Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin. It is essential for health. It is even more necessary during pregnancy. A healthy dose of vitamin D levels in pregnant mothers ensures a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Vitamin D during pregnancy
According to WebMD, researchers recommend 4,000 IU of vitamin D for a healthy pregnancy. Women who take high doses have sufficient levels of vitamin D.
They also have the lowest rates of pregnancy-related complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. They were less likely to have premature births.
Infants with very low vitamin D levels face an increased danger of soft bones. Studies say that the sunshine vitamin protects against immune system disorders.
Pregnant women can pass on the low levels of vitamin D to their kids. This vitamin is essential for maintaining good levels of calcium and phosphorous. These can help form healthy bones and teeth.
Maintaining good levels of this vitamin becomes essential for both the mother and baby.
According to a Spanish study, babies score higher on developments if their mothers have sufficient vitamin D during pregnancy.
Research studies say higher intake of foods containing vitamin D during pregnancy reduced the risk of allergies in babies.
Researchers say that most significant compounds for human development are D2 and D3. It is essential for healthy cell division and bone health.
Role of vitamin D on general health
Low levels of vitamin D increases the risk of Type 1 diabetes, bone and muscle pain, and an umbrella of cancers. These include cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, ovaries, esophagus and lymphatic system.
It reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
How to get vitamin D?
This is a very interesting question. The vitamin D3 primarily comes from sunlight. Dr. Helen Macdonald of the University of Aberdeen says UV-B rays makes the vitamin D.
It is better to get sunlight during lunch time than to get it after work. This is because UV-B rays are highest at lunch time. That is we can make vitamin D only in spring and summer. This is true for people living in higher latitudes above 35 degrees North or South of the Equator.
We need a healthy diet in addition to sunlight. The other form of vitamin D is found in egg yolk, mushrooms, farmed salmon, sardines, mackerel and fortified bread and cereals.
We can also get vitamin D from fortified dairy products, orange juice, cheese, and canned tuna fish, cod liver oil and soy milk.
Bodily processes convert vitamin D into circulatory form, which is then followed by active form. This type of vitamin D promotes calcium absorption, cell growth and immunity.
Bottom line
Vitamin D is essential for a healthy pregnancy. It is good for the mother and baby. Mothers can pass on their low levels of this vitamin to their kids. This may affect the health of the child.
Therefore, it is essential a pregnant mother eats a healthy diet and gets adequate sunlight exposure to have the necessary levels of vitamin D.
