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

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.

Propolis, Bee Honey, and Their Components Protect against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Review of In Silico, In Vitro, and Clinical Studies

“…Indeed, flavonoids in honey and propolis can potently inhibit key inflammatory pathways, reduce oxidative stress, and protect against tissue damage [ 20 , 32 , 44 , 57 ]. The therapeutic effects of bee products are further enhanced when combined with extracts from herbal plants and exercise [ 37 , 57 , 70 ].…”

“…A wealth of studies reports remarkable alterations in different immune cells in COVID-19 patients, even during convalescence [ 11 , 12 , 35 ]. Immune cell dysfunction induced by SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a poor baseline immune functioning (immunological aging/inflammaging), and it is considered a key cause of multiple organ failure and fatality in severe COVID-19 [ 31 , 33 , 36 , 37 ].…”

“…Bee honey is a natural sweetener that comprises high amounts of reducing sugars, proteins, enzymes, amino acids, minerals, polyphenols, and vitamins [ 19 , 44 , 62 ]. In addition to its high nutritional value, honey has been long used for the treatment of several serious disorders because it enjoys a variety of pharmacological properties: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-cancer, antilipidemic, antifungal, and bactericidal activities [ 37 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. In addition, honey acts as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, e.g., against varicella zoster virus and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1).…”

“…Honey promotes health by supporting the growth of healthy intestinal microflora and inhibiting the survival and activity of harmful endobacteria [ 19 , 37 ]. These effects are closely related to its low pH [ 62 ], high content of prebiotics such as oligosaccharides [ 73 , 74 ], and major species of beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Bifidobacterium , Fructobacillus , and Lactobacillaceae (e.g., Lactobacillus kunkeei —the most common species and the most potent in inhibiting pathogens highly resistant to antibiotics) [ 37 , 75 ].…”

“…Honey promotes health by supporting the growth of healthy intestinal microflora and inhibiting the survival and activity of harmful endobacteria [ 19 , 37 ]. These effects are closely related to its low pH [ 62 ], high content of prebiotics such as oligosaccharides [ 73 , 74 ], and major species of beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Bifidobacterium , Fructobacillus , and Lactobacillaceae (e.g., Lactobacillus kunkeei —the most common species and the most potent in inhibiting pathogens highly resistant to antibiotics) [ 37 , 75 ]. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and MALDI-TOF along with UHPLC–ESI-MS/MS coupled to quadrupole orbitrap indicate that the shedding of cell membranes of dead LAB in honey (e.g., Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus ) represents the main source of its long-chain menaquinones content, subtypes of vitamin K 2 [ 76 ], which demonstrate a range of health benefits (other than promoting coagulation) such as protecting against neurodegenerative disorders by contributing to the metabolism of myelin sulfatides in the brain [ 77 ].…”