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Prenatal Nutrition Can Prevent Adult Diabetes
by Ralph E Halsey
http://www.rehnutrition.com
In early 2005, the Joslin Diabetes Center announced the
results of a research project studying the effects of poor
prenatal nutrition on developing babies. Researchers
deliberately fed a group of pregnant mice in their third
trimester a diet that was nutritionally deficient.
As expected, the mice who were born to malnourished mothers
were low birthweight. After birth, all the baby mice were
fed a healthy diet, and within a few weeks, the low birth
weight babies had caught up with their peers and seemed
perfectly healthy. They weren't, though. After reaching
adulthood, the majority of mice from the malnourished group
developed Type 2 diabetes. While low birthweight has been
known as a risk factor for the development of diabetes, the
Joslin study established an unmistakable link between
prenatal nutrition and diabetes.
For generations, mothers warned their daughters about the
things they ate during pregnancy, relating stories about
children developing allergies to foods that were consumed
too often or other old wives' tales. Modern science turned
its nose up at the notion, instead fostering the belief that
no matter how poorly the mother ate, the growing fetus
wouldn't be affected. It was believed that the needed
nutrients would simply be taken from the mother's stores.
The damage done to the pancreas in utero seems to be
irreversible, even with proper nutrition after birth. In
addition, while low birthweight babies are at risk for
developing diabetes as adults because of pancreatic
function, high birth weight babies (over 8 pounds) are also
at increased risk because they're resistant to insulin. It
seems that too much is just as dangerous as too little.
Diabetes is a case in point. The study done at Joslin found
that poor nutrition apparently damaged the fetus' pancreas
in utero. No amount of healthy eating after birth could
repair that damage.
At least 7 servings of fruit and vegetables At least 9
servings of whole grains, rice or pasta At least 4 servings
of dairy or milk At least 2 servings of protein - fish,
eggs, meat or nuts.
7 or more servings of fruit and vegetables 9 or more
servings of whole grains, rice or pasta 4 or more servings
of dairy, milk, yogurt or cheese 2 or more servings of
protein - fish, eggs, meat or nuts At least 400 mcg f folic
acid (vitamin B) Low dose iron supplements A good
multivitamin At least 6 8 ounce glasses of water a day.
Most nutritionists and doctors also agree that the North
American diet doesn't provide adequate amounts of some key
nutrients. That's why most doctors will prescribe a prenatal
vitamin that provides extra iron and folic acid, both of
which are vital for your healthy pregnancy and your baby's
development.
A healthy diet that is low in fat while providing all the
recommended daily nutrients can help prevent gestational
diabetes even in those women who are at risk of developing
it.
It may be a good idea to ask your obstetrician or midwife
for a referral to a good nutritionist. He or she can help
you put together a healthy eating plan that will carry both
you and your baby through pregnancy in the full bloom of
health.
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