Intermittent Fasting, Dietary Modifications, and Exercise for the Control of Gestational Diabetes and Maternal Mood Dysregulation: A Review and a Case Report

Amira Mohammed Ali and Hiroshi Kunugi
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Amira Mohammed Ali: Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-0031, Japan
Hiroshi Kunugi: Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-0031, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-23

Abstract: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy-related condition afflicting 5–36% of pregnancies. It is associated with many morbid maternal and fetal outcomes. Mood dysregulations (MDs, e.g., depression, distress, and anxiety) are common among women with GDM, and they exacerbate its prognosis and hinder its treatment. Hence, in addition to early detection and proper management of GDM, treating the associated MDs is crucial. Maternal hyperglycemia and MDs result from a complex network of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. This review briefly explores mechanisms that underlie GDM and prenatal MDs. It also describes the effect of exercise, dietary modification, and intermittent fasting (IF) on metabolic and affective dysfunctions exemplified by a case report. In this patient, interventions such as IF considerably reduced maternal body weight, plasma glucose, and psychological distress without any adverse effects. Thus, IF is one measure that can control GDM and maternal MDs; however, more investigations are warranted.

Keywords: gestational diabetes mellitus; Egypt; depression; distress; anxiety; exercise; caloric restriction; intermittent fasting; dietary restriction; low glycemic index diet; gut microbiome; insulin resistance; placental hormones; insulin estrogenization; high protein diet; poverty; obesity; fermented milk/yoghurt; soy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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