Toxemia of pregnancy: The dietary calcium hypothesis
1981
Various studies on the possible causes of toxemia of pregnancy have indicated nutritional deficiencies, but the specific causes are unknown. A recent investigation revealed the efficacy of calcium supplementation in reducing the incidence of toxemia in Indian women by 10%, and this is supported by observations of dietary intake in Ethiopia and Guatemala, both of which have native diets high in calcium and toxemia rates lower than most other countries. The pathogenesis of edema-, proteinuria-, and hypertension-gestosis may be associated with vasoconstriction; it has been noted that high calcium-content water is related to lower blood pressure, and calcium deficiency can contribute to raised blood pressure. Thus, calcium intake may be a variable in toxemia of pregnancy.
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