Higher Animal Protein Intake During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy Is Associated With Risk of GDM

Abstract

Background and Aims: This study aimed to examine the associations between the total protein intake as well as types and sources of proteins with the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk.Method and Results: This was a prospective cohort study of the pregnant women in Malaysia. In this study, the total, animal, and plant protein intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Of the 452 women, 48 (10.62%) were diagnosed with GDM. From pre-pregnancy to second trimester, most of the women had 10–20% of energy intake from protein (88.9–90.3%) and ≥75% of recommended protein intake (74.6–86.5%). The women in the highest tertile (T3) of total animal protein intake [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.27–6.04] and red meat protein (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.27–5.70), specifically in the second trimester, had significantly higher GDM risk compared with the women in the middle tertile of intake (T2). Interestingly, the women in the T3 of egg protein in the second trimester were significantly at lower GDM risk (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.18–0.91) compared with those in T2.Conclusion: The highest tertile of animal protein (≥42.15 g/day) intake, particularly red meat protein in the second trimester was positively associated with the GDM risk, whereas the highest tertile of egg protein was inversely associated with the GDM risk. Protein intake before or during early pregnancy was not associated with the GDM risk. These findings underscore the importance of sources and types of protein intake, particularly after the first trimester of pregnancy, in relation to GDM risk.

Consumption of red and processed meat during early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes: a prospective birth cohort study

“…In accordance with our study, a prospective evaluation in the Nurses' Health Study II, which included 21,457 mothers with singleton pregnancies, found that mothers in the highest quintile of total red meat consumption had twice the risk of GDM than mothers in the lowest quintile 21 . Higher consumption of animal-based proteins, especially those from red meat, in the second trimester of pregnancy was highly related to the risk of developing GDM, according to a prospective cohort study of 452 pregnant women in Malaysia 22 . Furthermore, more red meat consumption during the second trimester of pregnancy was linked to an increased risk of GDM, according to a Chinese cohort study; however, there was no link between red meat consumption during the first trimester and that risk 23 .…”

The effects of plant-based dietary patterns on the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…It also underscored the importance of the carbohydrates source. Except for carbohydrates quality, the source of protein and fat in plant-based dietary patterns mattered, too [ 68 , 69 ]. Pregestational low-carbohydrate diets with high protein and fat from animal foods were positively associated with the risk of developing GDM, nevertheless, low-carbohydrate diets with high protein and fat from vegetable foods were inversely related to the risk of developing GDM [ 70 ].…”

“…Pregestational low-carbohydrate diets with high protein and fat from animal foods were positively associated with the risk of developing GDM, nevertheless, low-carbohydrate diets with high protein and fat from vegetable foods were inversely related to the risk of developing GDM [ 70 ]. In detail, higher animal protein intake would increase the risk of developing GDM, whereas higher plant protein intake would do not [ 68 ]. In addition, higher fat intake, whether animal fat or plant fat, would increase the risk of developing GDM [ 69 ].…”

Does a Ketogenic Diet Have a Place Within Diabetes Clinical Practice? Review of Current Evidence and Controversies

“…Emerging studies have shown that higher animal protein intake during pregnancy (> 42.2 g/day), particularly red meat, is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes [ 109 ]. Further concerns surround the impact of long-term maternal nutritional ketosis and its potential negative impact on foetal neural development and organ damage [ 108 , 110 , 111 ].…”