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. The results highlight the importance of focusing on nutrition before conceiving—not only during pregnancy—in order to promote healthy pregnancies. "Our findings underscore the significance of preconception dietary intake of calcium and zinc in potentially reducing the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy," said Liping Lu, MD, Ph.
D., who conducted the research as a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University and is now an assistant professor at Ball State University. "Higher intakes of zinc and calcium before conception, derived from diet and supplements, are both associated with a lower risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
" Lu presents the findings at NUTRITION 2024 , the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held June 29–July 2 in Chicago. 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.
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