human milk, both an important route of excretion and a primary source of nutrition for newborns. Pregnant and nursing women transfer dioxins to their babies transplacentally and by breast-feeding, i.e., by both prenatal and postnatal exposure
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
