“A good diet cannot guarantee a good pregnancy outcome, it makes an important contribution”

Good nutrition during pre-conception

– Can help us avoid:

• Neural tube defects

➢ Related to insufficient folate intake
➢ Affects the embryo in the first few weeks
➢ Adequate folate before conception can reduce the risks

• Teratogens
➢ Teratogens are substances that causes birth defects
➢ Caused by drinking of alcohol
➢ High intake of vitamin A

• Other possible hazards

➢ Smoking, caffeine, medications

• Small for gestational age neonate

➢ Due to inadequate nutrition for cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy
during pregnancy

A. Promotion of Nutritional Health During Pregnancy

1. Setting Nutritional Outcomes

In setting nutritional outcome, the following aspects that will be mentioned below should
be followed with the pregnant woman and her family for nine months

– Woman’s lifestyle
• The woman has to stop drinking alcoholic beverages and stop smoking
• The woman has to have all the effort to keep fit and healthy by having a healthy
lifestyle
– Family Considerations
• “Meal planning is best when whole family is included”
– Financial Considerations
• Not only starchy foods
• Help secure available financial assistance
• Inform about nutritional aid programs
– Cultural Desires
• Choose foods that are individually and culturally flavored

1. Managing Common Problems Affecting Nutritional Health

– Nausea and Vomiting

 Causes:
• Sensitivity to ↑ level of gonadotropin hormone
• ↑ High progesterone and estrogen levels
• Lowered blood sugar
• Lack of pyridoxine
• Diminished gastric motility

Management:
• Acupressure, anti-motion sickness wrist bands, or avoiding fluid with meals
• Increasing carbohydrate intake
• Dry crackers or sourball candies before rising
• Compensate for missed meals
• Not to eat 12 hours longer
• Late evening snack
• Caution against self medication!

– Cravings

No one knows for sure what causes cravings although some medical professionals
believe the cravings may be the body's way of getting certain vitamins and nutrients.
Many women tend to crave foods while pregnant that they didn't even like before
they became pregnant which may indicate that the cravings could be hormone driven.

Management
• Support cravings if it includes the healthy type of food
• Encourage a woman to stop eating the nonfood substance, it may not be effective
because the habit may be deeply ingrained.
• Inform your doctor/midwife/pregnancy-professional immediately. While you
may feel shameful or confused, s/he can assist you in identifying any underlying
physiological explanations and/or provide a referral to an appropriate healthcare
professional.
• Request that blood work be completed to rule out any clear medical explanation.
• Seek supportive behavioral services (e.g., a therapist) to curb the underlying
triggers that are leading up to these episodes. You can start with asking your
general practitioner/nurse or look on the back of your insurance card for a referral
number. Most people do not realize that behavioral health services are typically
covered by your insurance.
• Know that there is help and that with the appropriate services, pica is treatable.
– Pyrosis

The official medical names for Heartburn are Acid Indigestion or Pyrosis. Heartburn
is a condition that makes many pregnant women uncomfortable. What causes the
burning sensation and other uncomfortable symptoms of Heartburn? The burning
sensation in the throat and/or chest is caused by stomach acid backing up into the
esophagus. (The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the
stomach.) Having Heartburn on a regular basis (more than twice per week) can lead
 to more serious conditions, such as GERD (GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease), or
Esophageal Erosion, (ulcers or sores begin to develop in the esophagus because of
the acid being in the esophagus, where it does not belong). There are two main
reasons that pregnant women are more likely to get Heartburn. First, because of
increased hormone levels which can increase the amount of stomach acid in the
stomach. The other main reason for an increased probability of a pregnant woman
getting Heartburn is because especially, later in the pregnancy, when the fetus is
larger because the stomach is forced upward and crowded to accommodate the
growing fetus. This means that the stomach does not have the same amount of room
for the normal amount of acid in the stomach.

