Researchers published the study covered in this summary on Research Square as a preprint that has not yet been peer reviewed.
Key Takeaways
Pregnant women who had a high level of insulin resistance according to their triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index prior to 20 weeks' gestation showed improved glucose metabolism, a reduced risk for gestational diabetes, and significantly fewer preterm births when treated daily with an oral fiber supplement for 5 weeks (gestational weeks 20-24) compared with untreated controls in a single-center, randomized study with 295 women.
The fiber supplement intervention did not affect lipid profiles or other maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Why This Matters
Women who develop gestational diabetes are at risk for maternal and perinatal complications and for type 2 diabetes later in life.
High TyG index in the first trimester is associated with gestational diabetes development.
Improving glucose metabolism in women with a high TyG index during pregnancy might help prevent gestational diabetes.
Study Design
The study randomly assigned 295 women with a TyG index ≥ 8.5 before 20 weeks' gestation seen at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Shanghai General Hospital during June 2021 to July 2022.
During gestational weeks 20-24, 97 women received a 12-g dose of oral dietary fiber powder twice daily, and 197 served as controls and received usual care without the fiber supplement.
