Two new animal studies are food for thought for women of childbearing age.  One study shows how easy it is to make an addictive food impression on the developing fetus and the other study shows that adequate antioxidants can prevent the problem.

The human data overwhelmingly shows that mothers eating high-fat, high-sugar diets have children much more likely to be obese as adults.  In a new animal study researchers sought to analyze the brain in rats whose mothers ate a high-fat, high-sugar.  They discovered that the junk diet programmed malfunction into the core reward/pleasure system (dopamine system) of the developing brain, adversely altering brain chemistry in a way that tilts towards any addiction including food.

The second study evaluated diet and antioxidants in four different situations.  The protocols were begun prior to pregnancy.
1)  A high-fat, high-sugar diet.
2)  A balanced diet.
3)  A high-fat, high-sugar diet with supplemental antioxidants.
4)  A balanced diet with supplemental antioxidants.

All offspring were fed the exact same balanced diet.  The mothers who ate the high-fat, high-sugar diet had offspring that were becoming fat by two weeks of age.  These offspring suffered from higher inflammation and free radical damage as a fetus and as a newborn.  Gene expression in the white adipose tissue was altered so as to promote fat storage and expansion of white adipose tissue.  They also suffered from insulin resistance.

The offspring of the high-fat, high-sugar diet mothers who also had antioxidants did not develop the metabolic problems and gained much less weight. 

“We already know that there are critical periods during human development that influence the later development of obesity,” said senior author Rebecca A. Simmons, M.D., a neonatologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “This research suggests that if we can prevent inflammation and oxidative stress during pregnancy, we may lower the risk that a child will develop obesity.”

The take home message is rather clear.  Antioxidants are good for pregnancy in general and will help offset oxidative stress caused by being overweight or from any other cause for that matter (such as high stress).  Certainly, any woman who is overweight and considering pregnancy or becomes pregnant should ensure a higher level of supplemental antioxidant intake to help prevent adverse gene programming (epigenetic changes) to her child.  Of course, DHA, friendly flora, and B vitamins are also going to help the same issue.

Posted by Byron J Richards at 04:59 PM.

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