What is magnesium used for in pregnancy?
Magnesium is one of the most important elements for the body, particularly for women, as it plays an essential role in some phases of life, such as pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Magnesium intake during pregnancy
During pregnancy it is normal for the intake requirements of fundamental micro- and macro-nutrients to increase, particularly vitamins (especially Vitamin D and Vitamin B9, the famous folic acid) and minerals, including iron, calcium and iodine. And what about magnesium?
When a healthy, balanced diet meets the body’s normal intake requirements, which for pregnant women is 320-360 mg of magnesium a day, there is no need for supplements, even though there are no specific contraindications for a higher daily magnesium intake. The problem arises when there is a magnesium deficiency, caused by an insufficient intake in the diet or an excessive loss that the body cannot compensate, due to intense sweating or vomiting caused by prolonged nausea during pregnancy.
The importance of magnesium during pregnancy
If magnesium deficiency occurs during pregnancy, a correct integration with specific food supplements certainly helps to restore normal levels of this mineral. Taking magnesium during pregnancy is important as it contributes to:
- Correct foetal development
- Preventing the risk of premature births and underweight newborn babies
- Reducing the risk of hypertension during pregnancy
- Regulating uterine contractions and preventing muscle cramps
- Reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia or gestosis
- Reducing tiredness and fatigue
- Regulating mood swings
- Regulating the sleep-wake cycle and facilitating relaxation and night-time rest
Contraindication for magnesium during pregnancy
Our body is able to self-regulate any excess magnesium by storing it in the bones on one hand and, on the other, through normal elimination in the urine.
However, taking more magnesium than the recommended doses can cause gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and/or diarrhoea. The reason for this is that our intestines cannot always tolerate and correctly absorb magnesium salts. To minimise these problems, UltraMag® uses only Sucrosomial® Magnesium, a type of magnesium encapsulated in an innovative protective matrix (Sucrosoma®), which helps the mineral to withstand the gastric environment and be released directly in the intestines. UltraMag® therefore does not cause gastrointestinal problems and is absorbed more effectively, becoming immediately bioavailable to the body.