Management

• Eat small meals frequently

• Sleep with two pillows and don’t lie down immediately after eating
• Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel) or a combination of aluminum and
magnesium hydroxide (Maalox) may be prescribed for relief; if not relieved
cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac)

– Hypercholesterolemia

In some cases, pregnancy can cause extremely high cholesterol levels in people with
healthy lifestyles. According to the American Pregnancy Association, or APA, there
are numerous possible complications during pregnancy, including gestational
diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and urinary tract infections. Some women
also experience extremely high cholesterol levels during pregnancy. Uncontrolled
cholesterol during pregnancy may be due to the effects of elevated levels of estrogen
and progesterone on the liver. In most cases, cholesterol levels return to normal after
delivery, and especially after breastfeeding begins. The long-term risk of heart
disease from uncontrolled cholesterol levels for nine or 10 months is believed to be
relatively minimal, although this has not been confirmed by scientific studies.
Cholesterol levels among pregnant women are usually at their highest during the
third trimester.

Management

• Exercising daily
• Eating oat cereal
• Broiling meat rather than frying
• Using a minimum salad oils
• Substituting omega-3 products for butter
• Eating fish high in omega-3 oil,(e.g. salmon)
• Urge to check with health care provider

1. Common Discomforts During Pregnancy and its Management

– Pregnancy Breast Changes

Most pregnant women will feel some changes in their breasts. Your breasts will increase
in size as your milk glands enlarge and the fat tissue increases, causing breast firmness
and tenderness in the first and last few months of pregnancy. Bluish veins may also
appear as your blood supply increases. Your nipples will also darken and a thick fluid
called colostrum may leak from your breasts. All of these breast changes are normal.
Recommendations:
• Wear a bra that provides firm support.
• Choose cotton bras or those made from other natural fibers.
• Increase your bra size as your breasts become larger. Your bra should fit well
without irritating your nipples. Try maternity or nursing bras, which provide
more support and can be used after pregnancy if you choose to breastfeed.
• To ease discomfort and maintain support, try wearing a bra during the night and
day.
• Tuck a cotton handkerchief or gauze pad into each bra cup to absorb leaking
fluid. Nursing pads, which you can buy in a pharmacy, are also available. Make
sure to change these pads as needed to prevent irritation to the underlying skin.
• Clean your breasts with warm water only; do not use soap or other products since
they can cause dryness.
– Pregnancy Fatigue
Your growing baby requires extra energy, which may make you feel tired. Sometimes,
feeling tired may be a sign of anemia (low iron in the blood), which is common during
pregnancy.
Recommendations:
• Get plenty of rest; go to bed early at night and try taking naps during the day.
• Maintain a regular schedule when possible but pace your activities; balance
activity with rest when needed.
• Exercise daily to increase your energy level.
• If you think anemia may be a concern, ask your health care provider to test your
blood.

