Canadian moms and babies seriously lacking vitamin D
The Canadian Pediatric Society recently recommended that adults under 50, especially pregnant and nursing moms need massive increase in vitamin D intake. This means an increase from the daily recommendation of 200 IU (international units) per day to 2,000 IU.
Dr. Bruce Hollis, a scientist who has researched vitamin D in humans for 30 years remarked that Canadian women are “absolutely deficient” in vitamin D. He also stated that it is not enough to for breast-feeding infants to get their needed requirement through human milk.
Vitamin D is important for brain development and to build tolerance against autoimmune diseases. It also protects the mother from uterine infections that can lead to pre-eclampsia - a common disorder that causes high blood pressure and can lead to poor fetal growth and fatal complications in moms and babies if not treated.
On the other hand, deficiencies in early life have been linked with an increased risk of small babies, asthma, diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease, dental malformations and the development of certain cancers.
The main source of vitamin D? Sunshine; cod liver oil, fish like salmon, macharel, and tuna; and fortified foods.
sources: canada.com; NIH fact sheet
Tags: nutrition, health, pregnancy, pregnant women, vitamin D, deficiency
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POSTED IN: Nutrition and Recipes
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