Further Evidence showing that certain Antidepressant Medications Increase Risks of Birth Defects

Obstet Gynecol. 2011;118:111-120.

This is the latest study showing that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) increase the risk of heart defects in newborns. The first report to raise a red flag was published in the New England Journal of Medicine back in 1996 (Chambers et al. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:1010-1015).

Women who use SSRIs, particularly fluoxetine and paroxetine for depression while pregnant showed a 2-fold and 4-fold increased risk to ventricular heart defects in the newborns.

So far, these two specific SSRIs have been implicated and other SSRIs seem to be ok in the statistical analysis. There was also a statistically significant association between citalopram (a SSRI) and neural tube defects.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders have been observed to be nearly 10 times more common in SSRI-exposed offspring than in unexposed offspring. Therefore, expecting moms on SSRIs need to be especially cautious with alcohol use in pregnancy.


Yours in Health,
Ian Koo, ND

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Even One Drink a Day Increases your Risk of Breast Cancer

Heart disease has been a leading cause of death in the North American population and for the last decade or so, we've heard about the benefits that alcohol provides. Health professionals have been advocating drinking a glass or two or red wine for its heart healthy properties. Numerous studies have shown that alcohol itself benefits the cardiovascular system in moderate amounts. What has been lost in this information is that alcohol consumption affects cancer risks and heart disease risks in an inverse relationship - that is, moderate drinking lowers the incidence of heart disease, but increases the risk on developing cancer.

The latest research from the U.S National Cancer Institute shows that even moderate drinking increases the risk of a woman developing breast cancer.

The study found that the respondents who consumed:

• Less than one drink a day had a seven per cent increase in relative risk.
• One to two drinks a day had a 32 per cent increase.
• Three or more drinks a day had a 51 per cent increase.

This latest study focuses on breast cancer, but we know that alcohol increases the risk of many types of cancer. As an ND, I know these risks and I try to educate and counsel my patients as to what I think is in the best interest of each patient that I see. It is important to look at each patient's family medical history as well as current risk factors to determine what is best for each individual.