Potassium

Potassium is crucial during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum due to its pivotal role in maintaining fluid balance, blood pressure, and muscle function. 

Adequate potassium levels support maternal cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of hypertension and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. It also aids in the development of the baby's nervous system and muscle tissues. 

In the postpartum period, potassium contributes to recovery by regulating fluid balance and assisting in muscle contraction, essential for uterine involution and overall maternal well-being. Ensuring sufficient potassium intake through a balanced diet is vital for supporting the physiological demands of each stage.

References:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 203: Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 135(3), e63–e80. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003768

Gropper, S., Smith, J., & Groff, J. (2009). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (5th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. (2011). Clinical Preventive Services for Women: Closing the Gaps. National Academies Press.

Gennari, F. J. (2002). Hypokalemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(21), 1585–1592. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9700180/