It starts with expectant mothers.
A recent study from the University of Southampton suggests that vitamin D supplements taken during pregnancy can lead to stronger bones in children. The research found that children whose mothers took vitamin D supplements during pregnancy had denser, stronger bones by age 7 compared to those whose mothers did not. This early intervention could provide long-term benefits, helping to reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis and fractures later in life, according to the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Rebecca Moon.
Vitamin D, often called the “sunshine vitamin,” is crucial for bone health as it regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the body—minerals essential for maintaining strong bones, teeth, and muscles. The British team aimed to determine whether maintaining good vitamin D levels during pregnancy could have lasting benefits for children’s bone health.
To conduct the study, researchers randomly assigned over 1,000 pregnant women to two groups. One group received 1,000 International Units of vitamin D daily, while the other received a placebo. The bone health of 454 children from these pregnancies was assessed at ages 4, 6, and 7, and those whose mothers had received the vitamin D supplements had stronger bone density starting at age 4. These benefits were evident through age 7.
The researchers suggest that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may trigger changes in fetal gene activity, particularly in genes associated with the vitamin D pathway, which influences bone development. This mechanism may help explain the improved bone health in children. Additionally, past research by Moon’s team has suggested that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may also reduce the likelihood of conditions like eczema in children and lower the risk of a mother needing a C-section.
Overall, the study highlights the potential for vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy to promote better bone health in children and suggests broader health benefits for both mothers and their children.
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