Ayurveda linked to lead poisoning in US women

Several women taking Ayurvedic medicines during pregnancy were detected with dangerous lead poisoning, US researches said today, following investigations of cases associated with the use of Ayurvedic medications made in India.

Flagging off concerns around the use of Ayurvedic medicines in pregnant women, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a report released today documented the cases found in New York city.

Exposure to lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous and reproductive systems.

This past year the New York City investigated six cases of lead poisoning associated with the use of 10 oral Ayurvedic medications made in India.

All six cases were in foreign-born pregnant women – five of whom were born in India -- assessed for lead exposure risk by health-care providers during prenatal visits, as required by New York state law.

"Foreign-born pregnant women might be at increased risk for lead poisoning. Reasons include use of certain foreign products and increased bone stores of lead from past exposures," said the report.

According to the report, one of the woman born in India, aged 30 years, took 12 capsules daily for four months of Pregnita, an Ayurvedic medication manufactured and purchased in India.

She had obtained Pregnita from a practitioner in India who prescribed it for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

Another woman born in India, aged 24 years, ingested two tablets of the Ayurvedic prenatal medication Garbhapal Ras daily to "keep her pregnancy and fetus healthy".

The third woman, born in India, aged 35 years, had a history of miscarriages and used four Ayurvedic medications approximately two months before pregnancy to promote fertility. She ceased use upon learning she was pregnant.

She had obtained the medications while in India from an Ayurvedic practitioner.

The fourth Indian woman, aged 33 years, began using five different Ayurvedic medications to improve fertility and one to improve skin complexion about seven months before her pregnancy. She used each product once or twice daily for approximately four months.

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