Posted on 07/02/2024 8:50:49 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
People with higher intakes of calcium and zinc in the three months before they conceived were significantly less likely to suffer hypertensive disorders during their pregnancy compared with those who had lower intakes of these essential minerals, according to new research.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common disorders of pregnancy and can harm both the pregnant person and the developing fetus. Considering the potential adverse effects of antihypertensive medications during pregnancy, researchers have focused on opportunities to prevent dangerous hypertension-related disorders such as pre-eclampsia through modifiable factors like nutrition.
The researchers conducted two separate studies using data from over 7,700 pregnant women across the U.S. who provided information about their health and diet through a study called the "Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-To-Be."
One study focused on calcium while the other focused on zinc. The researchers analyzed the association between pre-conception intakes of each mineral and rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy after accounting for demographic, lifestyle and health factors that are also related to the risk of hypertension.
The results showed that people in the highest quintile for pre-conception calcium intake were 24% less likely to experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy compared with those in the lowest quintile. For zinc, participants were divided into quartiles and those with the highest pre-conception zinc intakes were 38% less likely to experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy than those with the lowest zinc intakes.
In addition, calcium and zinc are both known to play important roles in metabolic processes related to maintaining the health of blood vessels, providing a plausible biological explanation for the notion that these minerals could help to prevent blood pressure disorders.
Recommendations suggest that women of childbearing age should consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 8 milligrams of zinc daily.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Get extra calcium and enough zinc, while pregnant.
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