(July 17, 2008 - Insidermedicine) A high fiber diet can help stave off a serious complication of pregnancy known as preeclampsia, according to research published in the Journal of Hypertension.

Here is some information on preeclampsia:

•    It occurs when a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

•    While swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches, and changes in vision are all indicators, some women notice few if any symptoms.

•    Potentially lethal complications include stroke and kidney failure.

Researchers from the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle looked at the diets of over 1,500 pregnant women to see if they had an impact on pregnancy outcomes. In particular, they focused on what the women ate before they became pregnant and during their first trimester.

Women whose diets included over 21.2 grams of fiber a day reduced their risk of preeclampsia by two-thirds, compared with those who ate less than 11.9 grams. Two slices of whole wheat bread has about 5 grams of fiber.

Today's research demonstrates how high fiber intake before pregnancy and early in pregnancy can dramatically reduce the risk of a serious complication that can be lethal to both mother and child.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.