Recent studies have revealed some interesting pregnancy findings: People who consumed more calcium and zinc in the three months prior to conception were significantly less likely to develop hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
Not only what you eat during pregnancy is important, but what you eat before you become pregnant is also important.
Meet the Scientist: Liping Lu, MD, PhD
Let me introduce you to Liping Lu, who led this fascinating research while she was a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University and is now an assistant professor at Ball State University.
She stresses the importance of getting enough calcium and zinc in your diet before pregnancy to lower the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
“Getting enough zinc and calcium from diet and supplements before pregnancy may lower the risk,” Lu points out.
The important findings will be presented at NUTRITION 2024, the American Academy of Nutrition’s annual conference in Chicago.
Understanding High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is one of the most frequent conditions during pregnancy and can affect both the pregnant woman and the developing fetus.
The potential side effects of antihypertensive drugs during pregnancy highlight the need to investigate preventable factors, such as nutrition, to combat hypertension-related diseases, such as preeclampsia.
Intensive nutritional management is often only considered once pregnancy is confirmed, but Lu argues that pre-pregnancy nutrition is crucial, as it can take a significant amount of time for the body to correct deficiencies and imbalances.
The role of nutrition before pregnancy
“Women’s health during the preconception period is strongly linked to pregnancy outcomes,” Lu asserted.
“Having adequate nutrients and minerals in your body before pregnancy will ensure optimal nutrition during pregnancy and support the early stages of fetal growth and development.”
The studies were conducted separately for calcium and zinc, using data from more than 7,700 pregnant women across the United States who shared their health and diet information through the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Prenatal Monitoring.
Zinc, Calcium, and Healthy Pregnancy
Those with the highest calcium intake before pregnancy were 24% less likely to develop hypertensive disorders during pregnancy compared with those with the lowest calcium intake.
The same trend was seen for zinc, with women with the highest pre-pregnancy zinc intakes being a whopping 38% less likely to develop hypertensive disorders during pregnancy than those with the lowest zinc intakes.
Although these observational studies do not inherently prove causality, the results are consistent with association studies showing that higher intakes of these minerals are associated with a reduced risk of hypertension-related diseases outside of pregnancy.
Calcium and zinc are known to play important roles in metabolic processes related to maintaining vascular health.
This provides a plausible biological explanation for the hypothesis that these minerals help prevent blood pressure disorders.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that women of childbearing age take 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 8 milligrams of zinc daily.
So, for prospective mothers, it’s never too early to start focusing on a nutritious diet for your own health and the health of your future child.
The future of preconception care
Liping Lu’s pioneering research opens the door to a broader discussion about the importance of preconception care.
As more research highlights the importance of pre-pregnancy nutrition and lifestyle choices, healthcare professionals and prospective parents alike are encouraged to be proactive about their health long before becoming pregnant.
This paradigm shift toward pre-pregnancy health could have far-reaching effects, potentially reducing the incidence of hypertension and other pregnancy-related complications.
By promoting pre-conception nutritional counselling and supporting further research in this area, we can pave the way for healthier pregnancies and brighter futures for parents and children.
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