Black Maternal Health and Vitamin Deficiencies
by Juanita Barr, MS, RD, LD|Nutrition Counselor, AIDS Outreach Center
According to the CDC, black women are 3 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. This may be due to health disparities such as lack of access to health care and the prevalence of chronic diseases. Unfortunately, medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can increase a mother's chances of developing preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can develop after 20 weeks of pregnancy and results in high blood pressure. The preeclampsia rate is 60 percent higher in black women than in white women.
A mineral deficiency that has been associated with preeclampsia is calcium. WHO recommends 1.5-2.0 g elemental calcium/d. Animal sources high in calcium include milk, cheese, and sardines. Check out the diagram below for plant-based sources of calcium.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html
https://www.preeclampsia.org/public/frontend/assets/img/gallery/D0900705.pdf
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/
https://www.elevatenutrition.com/plant-based-calcium-source-2/
Juanita Barr, MS, RD, LD|Nutrition Counselor
AIDS Outreach Center
400 N Beach Street, Suite 100
Fort Worth, TX 76111