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Soy diet may improve glucose measures, triglycerides in gestational diabetes
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In women with gestational diabetes, soy protein consumption appears to significantly improve measures of glucose homeostasis, triglycerides and oxidative stress biomarkers, according to recent findings.
Moreover, maternal soy protein intake may result in decreased incidence of newborn hyperbilirubinemia and hospitalizations, the researchers wrote.
In the randomized, parallel clinical trial, Mehri Jamilian, MD, from Arak University of Medical Sciences, and Zatollah Asemi, PhD, from Kashan University of Medical Sciences, both in Iran, evaluated 68 women with gestational diabetes to determine the effect of soy intake on metabolic status. Participants were randomly assigned to a soy diet (n = 34) or a control diet (n = 34) for 6 weeks. The control diet consisted of 70% animal proteins and 30% plant proteins, whereas the soy diet consisted of 35% animal protein, 35% soy protein and 30% other plant products.
The researchers found that after 6 weeks, there was an increase in fasting plasma glucose in the control group vs. the soy group (P < .001), as well as increased serum insulin levels (P = .02) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; P = .002). The control group had decreased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) compared with the soy group (P = .004).
Compared with the soy diet, the control diet yielded differences in serum triglycerides (P = .03) and very-low-density lipoprotein changes (P = .03). Decreases also were seen in the control diet compared with the soy diet in plasma total antioxidant capacity (P = .005), glutathione (P = .004) and an increase in plasma malondialdehyde concentration (P = .04).
No significant effects of soy protein consumption were noted on other lipid profiles or inflammatory markers.
Compared with the soy group, the control group demonstrated a higher rate of infant hyperbilirubinemia (P = .01) and newborn hospitalization (P = .02).
“In conclusion, soy protein consumption in women with [gestational diabetes] significantly improved the glucose homeostasis parameters, triglycerides and biomarkers of oxidative stress, as well as reductions in the incidence of newborn hyperbilirubinemia and hospitalizations,” the researchers wrote. “In the current study, observed effects of soy protein intake on newborn hyperbilirubinemia and hospitalizations must be interpreted with caution. Future studies are required to confirm out findings.” – by Jennifer Byrne
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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