– Pregnancy Nausea or Vomiting

An upset stomach is one of the most common discomforts during pregnancy. Nausea is a
result of hormonal changes and most often occurs early in pregnancy until your body
adjusts to the increased production of hormones.
Nausea can begin in early pregnancy, but is usually gone by the fourth month. It can
occur at any time of the day but may be worse in the morning when your stomach is
empty (this is often called "morning sickness") or if you are not eating enough.
Recommendations:
 • If nausea is a problem in the morning, eat dry foods like cereal, toast or crackers
before getting out of bed. Or, try eating a high-protein snack such as lean meat or
cheese before going to bed (protein takes longer to digest).
• Eat small meals or snacks every 2-3 hours rather than three large meals. Eat
slowly and chew your food completely.
• Sip on fluids throughout the day. Avoid large amounts of fluids at one time. Try
cool, clear fruit juices, such as apple or grape juice.
• Avoid spicy, fried, or greasy foods.
• If you are bothered by strong smells, eat foods cold or at room temperature and
avoid odors that bother you.
• Talk to your doctor about taking vitamin B6 or other treatments.
• Contact your health care provider if your vomiting is constant or so severe that
you can't keep fluids or foods down. This can cause dehydration and should be
treated right away.
– Pregnancy Frequent Urination
During the first trimester, your growing uterus and growing baby press against your
bladder, causing a frequent need to urinate. This will happen again in the third trimester
when the baby's head drops into the pelvis before birth.
Recommendations:
• Avoid tight-fitting underwear, pants, or pantyhose.
• Contact your health care provider if your urine burns or stings. This can be a sign
of a urinary tract infection and should be treated right away.
– Pregnancy Headaches
Headaches can be caused by tension, congestion, constipation, or in some cases,
preeclampsia. They can occur anytime during pregnancy.
Recommendations:
• Apply an ice pack to your forehead or the back of your neck.
• Rest, sit, or lie quietly in a low-lit room. Close your eyes and try to release the
tension in your back, neck, and shoulders.
• Try Tylenol (acetaminophen) occasionally. Ask your health care provider before
taking any other medications for your headaches.
• Contact your health care provider if you have nausea with your headaches, if
your headache is severe and does not go away, or if you have blurry vision,
double vision, or blind spots
– Pregnancy Bleeding and Swollen Gums
The increase in your circulation and supply of certain hormones may cause tenderness,
swelling and bleeding of gums.
Recommendations:
• Take proper care of your teeth and gums. Brush and floss regularly.
 • Get a dental checkup early in your pregnancy to make sure your teeth and mouth
are healthy. See your dentist if you have a problem.
– Pregnancy Constipation
Your hormones as well as vitamins and iron supplements may cause constipation
(difficulty passing stool or incomplete or infrequent passage of hard stools). Pressure on
your rectum from your uterus may also cause constipation.
Recommendations:
• Add more fiber (such as whole grain foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables) to your
diet.
• Drink plenty of fluids daily (at least 6-8 glasses of water and 1-2 glasses of fruit
or prune juice).
• Drink warm liquids, especially in the morning.
• Exercise daily.
• Set a regular time for bowel movements; avoid straining when having a bowel
movement.
• Discuss the use of a laxative with your health care providers; they may
recommend natural fiber laxatives or stool softeners.
– Pregnancy Dizziness (Feeling Faint)
Dizziness can occur anytime middle to late pregnancy. The pregnancy hormone
progesterone dilates blood vessels so blood tends to pool in the legs. In addition, more
blood is going to your growing uterus. This can cause a decrease in blood pressure,
especially when changing positions, resulting in dizziness.
Faintness and dizziness can also be affected by poor eating habits. When your blood
sugar levels are too low, you may feel faint.
Recommendations:
• Move around often when standing for long periods of time.
• Try lying on your left side to rest.
• Try to move slowly when standing from a sitting position; avoid sudden
movements.
• Eat regular meals to prevent low blood sugar.
– Difficulty Sleeping During Pregnancy
Finding a comfortable resting position can become difficult later in pregnancy.
Recommendations:
• Don't take sleep medication.
• Try drinking warm milk at bedtime.
• Try taking a warm shower or bath before bedtime.
• Use extra pillows for support while sleeping. Lying on your side, place a pillow
under your head, abdomen, behind your back and between your knees to prevent
 muscle strain and help you get the rest you need. You will probably feel better
lying on your left side; this improves circulation of blood throughout your body.
– Pregnancy Heartburn or Indigestion
Heartburn (indigestion) is a burning feeling that starts in the stomach and seems to rise to
the throat. It occurs during pregnancy because your digestive system works more slowly
due to changing hormone levels. Also, your enlarged uterus can crowd your stomach,
pushing stomach acids upward.
Recommendations:
• Eat several small meals each day instead of three large meals.
• Eat slowly.
• Drink warm liquids such as herbal tea.
• Avoid fried, spicy, or rich foods, or any foods that seem to give you indigestion.
• Don't lie down directly after eating.
• Keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of your bed. Or, place pillows
under your shoulders to prevent stomach acids from rising into your chest.
• Don't mix fatty foods with sweets in one meal and try to separate liquids and
solids at meals.
• Try heartburn relievers such as Tums, Maalox, Titralac, Mylanta, Riopan, or
Gaviscon.
– Pregnancy Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that appear as painful lumps on the anus. They may form
as a result of increased circulation and pressure on the rectum and vagina from your
growing baby.
Recommendations:
• Try to avoid constipation; constipation can cause hemorrhoids and will make
them more painful.
• Try to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time; change your position
frequently.
• Make an effort not to strain during a bowel movement.
• Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the area or take a warm bath a few times a
day to provide relief.
• Avoid tight-fitting underwear, pants, or pantyhose.
• Discuss the use of a hemorrhoid treatment with your health care provider.
– Pregnancy Varicose Veins
An increased volume of blood and the pressure of your growing uterus can slow your c
irculation, sometimes causing the veins in your legs to become larger or swollen.
Recommendations:
Although varicose veins are usually hereditary, here are some preventive tips:
 • Avoid standing or sitting in one place for long periods. It's important to get up
and move around often.
• Avoid remaining in any position that might restrict the circulation in your legs
(such as crossing your legs while sitting).
• Elevate your legs and feet while sitting.
• Exercise regularly.
• Wear support hose but avoid any leg wear that is too tight.
– Pregnancy Leg Cramps
Pressure from your growing uterus can cause leg cramps or sharp pains down your legs.
Recommendations:
• Be sure to eat and drink foods and beverages rich in calcium (such as milk,
broccoli or cheese).
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
• Try wearing support hose but avoid any leg wear that is too tight.
• Elevate your legs when possible; avoid crossing your legs.
• Exercise daily.
• Stretch your legs before going to bed.
• Avoid lying on your back, since the weight of your body and the pressure of your
enlarged uterus can slow the circulation in your legs, causing cramps.
• Gently stretch any muscle that becomes cramped by straightening your leg,
flexing your foot, and pulling your toes toward you.
• Try massaging the cramp, or apply heat or a hot water bottle to the sore area.
– Pregnancy Nasal Congestion
You may have a "stuffy nose" or feel like you have a cold. Pregnancy hormones
sometimes dry out the lining in your nose, making it inflamed and swollen.
Recommendations:
• Apply a warm, wet washcloth to your cheeks, eyes, and nose to reduce
congestion.
• Don't use nose sprays; they can aggravate your symptoms.
• Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6-8 glasses of fluids a day) to thin mucus.
• Elevate your head with an extra pillow while sleeping to prevent mucus from
blocking your throat.
• Use a humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture to the air.
– Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy
Shortness of breath can occur due to increased upward pressure of the uterus
Recommendations:
• When walking, slow down and rest a few moments.
 • Raise your arms over your head (this lifts your rib cage and allows you to breathe
in more air).
• Avoid lying flat on your back, and try sleeping with your head elevated.
– Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are a type of scar tissue that forms when the skin's normal elasticity is not
enough for the stretching required during pregnancy. They usually appear on the
abdomen and can also appear on the breasts, buttocks or thighs. While they won't
disappear completely, stretch marks will fade after delivery. Stretch marks affect the
surface under the skin and are usually not preventable.
Recommendations:
• Be sure that your diet contains enough sources of the nutrients needed for healthy
skin (especially vitamins C and E).
• Apply lotion to your skin to keep it soft and reduce dryness.
• Exercise daily.
– Swelling in the Feet and Legs During Pregnancy
Pressure from the growing uterus on the blood vessels carrying blood from the lower
body causes fluid retention that result in swelling (edema) in the legs and feet.
Recommendations:
• Try not to stay on your feet for long periods of time. Avoid standing in one place.
• Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6-8 glasses of fluids a day).
• Avoid foods high in salt (sodium).
• Elevate your legs and feet while sitting. Avoid crossing your legs.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing; tight clothing can slow circulation and increase
fluid retention.
• Don't wear tight shoes; choose supportive shoes with low, wide heels.
• Keep your diet rich in protein; too little protein can cause fluid retention.
• Notify your health care provider if your hands or face swell. This may be a
warning sign of preeclampsia.
• Rest on your side during the day to help increase blood flow to your kidneys.
– Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy
Increased blood supply and hormones cause your vagina to increase normal secretions.
Normal vaginal discharge is white or clear, non irritating, odorless and may look yellow
when dry on your underwear or panty liners.
Recommendations:
• Choose cotton underwear or brands made from other natural fibers.
• Avoid tight-fitting jeans or pants.
• Do not douche. It is possible that you can introduce air into your circulatory
system or break your bag of waters in later pregnancy.
 • Clean the vaginal area often with soap and water.
• Wipe yourself from front to back.
• Contact your health care provider if you have burning, itching, irritation or
swelling, bad odor, bloody discharge, or bright yellow or green discharge (these
symptoms could be a sign of infection).
– Pregnancy Backaches
Backaches are usually caused by the strain put on the back muscles, changing hormone
levels, and changes in your posture.

