title: Maternal dietary counseling reduces total and LDL cholesterol postpartum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary counseling on blood lipid concentrations during and after pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Partcipants (N = 256) were randomized into three study groups: dietary counseling with probiotics or placebo and a control group at first trimester of pregnancy. Diet quality was evaluated from food records by an index of healthy eating and total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A-I and B, and lipoprotein (a) were measured at the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and 1, 6, and 12 mo postpartum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During pregnancy, no differences in lipid values were noted among the groups, but postpartum TC and LDL-C were lower in both dietary counseling groups compared with controls (P = 0.027 and P = 0.012, respectively). Higher points on the healthy eating index, normal weight, and regular exercise were associated with a more favorable lipid profile at 12 mo after delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal dietary counseling may lower maternal TC and LDL-C levels postpartum. A healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and postpartum may benefit women's cardiovascular health.
authors.affiliation: Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hoppu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Isolauri
authors.affiliation: TYKSLAB Laboratory, Hospital District of Southwest Finland, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Pertti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koskinen
authors.affiliation: Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. Electronic address: kirsi.laitinen@utu.fi.
authors.forename: Kirsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laitinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D058870:Food, Organic; D006801:Humans; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000097:blood; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: Apolipoprotein; Cholesterol; Diet; Postpartum; Pregnancy