Vitamin-D During Pregnancy Prevents Children From Developing Allergies

Pregnancy is an important phase that needs a change in your diet and lifestyle. A pregnant women needs to pay more attention when it comes to diet. More intake of Vitamin-D rich foods during pregnancy may decrease the risk of developing allergies in children, according to a study.

For women who are going through any stage of pregnancy, Vitamin D can play a great role in the fetal prenatal growth and development. Researchers have declared that higher the intake of Vitamin D during pregnancy, stronger is the immunity of an unborn baby, which further helps prevent development of allergies in childhood or later life.

A pregnant woman who eats foods loaded with Vitamin D is doing a great favor to her baby by reducing the risk of developing allergies. However, the consumption of Vitamin D supplements may not provide same benefits.

According to researchers, deficiency of vitamin D has some connection with allergic symptoms; however, there is no scientific evidence to prove. To know the link between this, a group of medical experts studied nearly 1,250 pregnant mother and their children. They took first trimester of pregnancy into consideration. In this study, experts observed the beneficial effects of vitamin D on children through pregnant women. Pregnant women were advised to include vitamin D-rich foods in their daily diet. They were asked to drink a glass of milk every day.

Researchers found that the intake of Vitamin D during pregnancy decreases the risk of hay fever (allergic rhinitis) in children. Mothers who had good amount of Vitamin D intake had children with 20% less chance of developing hay fever at schooling age. However, it is not the case with Vitamin D supplements.

This looked like it worked only in those who had natural intake of Vitamin D. The children of mothers with Vitamin D supplementation did not receive any advantage of lower incidence of allergic rhinitis or any other allergies. To know more, read “Pregnancy Habit & Child Birth Defects”.

Vitamin D has the ability to boost the immune system. Hence, the body’s ability to fight off allergens or any other foreign bodies is significantly increased. This study may encourage the nutritional recommendations and counseling to include healthy pregnancy diet.

One of the most natural sources of Vitamin D is sunlight. Early morning exposure to sun can help body produce enough Vitamin D. Other natural sources include milk, dairy products, eggs, oily fish (sardines, salmon and mackerel), cereals, and mushrooms.

You can look for best prenatal vitamin supplements and other pregnancy foods that help promote healthy fetal growth and development.