Recommendations:
• Wear low-heeled (but not flat) shoes.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects.
• Squat down with your knees bent when picking things up instead of bending
down at the waist.
• Don't stand on your feet for long periods. If you need to stand for long periods,
place one foot on a stool or box for support.
• Sit in a chair with good back support, or place a small pillow behind your lower
back. Also place your feet on a footrest or stool.
• Check that your bed is firm. If needed, put a board between the mattress and box
spring.
• Sleep on your left or right side with a pillow between your legs for support.
• Apply a hot water bottle, heating pad on low setting, take a warm bath or shower,
or try massage.
• Perform exercises, as advised by your health care provider, to make your back
muscles stronger and help relieve the soreness.
• Maintain good posture. Standing up straight will ease the strain on your back.
• Contact your health care provider if you have a low backache that goes around
your stomach and does not go away within one hour after you change position or
rest. This might be a sign of premature labor.
– Abdominal Pain or Discomfort
Sharp, shooting pains on either side of your stomach may result from the stretching
tissue supporting your growing uterus. These pains may also travel down your thigh and
into your leg.
Recommendations:
• Change your position or activity until you are comfortable; avoid sharp turns or
movements.
• If you have a sudden pain in your abdomen, bend forward to the point of pain to
relieve tension and relax the tissue.
• Apply a hot water bottle, heating pad, or take a warm bath or shower.
 • Try massage.
• Make sure you are getting enough fluids.
• Take Tylenol (acetaminophen), occasionally.
• Contact your health care provider if the pain is severe or constant or if you are
less than 36 weeks pregnant and you have signs of labor.
– Braxton-Hicks Contractions
The muscles in your uterus will contract (tighten) as early as the second trimester of
pregnancy on. Irregular, infrequent contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions
(also known as "false labor pains"). These are normal during pregnancy.
Recommendations:
• Try to relax
• Change positions. Sometimes this can alleviate the contractions.
Science News

