The human body needs an appropriate balance of vitamins to function at its best. But for pregnant women, this becomes even more important. Wondering why? Read on…
Birth Problems
Scientists are finding links to gum disease in pregnant moms and premature births . What causes gum disease? Amongst other things, low levels of Vitamin D are to blame . What’s more, the premature babies often suffer from tooth problems of their own.
In one investigation of 135 babies whose mothers had inadequate Vitamin D levels, 21.6% suffered from enamel defects, and 33.6% had signs of tooth decay . Infants can even develop soft bones or a condition known as rickets (which leads to bowed legs and a brittle skeleton), if their Vitamin D levels sink too low.
Defend Yourself with Vitamin D
There are easy ways to ensure an expectant mother has adequate doses of Vitamin D. Fortified milk, fatty fish such as salmon, and prenatal vitamins are great sources. But an even more abundant source of Vitamin D is exposure to the sun (within healthy limits of course) . Before drastically changing your diet, visit your doctor to discuss. You can even get a blood test to monitor your current levels of Vitamin D.
DID YOU KNOW?
Scientists have tentatively linked obesity to low blood levels of Vitamin D. A study of dieters even suggests that supplementing a low-calorie diet with the vitamin can help dieters shed weight with greater ease.
Get to the Dentist!
Because of irregular hormone activity, pregnant women can suffer from unexpected oral health problems. Raw, bleeding or inflamed gums from ‘pregnancy gingivitis’ are not uncommon, for example. It’s important to be extra-vigilant with your teeth cleaning regime during this time, and cut down on sweets that may damage your teeth. Visit your dentist to prepare for any dental issues you might experience.
