Mothers’ low D promotes overweight kids
Babies whose mothers are low in vitamin D while pregnant are more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) score and excess fat around the waist by age four to six years.
In this study, doctors measured vitamin D levels in 370 pregnant women at week 14, and found average levels were 18.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/mL), with about two thirds of the women below 20 ng/ mL, meaning they were deficient. By ages four to six years, children whose mothers’ vitamin D levels were at or below 15 ng/mL had higher BMI scores and an average .34 inches larger waist circumference compared to children of mothers with higher levels of vitamin D.
Discussing the findings, doctors said even though the increase in abdominal fat may not seem like much, when projected across the entire lifespan may increase chances for health issues later in life.
Vitamin D and breast cancer
Some earlier studies on vitamin D and breast cancer have had inconsistent results. In this study, doctors measured vitamin D levels in 627 Brazilian women, aged 45 to 75, 209 of whom had breast cancer and 418 similar women who did not.
Women with breast cancer were 43 percent more likely to be obese and 13 percent more likely to have insufficient levels of vitamin D, or to be deficient. Doctors said similar studies found women with higher vitamin D levels were more likely to survive, and that women with breast cancer should try to restore vitamin D levels to the normal range.
Reference: Pediatric Obesity; 2018, Vol. 13, No. 8, 467-75
Natural Insights for Well Being January 2019
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