Why Poor Diet During Pregnancy Negatively Affects

Offspring's Long-Term Health
ScienceDaily (Mar. 9, 2011) — Poor diet during pregnancy increases offspring's vulnerability to
the effects of aging, new research has shown for the first
The research, by scientists from the University of Cambridge, provides important insight into
why children born to mothers who consumed an unhealthy diet during pregnancy have an
increased risk of type 2 diabetes (a significant contributing factor to heart disease and cancer)
later in life.
"What is most exciting about these findings is that we are now starting to really understand how
nutrition during the first nine months of life spent in the womb shape our long term health by
influencing how the cells in our body age," said Dr Susan Ozanne, the senior author on the paper
and British Heart Foundation Senior Fellow from the Institute of Metabolic Science at the
University of Cambridge.
It is well established that environmental factors interact with genes throughout life, affecting the
expression of those genes and, consequently, tissue function and disease risk. Diet during critical
periods of development, such as during the nine months in the womb, has been cited as one such
environmental factor. Epigenetics, which refers to modifications to the DNA that regulate how
much of a gene is produced, has been suggested to underlie these effects.
However, until now, very little was understood about the underlying mechanisms that control
the interaction between diet during gestation and gene expression in offspring throughout their
adult life. Research, funded by the BBSRC and the British Heart Foundation, has now shown
that the gene Hnf4a, which has been linked to type 2 diabetes, is regulated by maternal diet
through epigenetic modifications to our DNA. Additionally, they found that poor diet
exacerbates the rate at which these key epigenetic modifications accumulate during the aging
process.
Previous research has shown that the gene Hnf4a plays an important role both during
development of the pancreas and later in the production of insulin. The researchers hypothesised
that diet during pregnancy influences the expression of this gene later in life, thereby influencing
the risk of diabetes.
To test their theory, the researchers used a well-established rat model where, by altering the
protein content of the mother's diet during pregnancy, the offspring develop type 2 diabetes in
old age.
First, they studied the RNA from insulin secreting cells in the pancreas from offspring of
normally fed as well as malnourished mothers in young adult life and in old age. When they
compared the two, they found that there was a significant decrease in the expression of the
Hnf4a gene in the offspring prone to type 2 diabetes. The expression of Hnf4a also decreased
with age in both groups.
Second, they studied the DNA and found that the decrease of Hnf4a was caused by epigenetic
changes. The age associated epigenetic silencing was more pronounced in rats exposed to poor
maternal diet. They concluded that the epigenetic changes resulting from maternal diet and
aging lead to the reduced expression of the Hnf4a gene, decreasing the function of the pancreas
and therefore its ability to make insulin (and thereby increasing the risk of diabetes).
The scientists then studied the DNA from insulin secreting cells from human pancreases to show
that expression of this important gene was controlled in the same way in humans.
"It is remarkable that maternal diet can mark our genes so they remember events in very early
life," said Dr Miguel Constancia, the senior co-author on the paper from the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Metabolic Research Laboratories at the University of
Cambridge. "Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which maternal diet and aging interact
through epigenetic processes to determine our risk of age-associated diseases."
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:
"We already know that a healthy pregnancy is important in shaping a child's health, and their
risk of heart disease as they grow up. The reasons why are not well understood, but this study in
rats adds to the evidence that a mother's diet may sometimes alter the control of certain genes in
her unborn child. It's no reason for expectant mothers to be unduly worried. This research
doesn't change our advice that pregnant women should try to eat a healthy, balanced diet."
Professor Douglas Kell, Chief Executive, BBSRC said: "Epigenetics is a relatively young field
of research with tremendous potential to underpin our understanding of many biological
processes in all organisms. The fact that there is a relationship between the biology of a pregnant
mother and the long term health of her child has been known for some time but our
understanding of the biological processes behind some of the more subtle effects is still at a
nascent stage. This study uncovers -- through epigenetics and molecular biology research -- an
important piece of this puzzle and shows us how apparently minor changes within cells at the
very earliest stages of development can have a major influence on our health into old age."
The paper is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Email or share this story:

