Gestational Diabetes - Controlling Blood Sugar Levels During Pregnancy!

Controlling blood sugar levels during pregnancy is critically important for the health of both mother and child. Certain nutritional supplements, which may be needed only during pregnancy, are helpful for both mother and child when there is gestational diabetes.

1. Beta-caroteneor mixed carotenoids, up to 25,000 IU a day, help prevent vitamin A deficiency without exposing the embryo to risks of vitamin A-induced genetic damage. The body converts only as much of the carotene compounds as it needs for vitamin A. Overweight women especially need beta-carotene or mixed carotenoids, since fat cells can sequester these nutrients from the rest of the body

2. Chromium nicotinate, up to 400 mcg a day, helps improve insulin sensitivity and helps normalize blood sugar levels. Chromium picolinate does not have this effect.

3. Omega-3 nicotinate, may prevent premature delivery. In women who do not have gestational diabetes, they also help prevent low birth weight (not an issue in mother who have diabetes). It's probably best to avoid fish oil capsules during the first trimester, both because of their potential heavy metal content and more importantly because of their tendency to cause fishy burps. Ground flaxseed added to cereals and fruit will deliver both essential fatty acids and fiber to prevent constipation. Hempseed and macadamia nut oils and cold-water fish are also great sources of these beneficial fats.

4. Vanadium, in doses of 50 to 100 mcg a day, may help improve insulin sensitivity.

5. Vitamin C, (up to 1,000 mg a day, but no more), vitamin E (up to 400 IU a day, but no more), and lipoic acid (either 250 mg of R-lipoic acid or 500 mg of alpha-lipoic acid daily, but no more) work synergistically to help cells use glucose more effectively. Taking one vitamin without the other or taking too much of any of these antioxidants, or taking one or two without the others, however, can cause a paradoxical, pro-oxidant effect.

6. Vitamin D, prevents bacterial vaginosis during the first trimester. Up to 2,000 IU a day prevents deficiency. To avoid disturbing calcium metabolism, don't take more than 2,000 IU a day during pregnancy... or get at least 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure on the arms, hands, and face every day.