Vitamin D in pregnancy

Another good thing about summer... we get vitamin D from the sun.

New evidence suggests that we need more than we thought we did of this important vitamin that prevents rickets and osteoporosis. Anthony Norman, PhD, of the UC Riverside is an international expert on the subject. has been researching this vitamin for 45 years. He has learned that possibly every organ of the body may be affected by this vitamin and inadequate intake may be implicated in type-1 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, breast and other cnacers, IBS, TB, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. He emphasizes that there is a relationship; not necessarily a cause and he feels more study is needed. Meanwhile, he recommends all adults get 2000 IU daily. However, there can be too much of a good thing and Dr. Norman recommends keepin the level below 10,000 IU daily.

Food sources are somewhat limited but some are now fortifying (milk and orange juice for example). Natural sources include butter, egg yolk, fish oil, fortified milk, leafy green vegetables, and skin exposure to sunlight.

It is believed that the tall buildings that block sunlight, sun screen and more time spent working and playing indoors contributes to the lack of vitamin D we are seeing now. It's probably a good idea to get your exercise outside

Read more in Medical News Today. If you wonder about how this affects you, talk to your doctor about this new information.