For women, being pregnant has got to be one of the most beautiful things to happen to them. Although some women go through an easy breezy pregnancy, I can't say the same for some. There are those who go through a difficult pregnancy complete with all the medical conditions they never thought they'll ever have.
Some pregnant women develop diabetes on the course of their pregnancy. Some doctors tell them to reduce their carbohydrate intake to be able to manage it. However, according to a U.S. study, this diet may not necessarily help in getting the rid of the disease after the baby arrives.
Studies show that women having diets that have an increased number of animal proteins and low in carbohydrates actually increases their risk of developing diabetes. However, the researchers did not find any connection to increased diabetes risk in diets rich in plant based protein and fat.
Lead study author Dr. Cuilin Zhang, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health in Rockville, Maryland explained their finding by stating that the sources of protein and fats should be pondered on when you have a low-carb diet in order to control your blood sugar level. The researchers have directed their attention on the risk of type 2 diabetes, which is usually connected to obesity and aging and usually occurs when the body can't properly utilize or produce sufficient amount of insulin to convert sugar in the blood to energy.
Women involved in the study suffered from the disease condition when they were pregnant known as gestational diabetes or the increased level of blood sugar during pregnancy. It usually disappears after the baby is born but chances of having it again in future pregnancies are high. Studies have revealed that the risk is much higher for those women who reduce their carbohydrate intake and get their protein and fats from red meat and other animal source.
Dr. Zhang and those involved in the study followed 4,500 women with a known history of gestational diabetes who were asked to fill out a survey about their diet starting in 1991 and then every four years until 2001 to fully understand how diet can become a factor in future diabetes risk. Based from the results of the survey, the authors divided the group into 5 from the lowest to the highest compliance regarding diets focused on reducing carbohydrates and increasing proteins.
In general, 36% of women in the study, who adhered to the low-carb diet, are more likely to develop diabetes than those with the lowest compliance. The researchers also considered the diets based on how much food came from animals versus plants. Results showed that protein and fats from animals have 40% greater diabetes risk than the lowest amount.
