A Naturopathic Approach to Gestational Diabetes
By Shonelle Siegmann | Naturopath
Pregnancy is a sacred and exciting journey, which can bring with it a rollercoaster of emotions.
Unfortunately, many mothers report the enjoyment of their pregnancies was sometimes overshadowed by worry about the health of their baby and the results of prenatal testing.
Although all prenatal testing and screening is optional, a large majority of pregnant people in Australia will undergo the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.
This test is used to screen for gestational diabetes by analysing blood glucose levels and involves having blood tested after fasting, and repeated one and two hours after drinking an oral glucose solution.
Although some studies have found insufficient evidence to determine if screening for gestational diabetes can improve maternal and infant health outcomes, the GTT continues to be used as the key diagnostic tool for gestational diabetes in Australia’s medical maternity system.
What are the risks of gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes occurs when hormones from the growing placenta cause the body’s cells to become insulin resistant. In a healthy pregnancy, the body will produce extra insulin to overcome this.
According to Diabetes Australia, gestational diabetes can increase the risks of developing type 2 diabetes later in life for both mother and baby. Unmanaged diabetes may also increase the risk of babies being born with macrosomia (large for gestational age) and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
So what happens if I’m diagnosed with gestational diabetes?
The diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes is a contentious issue and can differ between different health authorities and change over time. But if blood glucose levels are above the prescribed maximum range, gestational diabetes is diagnosed.
It is important to note people on a long-term low-carb or ketogenic diet could return a false positive gestational diabetes result, because low-carb high-fat diets increase insulin resistance by burning fat for fuel.
Under current health guidelines, mothers are referred for nutritional advice to manage gestational diabetes with food, physical activity and regular blood glucose monitoring, and are likely to be classed as having a ‘higher risk’ pregnancy. This may lead to a higher level of recommended interventions in pregnancy and birth including early induction, although there is no evidence from randomised controlled trials to support routinely inducing labor at 38 or 39 weeks for everyone with GDM.
What is a naturopathic approach to gestational diabetes?
The good news is gestational diabetes is a manageable condition and natural treatment options are available - starting with food. In fact, more than half of all gestational diabetes cases are managed without medication.
Conventional healthy eating guidelines for gestational diabetes include processed packaged foods and even foods high in carbohydrates which are known to spike blood glucose, but clinical research supports a low-carb wholefood or paleo diet in pregnancy.
This approach is backed by Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator Lily Nichols who authored the bestselling books Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, and Real Food for Pregnancy - the most comprehensive text on prenatal nutrition to date.
Some of the key dietary recommendations for Gestational Diabetes include:
Inadequate protein in the first trimester can lead to a deficiency of the amino acids required by the pancreas to produce insulin, increasing the risk of gestational diabetes.
Higher rates of gestational diabetes occurred among women who regularly consumed more cereal, cookies, pastries and juice, compared to those who ate nuts.
Overconsumption of calories in the first trimester was linked to excess weight gain and a higher risk of gestational diabetes.
High-glycemic carbohydrates increased the rate of fetal overgrowth and maternal weight gain.
Excessive fruit intake was linked to higher rates of gestational diabetes.
Other naturopathic suggestions for gestational diabetes include:
SLEEP: Sleep for at least eight hours per night throughout pregnancy. Studies have found short sleep duration increases gestational diabetes by up to ten times.
MAGNESIUM AND VITAMIN E: Magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation for six weeks in women with GDM significantly improved glycemic control and lipid profiles.
VITAMIN D AND OMEGA 3: Supplementation of Vitamin D and Omega 3 for six weeks had beneficial effects on fasting plasma glucose and serum insulin during pregnancy.
FOOD COMBINATIONS: Combining protein or fats with carbohydrates can help to reduce blood sugar spikes.
HERBS AND SPICES: A variety of culinary and medicinal herbs and spices can be used to regulate blood glucose.
EXERCISE: Regular physical activity can help to stabilise blood glucose.
For personalised naturopathic support for Gestational Diabetes and pregnancy health, make a booking with Shonelle.