Pregnant women who eat more fiber may reduce the risk of celiac disease in children



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New study suggests that mothers on a high fiber diet during pregnancy can reduce the risk of celiac disease in their children.

The researchers analyzed the information gathered from more than 88,000 Norwegian children and their mothers, who gave birth between 1999 and 2009. Mothers were asked about their fiber and gluten intake during their 22nd week of pregnancy. The children were followed for about 11 years. a diagnosis of celiac disease.

The researchers found that mothers consuming the most fiber – more than 45 grams a day – were 34% less likely to have children with celiac disease than mothers consuming the least fiber, under 19 grams (0.7 ounces) per day. [Are You Pregnant? 12 Early Signs of Pregnancy]

This study is one of the first to examine the link between fiber consumption during pregnancy and children's risk of celiac disease.

The researchers warned that their results are preliminary. "We can not yet recommend specific dietary measures during pregnancy to prevent celiac disease, and this should be the subject of further study," Dr. Ketil Størdal, lead author of the report. study, professor-researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Pediatric Gastroenterologist at the Østfold Trust Hospital in Norway, said in a statement.

However, the study did not find any link between the mother's intake of gluten and her child's risk of celiac disease. "Our results do not support gluten restriction for pregnant women," said Størdal.

The study will be presented Friday, June 7 at the annual meeting of the European Society of Gastroenterology, Pediatric Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Celiac disease is a condition in which the immune system of people reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, damaging the lining of the small intestine. The disease affects about 1 in 100 people in the United States and most European countries. At present, the only way to manage celiac disease is for patients to avoid foods containing gluten for the rest of their lives.

In the new study, celiac disease was diagnosed in 982 children, or 1.1% of all children in the study.

For every 10 grams (0.4 ounce) increase in the mother's daily fiber intake, there was an 8% reduction in her child's risk of celiac disease. Consumption of fiber from fruits and vegetables, rather than cereals, was linked to the lowest risk of celiac disease.

Fibers are known to affect bacteria in the intestines (the intestinal "microbiome"). The researchers hypothesized that a mother's fiber intake could affect the intestinal flora of her child, which in turn could affect the risk of celiac disease. (Indeed, some studies have shown that the intestinal microbiome was impaired in people with celiac disease compared to those who did not.)

However, much more research is needed to prove the hypothesis of the researchers, and the authors plan to conduct future studies on the impact of a mother's fiber intake on flora. bowel of his child, said Størdal.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women are advised to consume about 25 grams of fiber a day, the same recommendation as for the general population.

Originally published on Science live.

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