The German “Doctors’ Journal” reported that taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy improves bone density in children, according to the results of a recent study conducted by the University of Southampton and Southampton University Hospital.
The German magazine explained that in this study, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, pregnant women were randomly divided into two groups, where one group took an additional 1,000 international units of vitamin D daily, while the other group took a placebo tablet.
Previous research evaluated the bone health of children at the age of four, and the results showed that bone mass was greater in children born to mothers who took vitamin D supplements during pregnancy compared to children of mothers who did not take the supplements.
In the recent study, researchers investigated whether effects on bone health persisted into mid-childhood and followed 454 children aged 6 to 7 years.
The results of the recent study showed that the beneficial effect on children’s bones was similar at the ages of four and six to seven.
The researchers believe that these results reinforce the importance of taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy, as this early intervention strengthens children’s bones and reduces the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis and fractures later in life, since bones contain more calcium and minerals. It is stronger and therefore less likely to break.
It is noteworthy that vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are essential minerals for bones, teeth, and muscle health.