Higher levels of vitamin D during pregnancy will likely result in children with stronger muscles.
“Milk does a body good” has long been a campaign slogan promoting the consumption of milk. But a new study at the University of Southampton reveals that the amount of vitamin D in a pregnant woman’s body can affect the muscle strength of her child.
Low vitamin D can lead to reduced muscle strength in adults and children, so most women are urged to take vitamin D supplements during pregnancy.
Prior to this study, little was actually known about the correlation between vitamin D during pregnancy and muscle strength in the child later on.
The Study
The Southampton Women’s Survey is one of the largest globally, and included 678 women. Vitamin D levels were measured in the later stages of the women’s pregnancy.
Then, when the children turned four, they were tested on both grip strength and muscle mass. Results of the study revealed a direct link between higher levels of vitamin D in the mother and higher grip strength in the child, but a less direct link between mother’s vitamin D and child’s muscle mass.
It is likely that this link will have consequences later in life as we age. As muscle strength declines in older age, it affects one’s grip. Low grip strength in mature adults is connected with other poor health issues such as fall, fractures and diabetes.
It is probable that children with a greater grip at age 4 will have less muscle loss in their senior years, which would lead to less muscle related illness.
How to Get More Vitamin D
Vitamin D is found in a few natural foods, and our bodies turn sunlight into vitamin D. Over-the-counter supplements are also available.
In American diets, we get most of our vitamin D from fortified foods.
- Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel top the best sources list.
- Beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks contain small amounts.
- Mushrooms provide some vitamin D. And vitamin D is being heightened in some mushrooms by being exposed to ultraviolet light, but these mushrooms are only newly available and only in some stores.
- Nearly all of U.S. milk is fortified with vitamin D (400 IU per quart). However, food products made from milk such as cheese and ice cream are usually not fortified.
- Vitamin D is also commonly added to many breakfast cereals and to a few brands of orange juice, yogurt, margarine, and soy beverages.
The National Institute of Health recommends the following amounts of vitamin D.
| Life Stage | Recommended Amount |
| Birth to 12 months |
400 IU |
| Children 1–13 years |
600 IU |
| Teens 14–18 years |
600 IU |
| Adults 19–70 years |
600 IU |
| Adults 71 years and older |
800 IU |
| Pregnant and breastfeeding women |
600 IU |
If you or someone you know is pregnant, make sure to take the vitamin D supplements recommended by your All About Women physician, and please contact us if you have any health questions or concerns.
