Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Health & Fitness

Pregnant women should increase vitamin D levels

Darpan News Desk, 13 Dec, 2016 11:19 AM
  • Pregnant women should increase vitamin D levels
New studies have shown how important it is for pregnant women to have optimal blood levels of vitamin D to help lower the risk of their babies developing multiple sclerosis and autism.
 
A newly published study in Neurology from Danish researchers has found that babies born within the lowest quintile of vitamin D levels had twice the risk for future multiple sclerosis (MS) as infants born in the highest quintile. This led the researchers to conclude that low concentrations of neonatal vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of MS.
  
Adding further support for increased vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women is a new study published in Molecular Psychiatry on autism. The large population-based cohort of mothers and their children found that gestational vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increase in autism-related traits in 6-year-old children linking gestational vitamin D deficiency and altered brain development. 
 
Dr. Reinhold Vieth, Scientific Advisor for the Vitamin D Society and retired professor at the University of Toronto, says that in addition to lowering the risk of developing multiple sclerosis and autism, a clinical trial now shows that risk of premature birth is lower if American women raise their blood vitamin D levels that match amounts that are naturally present in the blood of women living in the tropics.
 
“Getting vitamin D levels of pregnant women that are ‘natural for human beings’ will have a beneficial effect on infant health that will last a lifetime,” says Dr. Vieth.
 
Vitamin D scientists recommend that everyone including pregnant women reach a vitamin D blood level of between 100-150 nmol/L. Pregnant Canadian women, especially through winter, should consider taking up to 4,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 supplement for the best health of their future baby. You should test your 25(OH)D blood level after 3 months and see if the 100 nmol/L level has been achieved. If not adjust your dosage.
 
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Health Canada have recommended that the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of vitamin D for pregnant women is 4,000 IU/d. This represents the maximum daily intake that is unlikely to cause adverse health effects. Previous randomized controlled trial studies have proved the safety and effectiveness of pregnant women taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 supplementation per day.
 
“This new research adds valuable scientific evidence proving the importance for pregnant women to have optimal vitamin D levels between 100-150 nmol/L for the health of their new infant,” says Perry Holman, Executive Director of the Vitamin D Society. 

MORE Health & Fitness ARTICLES

Reducing the Risks of Breast Cancer

Reducing the Risks of Breast Cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As the most common cancer among Canadian women, it’s hard not to know someone who hasn’t been affected by breast cancer.

Reducing the Risks of Breast Cancer

Stay fit come rain or shine

Stay fit come rain or shine

It’s always sad to see it go, but the season of sun is on its way out and fall and winter a...

Stay fit come rain or shine

A motion capture suit, arm sleeve for Parkinson’s patients

A motion capture suit, arm sleeve for Parkinson’s patients
Using the suit, researchers will be able to more accurately report and assess tremors. 

A motion capture suit, arm sleeve for Parkinson’s patients

7 Ways to Have a Better Morning

7 Ways to Have a Better Morning
Yoga legend Aadil Palkhivala offers these tips that will make it easier to get going in the morning

7 Ways to Have a Better Morning

When Working Out in the Heat

When Working Out in the Heat
We’re all excited once summer comes – the season for getting outside and getting active. Whether that means running, hiking, cycling, or performing any other form of outdoor exercise, you’ve finally got the weather on your side.

When Working Out in the Heat

Summer is the season to boost vitamin D levels

Summer is the season to boost vitamin D levels
According to the Vitamin D Society, summer is the best time for Canadians to naturally generate vitamin D, which has many positive effects, including reducing the risk of developing serious diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and others.

Summer is the season to boost vitamin D levels