Research has also identified an increased risk of disordered eating symptoms in the perinatal period even among women without an eating disorder diagnosis, yet gaps exist in our knowledge pertaining to the association between psychosocial risk factors and disordered eating in this population.
It is recommended that women with premenstrual symptoms (PMS) switch to a diet including more complex carbohydrates and less sugar in order to alleviate their symptoms. While these dietary modifications may be helpful, a [...]
Because folate deficiency in pregnant women has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects, including anencephaly and spina bifida, it is recommended that all women take folic acid supplements during pregnancy. [...]
While the human brain continues develop throughout the first twenty or so years of life, the most vulnerable periods of brain development occur during pregnancy and the first 2 to 3 years of the child’s [...]
Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. We have known for a long time that severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy may affect the cognitive development of the unborn child. According to a recent Lancet study, even children born to women with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy are at increased risk for lower IQ and reading ability (assessed at age 9). The most severe effects were observed among children born to women with severe deficiency (<50 mcg/g iodine:creatinine ratio).
In a large study from Australia, researchers found that menopausal women who ate diets high in fruit, certain vegetables, pasta and red wine were 20% less likely to have hot flashes and night sweats.
Various studies have shown that women with a higher body mass index (BMI) or a higher percent of body fat have more frequent or more severe menopausal symptoms. In a recent study, researchers evaluated the impact of a low-fat diet on vasomotor symptoms in a group of 17,473 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 79.
There has been a long held belief that diet may influence well-being. The phrase “you are what you eat” suggests that nutrition has an impact on physical as well as mental health. Until recently, however, there have been few studies that provide data to support this idea.
