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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, September 08, 2008

Low Glycemic Foods for Gestational Diabetes

A: When addressing such an important issue, it is necessary to know details such your age, and weight as well as your weight prior to pregnancy and most importantly family history. Gestational diabetes is more likely to occur in women who are overweight, insulin resistant, or have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). All of those may have an impact on your condition and treatment may vary.

Q: For a general approach you are right to try and control your blood sugar with exercise and diet, however, it is important to do it in a healthy way. The diet of a woman with, or at risk of gestational diabetes should emphasize low G.I. (glycemic index) carbohydrates. This puts less demand on the pancreas to produce insulin. Low G.I. foods raises blood glucose levels gradually, and with less glucose in the blood less insulin is needed. High G.I. foods on the other hand will raise blood glucose quicker, with more glucose in the bloodstream, which results in the pancreas producing more insulin. A few grains that are considered to be low G.I foods are: Quinoa, Bulgar and Buckwheat.

POSSIBLE SUPPLEMENTS (To be professionally prescribed only):

1. Magnesium: a deficiency often occurs in diabetic states, and supplements may be beneficial in gestational diabetes to help improve blood glucose control.
2. Chromium: this mineral is valuable in any condition involving problems with blood glucose control such as gestational diabetes, as it increases the ability of cells to respond to insulin, helping to reduce blood glucose levels.
3. Alpha-Lipoic acid: this antioxidant may be valuable in the treatment or prevention of gestational diabetes to help decrease insulin resistance and improve the delivery of glucose into cells.
4. Zinc: the need for zinc increases in pregnancy and a naturopath will be able to test for a possible deficiency by giving you a zinc taste test. If necessary, an easily absorbed from of zinc can be given at an appropriate dose. Zinc is needed for many bodily functions and helps insulin to work effectively.

Nutritional supplement of Salba or Salvia is similar to flaxseed and should be safe to take. I would avoid taking Cinnamon during pregnancy, as it is not an approved "safe herb" for pregnant women. Most herbs are not fully studied for their possible effects on the fetus and thus it is best to avoid them especially because you are almost due. Changing your diet and increasing suitable exercise should do the trick but you need to monitor your blood sugar regularly.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist