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Gestational hyperglycemia, zinc, selenium, and antioxidant vitamins
Simona Bo1, Antonela Lezo, Guido Menato
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. sbo@molinette.piemonte.it
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|February 23, 2005
Summary
Lower dietary and serum zinc and selenium levels are linked to gestational hyperglycemia. These findings suggest that dietary counseling focusing on these minerals may help manage gestational metabolic issues.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional biochemistry
- Reproductive endocrinology
- Metabolic disorders
Background:
- Gestational diabetes shares similarities with type 2 diabetes, with prior research indicating lower selenium and vitamin E levels.
- Limited data exist on the role of zinc, a mineral associated with diabetes, in gestational hyperglycemia.
- This study investigates the relationship between antioxidant vitamins, zinc, selenium, and gestational hyperglycemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins, zinc, and selenium in pregnant women with and without gestational hyperglycemia.
- To analyze serum levels of zinc and selenium in women with gestational hyperglycemia and normoglycemia.
- To determine the association between these micronutrients and gestational hyperglycemia.
Main Methods:
- A food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake in 504 pregnant women (210 with hyperglycemia, 294 with normoglycemia).
- Serum zinc and selenium levels were measured in a separate cohort of 194 pregnant women (71 with hyperglycemia, 123 with normoglycemia).
- Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to assess associations after adjusting for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Dietary intake of zinc and selenium was significantly lower in women with gestational hyperglycemia.
- Lower dietary intake of zinc (OR 0.89) and selenium (OR 0.97) was inversely associated with gestational hyperglycemia.
- Serum levels of zinc and selenium were also significantly lower in hyperglycemic women and inversely associated with the condition (OR 0.93 for serum zinc, 0.92 for serum selenium).
- No significant differences in vitamin intakes were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- A significant inverse association exists between dietary intake and serum levels of zinc and selenium with gestational hyperglycemia.
- These findings suggest that adequate intake of zinc and selenium may play a role in preventing or managing gestational metabolic abnormalities.
- Further research confirming these results could support dietary counseling as an intervention to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.