Avoid low-cal sweeteners when pregnant

Over the course of a 15-year study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, folks consuming between 17 percent and 21 percent of their calories from added sugar had a 38 percent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, compared with those who got just 8 percent as added sugar.

It turns out, for pregnant women and their newborns, the sweet alternatives might not be any better. A new animal study from the University of Calgary has found that when a pregnant female consumes food and beverages made with low-cal sweeteners, such as aspartame and stevia, it disrupts her offspring’s gut microbiome and predisposes the newborn to obesity.

Other studies have shown that maternal consumption of low- and no-cal sugar substitutes is associated with large birth size and early menstruation in girls under age 10 — a known risk factor for chronic disease. Plus it seems, some of the lowcal sweeteners get passed from mom to infant through breast milk — amping up the risk for childhood obesity.

Opt for water, tea or club soda. Get your sweets from fruits and whole grains. You’ll feel better in the long run, and your child will thank you.

Blood sugar woes

If you’re prediabetic or have full-blown diabetes, you’re going to substantially improve your health by cutting out foods with a high glycemic index, such as refined carbs and sugars. But there’s more to controlling your blood sugar than changing your diet.

Taking prescribed medications and getting regular exercise are essential, of course. (As are dietary changes that might make you able to get off those meds.) But here are four plays you might not have thought about trying.

1. Reduce your stress response to reduce insulin resistance. When you’re stressed, your body secretes the hormone cortisol. It draws glucose from the liver to fuel your fight-or-flight response. The body then secretes insulin to reduce your glucose level. If this becomes chronic, insulin resistance can result. So take up meditation or employ other stress management techniques.

2. Talk to your doc about intermittent fasting: eating only when the sun is up and consuming more early, less later.

3. Get seven to eight hours of quality sleep. It also reduces insulin resistance.

4. Dodge colds and flu. Infections can elevate glucose levels. Wash your hands frequently and keep vaccinations up to date.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.