Recently, a meta-analysis suggested that magnesium deficiencies could promote premature births. However, there are other factors that can cause premature birth. If magnesium deficiency is one of these factors, is it so important?
According to Inserm, about 50,000 babies are born prematurely each year in France, i.e. before eight and a half months of pregnancy. However, it turns out that this phenomenon is on the increase. Above all, you should know that the factors of premature births are diverse but also unknown.
In a publication of the British National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the causes mentioned is magnesium deficiency . This possible cause would then be added to the many factors already identified. These include being pregnant with twins or more, the presence of a urinary tract infection, abnormal bleeding from the vagina or even diabetes, stress and pollution.
You should know that magnesium is the chemical element with atomic number 12 (Mg). If the body does not produce it, it loses it, in particular through physical activity or stress. Thus, it is incumbent to "recharge the batteries" regularly. The effects of magnesium are beneficial for our organism , participating among other things in the formation of bones and teeth, growth or the transmission of nerve impulses and brain plasticity.
With the long list of factors causing premature births, it is therefore difficult to believe that the problem can be solved by focusing only on magnesium. However, a meta-analysis published in the journal Nutrition Reviews June 1, 2020 seems to have found a correlation . This meta-analysis incorporates observational studies on magnesium deficiency in pregnant women. There is also talk of clinical studies whose objective was to see if nutritional supplementation could have an effect on prematurity. We should also mention the presence of ecological studies whose objective was to measure the magnesium of the soil.
Observational studies show an inverse relationship between serum (blood) magnesium concentration and the risk of prematurity. On the other hand, clinical studies suggest a reduction in risk of 4 to 65% in women aged 20 to 35 supplementing with magnesium. Finally, ecological studies also show an inverse relationship between magnesium concentration in the soil and prematurity (in the United States).
In short, it may well be that this meta-analysis could prompt doctors to monitor magnesium levels in their pregnant patients. In addition, it should be remembered that a good diet on a daily basis is the key to getting enough magnesium.
