Submitted by Armen Hareyan on Feb 20th, 2005
Calcium may prevent gestational hypertension during pregnancy. Blood pressure increases, including gestational hypertension (GH) and pre-eclampsia (PE), can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes and heighten risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Calcium in the diet may influence a woman's risk of developing these pregnancy-related complications.
Scientists studied associations between intake of calcium, omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids and risk of GH and PE in 1,660 women. They assessed diets via questionnaires during first and second trimesters.
After adjusting for numerous variables including age, ethnicity and smoking, researchers found GH rates "fell linearly" across quartiles of calcium intake. For each 300 mg of 1st trimester intake from food, about the amount in a glass of milk, the adjusted odds ratio of GH was 0.80. This effect was greater if systolic BP was 120mmHg or above. Results were similar for second trimester calcium intake.
Researchers found no relation between calcium intake and PE, or of fatty acid intake to either GH or PE. "Calcium in both foods and supplements may prevent gestational hypertension," researchers said.
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The source of this release is http://www.americanheart.org
