Study Links Low Maternal Zinc Intake To High Blood Pressure Risk

While experiencing high blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy does not necessarily cause a mother-to-be to feel unwell, it can cause serious problems. These include reduced blood flow to the placenta, separation of the placenta from the inner wall of the uterus, decreased fetal growth, and premature delivery. In some cases, it can also lead to what is known as preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia occurs when high blood pressure develops after around 20 weeks of pregnancy. Associated with signs of damage to the kidneys, liver, brain, and other organs, if untreated it can lead to serious – and potentially even fatal – complications for mother and baby. These can include eclampsia, a condition in which seizures develop.

Ensuring proper levels of the correct micronutrients is essential for the prevention and control of high blood pressure. Research shows that levels of vitamin C are inversely associated with blood pressure, for example. In addition to vitamin C, Dr. Rath’s Cellular Medicine approach to high blood pressure includes the use of magnesium and the amino acids arginine, lysine, and proline. Using a carefully chosen synergistic combination of micronutrients has been scientifically shown to result in better control of blood pressure than high doses of any individual micronutrient used alone.

To learn more about the importance of micronutrients during pregnancy, see parts one and two of the special pregnancy feature article on our website.