A High-Fat Diet Equals one days increase of birth defects

Tags: Family Planning, babies, conceiving, diabetes, fetal development, heart disease, mothers, pregnant, vegetables, women, young pregancy — Tags: birth defects, congenital heart disease, diabetes, diet, heart disease, maternal diet, obese, overweight, pregnancy diet, unborn offspring
The “what-not-to-do-during-pregnancy” list is growing. Already on the list are alcohol, raw fish/meat, cigarettes, smoked seafood, fish with mercury or fish exposed to industrial pollutants, soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk, pate, caffeine, and unwashed vegetables. However, a new study sponsored by England’s Welcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation shows women who take on a high-fat diet before and during pregnancy will increase the risk of congenital heart defects in offspring.


Congenital heart disease is a disease that results in a problem with the structure of the heart and is the most common type of birth defect. Defects range from problems with the walls of the heart to the arteries and veins near the heart. Congenital heart disease will disrupt the flow of normal blood to the heart. Women with diabetes or woman who are overweight or obese already have a higher risk for their children to obtain congenital heart disease.


Results from the research shows that genes of an unborn offspring can be affected by maternal diet. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, speak to your doctor to find out if you need to make any adjustments to your current diet