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Effect of a high monounsaturated fatty acid diet on blood pressure and glucose metabolism in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 55, pages 436–443 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: The effect of a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) on blood pressure, glycemic control, lipids and insulin sensitivity was evaluated in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Design and methods: A randomized, unpaired diet intervention was performed in 27 women with gestational diabetes mellitus in an outpatient clinic. After randomization the women received either a high-carbohydrate diet (H-CHO) or a high-MUFA diet (H-MUFA) from the 33rd gestational week of pregnancy. Outcome measures were 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, blood lipids, glycemic control and insulin sensitivity estimated by an intravenous glucose tolerance test.

Results: The 24 h diastolic blood pressure increased more in the H-CHO group than in the H-MUFA group (P<0.04).

Conclusions: After 5 weeks of treatment with a MUFA-enriched diet, no increase in 24 h diastolic blood pressure and no adverse effects on blood lipids were seen. The favorable effect on the blood pressure by the MUFA diet is a possible non-medication treatment. The H-MUFA diet had no advantage to the H-CHO diet in ameliorating the decline of insulin sensitivity in third term of pregnancy in GDM.

Sponsorship: Sources of support were grants from the Mimi and Victor Larsens Foundation, Nordisk Insulin Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, Aarhus University, Denmark. Aarhus Olie Fabrik A/S, Aarhus, Denmark provided the hybrid sunflower oil. The Danish Medical Research Council provided the statistical assistance.

Descriptors: gestational diabetes; ambulatory blood pressure; monounsaturated fatty acids; glycemic regulation; lipids.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001) 55, 436–443

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Author notes

  1. FF Lauszus and JE Henriksen: Guarantors: FF Lauszus and JE Henriksen.

  2. FF Lauszus, OW Rasmussen, JE Henriksen, JG Klebe, L Jensen, KS Lauszus and K Hermansen: Contributors: FFL implemented the study, recruiting subjects, performing glucose challenge test, blood pressure measurement and drafting the manuscript. OWR implemented the study, supervising it from start to end, was involved in discussion and revising the draft from start to end. JDH calculated data from the glucose challenge test, was involved in discussion and revising the draft from start to end, and is guarantor for the calculation on glycemic regulation. JGK implemented the study, supervising it from start to end, and was involved in discussion of the draft form start to end. LJ was the dietitian implementing the diets with the subjects and calculating the diet record, and approved the final draft. KSL checked the data from subjects, registering the outcome data and approved the final draft. KH helped in implementation of the study and access to laboratory facilities, and approved the final draft

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gynecological/Obsterical Department Y, Center for Diabetes and Pregnancy, Skejby Hospital, Skejby, Denmark

    FF Lauszus, JG Klebe, L Jensen & KS Lauszus

  2. Medical Department C (Diabetes and Endocrinology), Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    OW Rasmussen & K Hermansen

  3. Odense University Hospital, Diabetes Research Centre, Odense, Denmark

    JE Henriksen

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  1. FF Lauszus
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Correspondence to FF Lauszus.

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Lauszus, F., Rasmussen, O., Henriksen, J. et al. Effect of a high monounsaturated fatty acid diet on blood pressure and glucose metabolism in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Eur J Clin Nutr 55, 436–443 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601193

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