Gestational diabetes, the kind newly diagnosed in pregnant women, is akin to Type 2 diabetes in that it is caused by insulin resistance. After pregnancy, women who are genetically predisposed to Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop full-blown Type 2 diabetes in the future after a bout of Gestational diabetes.Researchers at Giresun University in Giresun, Turkey, looked at ways to predict insulin resistance before it can develop into diabetes during pregnancy.Their study, reported on in August 2014 in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, included...
37 pregnant women with a slight degree of insulin resistance,
39 women with full-blown Gestational diabetes, and
40 healthy controls.
It was found the blood levels of a molecule called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were correlated with insulin resistance at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. TNF-alpha, or cachexin, is released from the immune system and other cells throughout the body in order to fight viruses and prevent tumor formation.As part of the inflammatory response TNF-alpha can be a double-edged sword. Inflammation is part of the immune response to microbial invaders, but certain health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes are associated with inflammation. Several health problems including...
rheumatoid arthritis,
arthritis of the back,
inflammatory bowel disease,
psoriasis, and
asthma
are sometimes treated with anti-TNF-alpha medications. Following further research, could anti-TNF-alpha medications be used in the future to prevent or treat Gestational diabetes? Clinical research and treatment would have to be approached with great caution, because the drugs are new and some are still undergoing testing in nonpregnant women. At this point we can only speculate. In the mean time, perhaps a standardized test for insulin resistance measuring TNF-alpha could become part of clinical care during pregnancy.What we do know about preventing and treating diabetes during pregnancy - applies to every woman considering pregnancy...
having a body mass index below 25 is a good method of prevention, as well as
gaining only the amount of pregnancy weight recommended.
Most pregnancy weight gain should take place during the last three months. A diet rich in nutrients and low in fat, refined sugars and carbohydrates is a good idea for everyone at all times, and helpful for preventing diabetes developing during pregnancy - while producing a healthy baby. Lots of fruits and vegetables provide many nutrients and fiber with little sugar and few calories.Visit your family doctor, obstetrician, or midwife before conception to plan a healthy diet and exercise program.
No comments:
Post a Comment