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A comparison of the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of high and low carbohydrate diets in women with gestational diabetes
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Abstract
Material and methods: The study group consisted of 30 Caucasian women newly diagnosed with GDM, with a mean age of 28.7 ± 3.7 years and pregnancy duration of 29.2 ± 5.4 weeks. The patients were randomised into two groups: those on a low and those on a high carbohydrate diet (45% vs. 65% respectively of energy supply coming from carbohydrates). The presence of urine ketones was controlled every day. After two weeks daily glucose profiles and compliance with the recommended diets were analysed.
Results: Glucose concentration before implementation of the diet regimen did not differ between groups. No changes in fasting blood glucose were noticed in the group that had followed a low carbohydrate diet, although a significant decrease in glucose concentration was observed after breakfast (102 ± 16 vs. 94 ± 11 mg/dl), lunch (105 ± 12 vs. 99 ± 9 mg/dl) and dinner (112 ± 16 vs. 103 ± 13 mg/dl) (p < 0.05). In the high carbohydrate diet group fasting and after-breakfast glucose concentration did not change. A significant decrease in glycaemia was noticed after lunch (106 ± 15 vs. 96 ± 7 mg/dl) and dinner (107 ± 12 vs. 97 ± 7 mg/dl) (p < 0.05). Ketonuria was not observed in either group. Obstetrical outcomes did not differ between groups.
Conclusions: Both high and low carbohydrate diets are effective and safe. A diet with carbohydrate limitation should be recommended to women who experience the highest glycaemia levels after breakfast. (Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (4): 314-319)
Abstract
Material and methods: The study group consisted of 30 Caucasian women newly diagnosed with GDM, with a mean age of 28.7 ± 3.7 years and pregnancy duration of 29.2 ± 5.4 weeks. The patients were randomised into two groups: those on a low and those on a high carbohydrate diet (45% vs. 65% respectively of energy supply coming from carbohydrates). The presence of urine ketones was controlled every day. After two weeks daily glucose profiles and compliance with the recommended diets were analysed.
Results: Glucose concentration before implementation of the diet regimen did not differ between groups. No changes in fasting blood glucose were noticed in the group that had followed a low carbohydrate diet, although a significant decrease in glucose concentration was observed after breakfast (102 ± 16 vs. 94 ± 11 mg/dl), lunch (105 ± 12 vs. 99 ± 9 mg/dl) and dinner (112 ± 16 vs. 103 ± 13 mg/dl) (p < 0.05). In the high carbohydrate diet group fasting and after-breakfast glucose concentration did not change. A significant decrease in glycaemia was noticed after lunch (106 ± 15 vs. 96 ± 7 mg/dl) and dinner (107 ± 12 vs. 97 ± 7 mg/dl) (p < 0.05). Ketonuria was not observed in either group. Obstetrical outcomes did not differ between groups.
Conclusions: Both high and low carbohydrate diets are effective and safe. A diet with carbohydrate limitation should be recommended to women who experience the highest glycaemia levels after breakfast. (Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (4): 314-319)
Keywords
gestational diabetes mellitus; diet; carbohydrates; treatment


Title
A comparison of the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of high and low carbohydrate diets in women with gestational diabetes
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
313-320
Published online
2007-05-17
Page views
1027
Article views/downloads
1817
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2007;58(4):313-320.
Keywords
gestational diabetes mellitus
diet
carbohydrates
treatment
Authors
Katarzyna Cypryk
Patrycja Kamińska
Marcin Kosiński
Magdalena Pertyńska-Marczewska Andrzej Lewiński