7 Problems Prevented by Magnesium During Pregnancy
The need for many vitamins and minerals increases during pregnancy. These needs are essential for healthy baby development and a smooth birth. Let’s talk about the effects of magnesium intake during pregnancy on baby and maternal health.
About 2 million people worldwide are at risk of micronutrient deficiency. For this reason, it is necessary to comply with the recommendations of micronutrient supplements both in order to meet the needs of the pregnant woman during pregnancy and in the development of the cognitive skills of the baby during the womb process and after birth. Pregnancy is one of the most important life periods in which the need for micro and macro nutrients increases.
The effect of nutritional deficiencies on chronic diseases:
Today, the effects of epigenetic effects of micronutrient deficiencies starting in the womb are investigated on chronic diseases that occur in adulthood. Therefore, due to the lifetime effects of micronutrient deficiencies between generations and their reproductive outcomes, both clinical and public health measures should be carefully regulated before pregnancy, during pregnancy, lactation, and the first few years of life. During these periods, the need for folic acid, calcium, zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium increases.
Magnesium is an essential mineral necessary for the regulation of body temperature, nucleic acid and protein synthesis required for cell renewal, and for nerve and muscle cells to function properly.
1) METABOLIC EFFECTS 2013
In a study published in March, compared to two groups of pregnant women (9090 pregnant women and their babies) with and without magnesium support, no significant difference was found between the two groups, but especially two of the 10 studies considered were strong studies, and the results of these studies decreased the mortality rate of babies, the risk of preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning) and low birth weight baby in the group receiving magnesium. However, when a review was made with the results of other unregulated studies, the difference could not be shown significantly.
Another issue: Cerebral palsy, developmental disability, and mental health disorders start while in the womb. This situation causes a great economic and emotional burden as the affected individuals affect their functions in almost all areas of their lives. Current treatment options are based on recovery, rehabilitation and regeneration after injury rather than preventing initial damage. In prevention therapy, we should try to change the environment of the fetus in the womb, but we are treated cautiously with concern for teratogenic effects (causing harm to the baby by structural impairment if exposed). There are studies on animals with natural health products. Among these studies, clinical studies on magnesium have been completed and effective results have been obtained on animal species.
2) PREGNANCY CRAMPS
Magnesium has a relaxing effect on muscle and nerve bundles. With this feature, it can be used to potentiate the effects of medicines containing progesterone in the groin abdominal pain that occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy. In the second trimester of pregnancy, leg cramps increase. This situation disrupts the patient’s sleep patterns and reduces the quality of life. It is used to reduce leg cramps during this period.
3) INSOMNIA
Insomnia is one of the most common problems encountered by pregnant women. Pregnant women suffer from insomnia due to groin pain in the early stages of pregnancy, due to leg cramps, which are more prominent at night, and in the third trimester due to an enlarged uterus and anxiety caused by difficulty breathing. Magnesium functions at the level of neurotransmitters (chemicals that provide communication between neurons or between one neuron and another cell), accelerating sleep transition.
4) NAUSEATION – VOMITING
Although the primary cause of pregnancy vomiting was hormonal changes occurring during this period, it was observed that giving magnesium supplementation reduced stress and caused nausea to decrease.
5) MIGRAINE
Magnesium supplementation reduces migraine attacks that increase during pregnancy. With the changes occurring in the ion channels in the brain root, veins expand with neural effects, and headache occurs with increased blood supply to the brain. Magnesium support helps regulate ion channels.
6) OSTEOLYSIS
Adequate intake of magnesium during pregnancy reduces the risk of osteoporosis in the future.
7) SKIN HEALTH
Magnesium intake helps restore irritated and dry skin to health.
How much should magnesium supplement be during pregnancy?
Various studies related to magnesium supplementation in pregnancy have reported different doses. Magnesium supplementation is often recommended at a daily dose of 350 mg, but studies suggesting 2000 mg of magnesium supplement have also been reported.
The main foods containing magnesium are:
● Spinach, green beans, broccoli, cabbage are the vegetables with the most intense magnesium. There are approximately 75 mg of magnesium in 100 grams of spinach.
● Bananas and avocado are fruits rich in magnesium.
● Dried fruits are rich in magnesium.
● Milk and dairy products are rich in magnesium.
● Rice and cereal foods are rich in magnesium.
● Pumpkin, sunflower seeds are rich in magnesium, but since it is rich in calories, the amount of consumption needs to be adjusted.
● Peanut, almond, cashew are rich in magnesium
