Vitamin D and pregnancy
Vitamin D is a steroidal
vitamin from the group of fat-soluble prohormones. Vitamin D and pregnancy are
important together. Expectant mothers should ensure they are getting the
recommended amount of vitamin D during pregnancy, both for their own well-being
and for the healthy development of their baby. The most important compounds for
human development are D2 and D3.
Does my prenatal vitamin contain enough vitamin D?
Your prenatal vitamin is
unlikely to provide enough vitamin D. A recent study found that women taking
4,000 IU of vitamin D daily had the greatest benefit in preventing preterm
labor and infections.
The study confirmed that
vitamin D at this level is not only safe for you, but also for your baby, and
the researchers in this study now recommend this daily dose of vitamin D for
all pregnant women. On average, a prenatal vitamin contains only 400 IU of
vitamin D, so additional daily supplements are needed.
Why is vitamin D needed during pregnancy?
Vitamin D is good for your personal
health. Vitamin D is currently the subject of extensive research supporting its
role in immune function, healthy cell division, and bone health. Vitamin D is
essential for the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. Numerous
studies have linked low serum vitamin D levels to an increased risk of certain
types of cancer, autoimmune disease, neurological disease, insulin resistance,
and cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin D contributes to your
child's well-being by supporting healthy bone development. Vitamin D deficiency
is also associated with preeclampsia.
What contributes to vitamin D deficiency?
These foods include egg yolk,
salmon, and fish oil. However, most vitamin D is consumed through fortified
foods such as milk. For 75% of the population with lactose intolerance,
fortified dairy products are not a reliable source of vitamin D intake.
In addition, many factors
affect the body's ability to produce and absorb vitamin D. These include: where
you live, time of year, amount of time you spend outdoors without sunscreen,
skin pigmentation, age, obesity, pollution, and gut health. optimal nutrition.
absorption capacity. These factors come into play because vitamin D is actually
a hormone and needs sunlight in order for the body to produce it properly.
What steps can you take to get vitamin D?
You can start by trying to eat
more foods containing vitamin D. Further, studies show that reasonable exposure
to sunlight (usually 5-10 minutes of exposure to arms and legs or hands, arms,
arms and face, 2 or 3 times per day) week) can also help.
However, the best way to ensure adequate vitamin D intake is through simple supplements. When you supplement, you have a choice of two forms of vitamin D. Ergocalciferol is the vegetarian form of vitamin D, and cholecalciferol is the animal-based form, usually derived from fish oil or sheep lanolin.