Brittany R. Allman

By Jamie I. Baum, Elisabet Børsheim, Brittany R. Allman and Samuel Walker

Dietary protein intake and the associated health benefits continue to be a subject of great debate. The quantity of protein consumed, the quality or source of protein consumed, and the timing of protein intake throughout the day all play a role in determining the health benefits of dietary protein. Research suggests that intake of dietary protein above the dietary recommendations has health benefits throughout the lifecycle. This book chapter describes the dietary recommendations for protein intake throughout pregnancy, childhood, and adulthood and the associated health benefits with protein intake above the dietary guidelines at each stage of life.

Part of the book: The Health Benefits of Foods

By Brittany R. Allman, Samantha McDonald, Linda May, Amber W. Kinsey and Elisabet Børsheim

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses a significant threat to the short- and long-term health of the mother and baby. Pharmacological treatments for GDM do not fully correct the underlying problem of the disease; however, non-pharmacological treatments such as exercise are increasingly recognized as foundational to glycemic management in other populations with disordered glucose regulation, such as non-gravid women with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Much of the research regarding the impact of exercise on glycemic control in T2DM leverages aerobic training as the primary modality; yet research has demonstrated the effectiveness of resistance training on improving glycemic control in T2DM. This chapter will review the rationale for resistance training in the management of GDM using evidence from individuals with T2DM; then the chapter will review available studies on the effectiveness of resistance training on glucose control in women with GDM.

Part of the book: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus