New study: Can a keto diet result in birth defects?

You may have seen this in the news ...

"Can a keto low-carb diet result in birth defects? Well, that’s what you may think, reading this article from the Daily Mail today, based on a new observational study:
( http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bdr2.1198/full )

Daily Mail: Low carb diets like Atkins, Paleo or Keto linked to risk of birth defects including spina bifida, study claims
( http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5309613/Low-carb-diets-linked-risk-birth-defects.html )

The argument is that lower carb diets can lead to a lower intake of folic acid, if people eat less bread. White bread normally has close to zero vitamins and minerals, which is why it’s fortified with some added vitamins, like folic acid.

A new observational study found that pregnant women who reported eating few carbs also ate less folic acid (likely for this reason) and their babies had a borderline significant 30% increase in the risk of some birth defects, like spina bifada, that may be caused by a lack of folic acid:

Birth Defects Research: Low carbohydrate diets may increase risk of neural tube defects
( http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bdr2.1198/full )

Weaknesses
There are plenty of weaknesses with the study, primarily that it’s observational, meaning it’s just based on statistical correlations (weak ones, in this case). This means the study simply can’t prove whether the defects were caused by folic acid deficiency, or the diet of the mothers, or something else.

The mothers who reported a lower carb intake were also older, more obese, smoked more and drank more alcohol, all things that may be connected to an increased risk of birth defects, so it’s perhaps not a fair comparison.

However, even if the study is hardly the final word on the topic, it can still be a good idea to make sure to eat enough folic acid if you may be about to become pregnant. Just to be safe.

How to eat plenty of folate on low carb and keto

Fortunately, it’s not necessary to eat flour (clearly not great for anyone’s health) with artificially added vitamins just to get enough folic acid. You could also just eat vitamins as a supplement, negating the need to eat flour+vitamins. Or, you could eat real low-carb foods.

Some of the most folic acid-rich foods in the world happen to be low in carbs, including vegetables (particularly dark green leafy vegetables). Avocado, spinach, liver, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts are among the foods with the highest levels of folic acid, and it’s also found in dairy products, poultry and meat, eggs and seafood.
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folate )

Sounds like a low-carb diet to me."

Words above from Diet Doctor site here
https://www.dietdoctor.com/can-keto-diet-result-birth-defects

All the best Jan

Obviously expectant mothers should eat a vegan diet, just like everyone else. What could possibly go wrong?

I also put this post on the blog

Part of one comment received said:
"This really is a bit more scaremongering from the dietician crowd of evil geniuses so I would have no compunctions about asserting in reply that a diet high in wheat, sugar, milk, margarine and potatoes definitely causes birth problems. Weston Price had a few interesting things to say about the terrible effects of western foods on post-contact indigenous child development and health."

Part of another comment said:
"As you say, many factors are involved in the causes of birth defects...like obesity, smoking, drinking etc.
A sad fact of life, I guess."

If you wish to, you can read more here
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/new-study-can-keto-diet-result-in-birth.html

All the best Jan