Nutritional Supplement Prevents Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes, or the development of high blood sugar during pregnancy, affects two to 10 pregnant women out of every 100 in U.S. It normally disappears after the baby's birth. However, if untreated, this condition can prove to be risky for both the mother and child.

Numbers higher than 130 mg/dl is taken as high blood sugar. Some symptoms include: thirstiness, headaches, frequent urination, problems in paying attention, blurred vision and weakness.

High levels of blood glucose or sugar in pregnancy can increase the risk of giving birth to large babies, thus leading to birth complications, preterm birth, babies with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and jaundice, seizures or stillbirth. Apart from these, gestational diabetes puts women at higher risks of developing type 2 diabetes later, compared to women not having any history of gestational diabetes.

A new study puts forward a solution for this problem - a nutritional supplement known as myo-inositol (MI). According to the researchers, the supplements can help prevent gestational diabetes, Reuters Health reported.

The nutrient that is produced in the human body is also found abundant in many food sources, including fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, meats and nuts.

For the study, researchers included more than 200 pregnant women. All the participants were at a high risk of diabetes. 

The participants were divided into two groups. One group received myo-inositol supplements along with folic acid, and the other group received only folic acid.

At the end of the study, researchers found the MI supplements protecting women against gestational diabetes. Only 6 percent of the women who took the supplements developed gestational diabetes, compared to women from the other group (15 percent). Apart from that, the supplements were found preventing the risk of giving birth to large babies. All women in the MI group gave birth to babies with normal weight, as compared to seven women from the other group.

The study has been published in Diabetes Care.