Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To compare dietary magnesium intake and magnesium concentrations in serum, red blood cells (RBC) and urine during pregnancy of women habitually following a long-term plant-based diet and of women following an average Western (control) diet. DESIGN: Prospective study during pregnancy. SETTING: Giessen, Germany. SUBJECTS: Healthy pregnant women (n=108) in their 9-12th, 20-22nd and 36-38th gestational week habitually following a plant-based diet for more than 3 y or an average Western diet. The vegetarians were subdivided into ovo-lacto vegetarians (n=27) and low-meat eaters (n=43). RESULTS: Significant higher dietary magnesium intakes were observed in pregnant women consuming a plant-based diet (508+/-14 mg/day for ovo-lacto vegetarians, P<0.001 and 504+/-11 mg/day for low-meat eaters, P<0.001) than in pregnant women consuming a control diet (412+/-9 mg/day). Serum magnesium concentrations were similar in all diet groups whereas RBC magnesium was slightly higher in low-meat eaters than in controls (P=0.058). Urinary magnesium excretion was higher in ovo-lacto vegetarians (P=0.023), followed by low-meat eaters (P=0.017) when compared to the control group. During the third trimester of pregnancy, the frequency and the occurrence of calf cramps was lower in the plant-based diet group than in the control group (P=0.004 and 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Owing to a higher dietary magnesium intake confirmed by higher urinary magnesium excretion, habitual plant-based diets result in a slightly improved magnesium status during pregnancy and reduce the frequency of calf cramps during the third trimester of pregnancy compared to an average Western diet. Therefore, plant-based diets during pregnancy can be recommended with regard to magnesium supply.
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Authors | C Koebnick, R Leitzmann, A L García, U A Heins, T Heuer, S Golf, N Katz, I Hoffmann, C Leitzmann |
Journal | European journal of clinical nutrition
(Eur J Clin Nutr)
Vol. 59
Issue 2
Pg. 219-25
(Feb 2005)
ISSN: 0954-3007 [Print] England |
PMID | 15454974
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Diet, Vegetarian
- Erythrocytes
(chemistry)
- Female
- Humans
- Magnesium
(administration & dosage, blood, metabolism, urine)
- Magnesium Deficiency
(blood, epidemiology)
- Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Muscle Cramp
(epidemiology, etiology)
- Nutritional Status
- Pregnancy
(blood)
- Prospective Studies
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