Link Between Mediterranean Diet And Improved Fertility And Pregnancy Related Outcomes.
Summary:
- New Study shows adhering to a Mediterranean diet linked with a reduction in adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in White populations.
- The study explored the impact of reproductive health on overall women’s health.
- The Mediterranean Diet involves high consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats (such as extra virgin olive oil), along with moderate intake of fish, poultry, and dairy. Red and processed meat consumption is limited.
- Women with higher adherence to the MD showed improved fertility outcomes, including enhanced embryo development, higher live birth rates, and reduced difficulty conceiving. Additionally, pregnancy-related outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia were also observed to be improved in those adhering to the MD during pregnancy.
Contents:
- New Study Links Mediterranean Diet (A Natural Home For Extra Virgin Olive Oil) With Reduced Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.
- What Is The Mediterranean Diet?
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Pregnancy
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Includes Vitamin E
- Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Beneficial In Foetal Development?
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps In Reducing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
- Extra Virgin Is Beneficial In Improving Reflexes In Babies
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Helpful In Fighting Various Infections
New Study Links Mediterranean Diet (With Extra Virgin Olive Oil) With Reduced Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.
Adverse pregnancy outcomes may be reduced by Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence in a White population, according to a recent review published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
The study, which is reported on in ContemporaryObgyn.net shows how reproductive health significantly impacts overall health in women. Increased rates of suboptimal lifestyle, obesity, and environmental chemical factors have led to concerns about female reproductive health worldwide, with rates of female reproductive disorders including up to 30% for irregular menstruation and 20% for polycystic ovarian syndrome.
What Is The Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean Diet is a dietary style involving high consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats with olive oil, as well as moderate consumption of fish, poultry, and dairy products. Red and processed meat consumption is limited in individuals on the MD.
The Mediterranean Diet targets inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal balance mechanisms, which are also associated with female reproductive outcomes. However, the potential impact of MD on female reproductive health has not been evaluated until now.
To assess the association between MD and female reproductive health, investigators conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Databases evaluated included PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and Korean Studies Information Service System and Research Information Sharing Service.
Search terms were developed by 2 independent reviewers and included “Mediterranean diet” as well as keywords related to female reproductive outcomes. Studies included female participants and evaluated major female reproductive outcomes.
Included studies were prospective cohort studies, case-control studies, or randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Titles and abstracts were independently screened by 2 reviewers, after which selected full texts were evaluated.
Data extracted in RCTs included study characteristics, population characteristics, study design, and outcome data. Data extracted in cohort or case-control studies included study characteristics, population characteristics, exposure assessment, outcome assessment, effect sizes of outcomes, and adjusted covariates and matching factors.
There were 32 studies included in the final analysis, of which 22 were cohort studies, 9 RCTs, and 1 a nested case-control study. Most RCTS were conducted in predominantly White populations, and most prospective cohort studies were conducted in European countries or the United States.
An RCT evaluating the impact of MD on fertility outcomes found improved embryo development in a MD group vs control group, with live birth rates of 41.5% and 32.7%, respectively. Other studies evaluated success of implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth among women receiving infertility treatment, with risk ratios (RRs) of 1.07, 1.13, and 1.34, respectively.
Healthy women with a greater adherence to MD also had reduced difficulty conceiving, with a reported odds ratio of 0.56. Pregnancy related outcomes were also improved in women adhering to MD, with an RR of 0.74 for gestational diabetes mellitus, 0.45 for preterm birth, 0.71 for gestational hypertension, and 0.82 for preeclampsia observed in RCTs.
These results indicated potential decreased risk of certain adverse reproductive outcomes in patients with greater adherence to a MD during pregnancy. Investigators recommended further studies to evaluate the impact of a MD on other female reproductive outcomes.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Pregnancy
Olives are power-packed with various health benefits. Apart from being rich in dietary fiber, olives are a rich source of monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and iron. Extra virgin olive oil is very gentle on the stomach and, thus, very safe for consumption during pregnancy. Here’s how it helps you and your unborn baby during pregnancy.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Includes Vitamin E:
Olive oil may not be a high source of vitamin E. However, because of its resistance to oxidation, the quantity present offers ample benefits to a pregnant woman. Vitamin E is one of the components that help your baby to adapt better in the oxygen-filled environment, soon after birth. If the mother of a premature or preterm baby consumes olive oil during the breastfeeding stage, it may help her baby to develop better.
Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Beneficial in Foetal Development?
If you consume olive oil during pregnancy it may greatly benefit the growth and development of your unborn baby. The substantial amounts of omega-3 fatty acids are extremely beneficial for your baby’s heart. It has also been observed that consumption of olive oil during pregnancy improves brain function and development and it also improves the learning skills of your baby, as he grows. Also, if a mother consumes olive oil on a regular basis during her pregnancy, it may positively impact the height and weight of her unborn baby.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps in Reducing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy:
Developing stretch marks is a very common phenomenon during pregnancy and most women may experience it. This may happen because as your baby grows, your pelvic muscles and abdomen stretch to accommodate your growing baby, which in turn may lead to stretch marks. Olive oil has been in use for a long time to overcome the problem of stretch marks during pregnancy. If you keep applying olive oil on your tummy area every day, it is possible that you may not have stretch marks during pregnancy. And even if you do develop stretch marks, they may either become light or in some cases, even disappear after regular usage. However, the only mantra that you need to follow while using olive oil for stretch marks during pregnancy is to use it on a regular basis.
Extra Virgin Is Beneficial in Improving Reflexes in Babies:
It has been observed that mothers who consumed olive oil regularly during their pregnancy journey gave birth to babies who had better or improved psychomotor reflexes in comparison to women who did not consume olive oil during their pregnancy.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Helpful in Fighting Various Infections:
Pregnancy may make your immune system sluggish, and thus, may make pregnant women more susceptible to falling ill with various kinds of infections. However, including olive oil in your pregnancy diet may prove to be beneficial. This is because olive oil is a rich source of Vitamin A, which helps in building a strong immune system. This, in turn, may help in keeping various infections at bay. Also, Vitamin A is very beneficial for the eyes, and including olive oil in your pregnancy diet may not only ensure good eye-health of the would-be mother but it may also be beneficial for fetal eye development.
It is important to remember that olive oil, like any other oil, should be consumed in moderation. You may safely consume and apply olive oil on your skin during pregnancy but refrain from going overboard with its consumption and usage. In any case, we also suggest that you get a go-ahead from your doctor before doing so, especially if you’re using it for the first time. This is because every pregnancy is different and what may be beneficial and healthy for one woman may not be for the other. Thus your doctor may know what is best for you during your pregnancy.