Effect of zinc supplementation on insulin resistance,energy and macronutrients intakes in pregnant women with impaired glucose tolerance

Background: hyperglycemia and gestational diabetes mellitus are complications of pregnancy. both mothers and newborns are typically at increased risk for complications. this study sought to determine effect of zinc supplementa-tion on serum glucose levels,insulin resistance,energy and macronutrients intakes in pregnant women with impaired glucose tolerance. methods: in this clinical trial 44 pregnant women with impaired glucose tolerance,from december 2012 –april 2013 were randomly divided into zinc (n=22) and placebo (n=22) groups and recived 30mg/day zinc gluconate and (n=22),and placebo for eight consecutive weeks respectively. dietary food intake was estimated from 3-days diet records. se-rum levels of zinc,fasting blood sugar,and insulin were measured by conventional methods. also homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance was calculated. results: serumlevels of fasting blood sugar,insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance slightly decreased in zinc group,but these changes were not statistically significant. serum zinc levels (p =0.012),energy (p=0.037),protein (p=0.019) and fat (p=0.017) intakes increased statistically significant in the zinc group after intervention but not in the placebo group. conclusion: oral supplementation with zinc could be effective in increasing serum zinc levels and energy intake with no effects on fasting blood sugar,homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and insulin levels. © 2015,iranian journal of public health. all rights reserved.