Calcium can reduce the risk of preeclampsia, especially if a person’s intake is low.[1][2] Low intake of calcium is somewhat common, even in the US.[3] Calcium may help by decreasing smooth muscle contractility and increasing vasodilation, thereby lowering blood pressure.[4]
Selenium may reduce preeclampsia risk in populations where deficiency is common, such as the UK. Conversely, intake of selenium in North America tends to be sufficient.[5] Selenium’s mechanism in preeclampsia is unknown, but it is likely related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.[6]
Supplementation with vitamin D has shown inconsistent benefits for reducing preeclampsia risk.[7] [2][8] In addition to its vital role in calcium absorption, vitamin D may assist in endothelial repair and angiogenesis.[7][2]
Depending on a person’s diet, a pregnancy-based multivitamin (commonly called a prenatal) may reduce the risk of preeclampsia, since it contains the above nutrients. These prenatals may also include vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), all of which are beneficial in people who are deficient. However, there is a wide variation in the quantity and quality of these nutrients across commercially available prenatals.[1]
References
- ^American College of Obstetricians and GynecologistsGestational Hypertension and PreeclampsiaObstetrics & Gynecology.(June 2020)
- ^Khaing W, Vallibhakara SA, Tantrakul V, Vallibhakara O, Rattanasiri S, McEvoy M, Attia J, Thakkinstian ACalcium and Vitamin D Supplementation for Prevention of Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.Nutrients.(2017-Oct-18)
- ^Bailey RL, Dodd KW, Goldman JA, Gahche JJ, Dwyer JT, Moshfegh AJ, Sempos CT, Picciano MFEstimation of total usual calcium and vitamin D intakes in the United StatesJ Nutr.(2010 Apr)
- ^Belizán JM, Villar J, Repke JThe relationship between calcium intake and pregnancy-induced hypertension: up-to-date evidence.Am J Obstet Gynecol.(1988-Apr)
- ^Adams JB, Sorenson JC, Pollard EL, Kirby JK, Audhya TEvidence-Based Recommendations for an Optimal Prenatal Supplement for Women in the U.S., Part Two: Minerals.Nutrients.(2021-May-28)
- ^Xu M, Guo D, Gu H, Zhang L, Lv SSelenium and Preeclampsia: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysisBiol Trace Elem Res.(2016 Jun)
- ^Elżbieta Poniedziałek-Czajkowska, Radzisław MierzyńskiCould Vitamin D Be Effective in Prevention of Preeclampsia?Nutrients.(2021 Oct 28)
- ^Ota E, da Silva Lopes K, Middleton P, Flenady V, Wariki WM, Rahman MO, Tobe-Gai R, Mori RAntenatal interventions for preventing stillbirth, fetal loss and perinatal death: an overview of Cochrane systematic reviews.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2020-Dec-18)