According to research, women who take extra vitamin D during pregnancy have children with stronger bones up to the age of seven.
Led by the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton, the study involved bone density scans, revealing that these children had higher calcium levels and greater mineral content, resulting in stronger bones and a reduced risk of fractures.
Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers emphasized the importance of vitamin D intake during pregnancy. Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the body, which are essential for the health of bones, teeth, and muscles.
In 2009, researchers launched the Mavidos (Maternal Vitamin D Osteoporosis) study, selecting over 1,000 women from Southampton, Oxford, and Sheffield. During pregnancy, the women were divided into two groups: one received an extra 1,000 international units of vitamin D daily, while the other was given a placebo.
A spokesperson from the University of Southampton confirmed that the positive effects of vitamin D on children’s bones remained consistent at ages four, six, and seven.
