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High-fat pregnancy diet can lead to liver damage in newborns

Oregon, United States, January 21: A good diet holds the key to a healthy and safe pregnancy.

It not only perks up the women in the all important phase of her life, but also lays the foundation of a good fetal health.

However, a diet too high on fats raises the child’s risk of NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), a fatty inflammation of the liver, researchers warn.

"Many Americans assume that being fat during pregnancy equates as being unhealthy for the baby and being skinny results in a healthy pregnancy; however, that is not necessarily true" study’s lead author, Kevin Grove, a scientist in ONPRC’s (Oregon National Primate Research Center) Division of Neuroscience marked. "Our research suggests that consumption of a diet high in saturated fats during pregnancy in both obese and lean individuals may be linked to the increase in fatty liver disease in children."

To gauge the effects of mother’s diet on the newborn’s health, researchers at Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, picked up both lean and obese macaque monkeys.

During pregnancy, one group of monkeys was fed on a normal healthy diet, while the other was fed on a diet high in saturated fats.

Upon delivery, the offspring’s health was assessed. Mothers, either obese or lean, who consumed a high-fat diet delivered babies who were at a higher risk of NAFLD, researchers tabulated.

However, during subsequent pregnancies, when the same nonhuman primates were fed on a low fat diet, the offspring’s risk of developing fatty livers also lowered.

"This does not suggest that human mothers should entirely eliminate fat from their diets" warned Dr. Grove. Expectant mothers should indulge in a diet that is nutritious and well-balanced.

The results of the study feature in the current online edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), is a fatty inflammation of the liver in people who completely abstain alcohol. While alcohol consumption is typically associated with a liver-damaging inflammation usually seen in adults, the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects children and adults alike. Overweight people are more susceptible to it.

Usually asymptomatic in the early stages, the condition is marked by conditions like fatigue, malaise (general discomfort) and abdominal discomfort typically in the upper right quadrant. In severe cases, the condition might lead to a complete liver failure.

have never thought about it

have never thought about it like that before. Thanks so much for the depth and understanding at which you covered the topic. it's a useful piece of information not only for me but for many others. have read a lot on the topic at different blogs and books but this piece really gives food for thought

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