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Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from
materials provided by University of Cambridge, via EurekAlert!, a service of
AAAS.

Journal Reference:
1. IonelSandovici, Noel H. Smith, Marloes Dekker Nitert, Matthew Ackers-Johnson,
Santiago Uribe-Lewis, Yoko Ito, R. Huw Jones, Victor E. Marquez, William Cairns,
Mohammed Tadayyon, Laura P. O'neill, Adele Murrell, Charlotte Ling, Miguel
Constância, and Susan E. Ozanne. Maternal diet and aging alter the
epigenetic control of a promoter–enhancer interaction at the Hnf4a
gene in rat pancreatic islets. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 2011; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1019007108
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negatively affects offspring's long-term health. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 9,
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ENN: Environmental News Network -- Know Your

Environment

From: David A Gabel, ENN

Published March 8, 2011 01:16 PM

The Importance of a Healthy Diet during Pregnancy

Heavy alcohol or drug use during pregnancy is already known to potentially cause birth defects.
Almost important as this is what a mother eats. The diet of a pregnant mother can have long
lasting health implications for her child. A new study from researchers at the University of
Cambridge has shown how an unhealthy diet creates a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, and
cancer to the child later in life.
"What is most exciting about these findings is that we are now starting to really understand how
nutrition during the first nine months of life spent in the womb shape our long term health by
influencing how the cells in our body age," said Dr Susan Ozanne, the senior author on the paper
and British Heart Foundation Senior Fellow from the Institute of Metabolic Science at the
University of Cambridge.
Environmental factors during life can affect the development of genes and body tissue.
However, it is within the womb that the body develops the most and the fastest. During this
critical time of development, the negative effects of an unhealthy diet can be most amplified.
The effects experienced in the womb can modify DNA which affects the child's body throughout
its entire life.
To this point, there has been little understanding of the mechanisms which control the
interaction between diet during pregnancy and gene expression in offspring in their adult life.
The new research has shown that the gene Hnf4a, which is linked to type 2 diabetes, is regulated
by the maternal diet's effect on the offspring's genes. They found that an unhealthy diet increases
the rate at which these genetic modifications accumulate during the aging process.
The researchers tested their theory with experiments on rats. They altered the protein content of
the mother rat’s diet during pregnancy. The offspring went on to develop type 2 diabetes. To
prove the link, they analyzed the RNA from insulin secreting cells from the offspring's pancreas,
and compared it to that of an offspring which had a healthy diet during gestation.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:
"We already know that a healthy pregnancy is important in shaping a child's health, and their
risk of heart disease as they grow up. The reasons why are not well understood, but this study in
rats adds to the evidence that a mother's diet may sometimes alter the control of certain genes in
her unborn child. It's no reason for expectant mothers to be unduly worried. This research
doesn't change our advice that pregnant women should try to eat a healthy, balanced diet."
Link to published article: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/03/03/1019007108.abstract
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 A Report on
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Why Poor Diet During Pregnancy

Negatively Affects Offspring's Long-Term
Health

The Importance of a Healthy Diet during

Pregnancy