Calcium, Magnesium and Pregnancy
Women Need Adequate Minerals to Stay Healthy During Pregnancy
May 4, 2009
Hypertensive disorders pose a high risk for women during pregnancy. Five to 10 percent of all expectant American women are affected by such disorders. This figure accounts for approximately 50,000 maternal and fetal deaths annually. When hypertensive disorders such as high blood pressure, toxemia and eclampsia exist during the pregnancy, a difficult and dangerous delivery is practically inevitable.
Calcium Increase Lowers Pregnancy Risks
Research has disclosed that a higher calcium intake will lower the risk for eclampsia during pregnancy. Eclampsia occurs when significant protein in the urine produces hypertension in the mother. Hypertension during pregnancy is a serious condition. Calcium will significantly lower blood pressure in non-pregnant women. It has a tremendous effect on lowering blood pressure during pregnancy. Calcium also allows blood to clot normally, muscles and nerves to function properly, and regulates heartbeat. These benefits are a plus for the mother as well as the unborn child.
Low calcium intake during pregnancy, on the other hand, will result in the depletion of calcium from maternal bone stores. The fetus will take the calcium that it needs as it grows and develops. If calcium levels are not kept high, the mother will most likely suffer from osteoporosis later in life.
A lack of calcium in the diet can also result in toxemia, another hypertensive disorder. Toxemia can create kidney and liver damage or failure. It can also cause vision problems. If treatment is not administered in good timing, the patient can go into convulsions. Such convulsions can lead to coma and even death.
Magnesium Works With Calcium
Like calcium, magnesium works well for the treatment of pre-eclampsia. A magnesium deficiency could result in spasms in the placenta and umbilical cord. Magnesium will help prevent such spasms by causing the muscles to relax. A good balance (1:2 ratio) of magnesium and calcium is important because these two minerals work extremely well together. While magnesium relaxes the muscles, calcium stimulates the muscles to contract. This rhythmic coordination keeps the mother's body in check until the baby is ready to be born. Proper levels of magnesium during pregnancy will help prohibit uterine contractions. Decreasing levels before time may start pre-mature labor.
Magnesium intake is also important for the health of the child as it builds strong bones and teeth and regulates insulin and blood-sugar levels. Certain enzymes also function better in the presence of magnesium. Magnesium is recognized for its ability to control cholesterol and irregular heartbeats.
Get Enough Calcium and Magnesium for a Healthy Pregnancy
Most pregnant women consume too little magnesium and too little calcium. For both mother and child to benefit, between 350 and 360 mg of magnesium should be consumed daily and between 1200 to 1500 mg of calcium. The best sources of calcium are dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, milk, cream soups and pudding. Calcium is also found in dried peas, beans, seafood, broccoli, spinach and other leafy green vegetables. Magnesium can be found in leafy green vegetables, nuts, whole grains, starches, meat and milk.
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