Increased Vitamin D intake in pregnancy may shield newborns from respiratory infections and asthma, according to a new study. Lead researcher of the study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Catherine Hawrylowicz from King's College London said, "The majority of all asthma cases are diagnosed in early childhood implying that the origin of the disease stems in foetal and early life."

For the study the team looked at the effect of taking a supplement of 4,400 IU (International Unit) vitamin D3 per day during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy versus the recommended daily intake (RDI) of 400 IU/day, had on the immune system of the newborn. The researchers posited,that an increased intake in the pregnancy may prove beneficial to slight degree, by improving immune response of the infant.

The strong immune responses in early life, has been linked with decreased development of respiratory ailments like asthma in later life. With the new findings, the team believes that the desirous effect will lead to into an improved respiratory health of the child.

Hawrylowicz said, "Studies to date that have investigated links between vitamin D and immunity in the baby have been observational. For the first time, we have shown that higher Vitamin D levels in pregnancy can effectively alter the immune response of the newborn baby, which could help to protect the child from developing asthma,"

Hawrylowicz added, that further studies and research in the domain shall reveal the long-term impact of the intake on the immunity and overall respiratory health of the newborn.

Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins, with a significant role in bone health. People who are very careful about sun exposure and those who do not get enough natural sun tend to be worried about their bone health, and so go in for supplemental vitamin D.

This, however, can lead to excessive vitamin D in the body, a condition known as hypervitaminosis D. Excessive supplements are the main cause for this condition. In addition, some heart medications, prolonged antacid therapy, and oestrogen therapy also can lead to this condition.


A person requires about 600 IU per day and if a person gets natural sun exposure for about 15 minutes, that is sufficient for the body to make this amount of vitamin D. The issue is when there is too less of sun or too much of sun protection, when the body is not able to make this on its own and requires supplements.

Increased vitamin D leads to increased amount of calcium in the system, known as hypercalcemia, which can lead to serious effects on multiple organs including bones, kidneys, heart, and other tissues and organs.

Taking some amount of supplements on a regular basis does not lead to this condition. Having heart disease, kidney disease, or being on diuretics like thiazide increases the risk of developing hypervitaminosis D.

It is advisable to periodically monitor the levels of vitamin D in a person who is on supplements, especially if these conditions are also present.
If it is in the levels beyond the required amounts, reducing the dose of the supplements or even temporarily stopping it should be considered.

Adhering to a diet which is naturally rich in vitamin D is also a good alternative. Cod liver oil, cheese, fatty fishes like tuna and salmon, mushrooms, and fortified milk and yoghurt are good sources. There are also juices and other drinks available which are fortified with vitamin D.

Some of the most common general symptoms of vitamin D include weight loss, extreme fatigue, poor appetite, excessive thirst and urination, dehydration, constipation. Specific symptoms indicative of excess vitamin D include muscle weakness, high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders.

In the long-term, it can also produce complications like kidney stones/damage/failure, excessive bone loss, calcification of arteries and other soft tissues
Heart rhythm disorders is another major problem that can be caused by taking increased amounts of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is naturally available, and getting 15 minutes of sun, especially in the morning, is one of the best ways to get your daily dose. It also has a mood-elevating effect, so soak up the sun.

Talk about some of the most important vitamins a human body needs; vitamin D tops the list. This wonder vitamin has turned out to be a key nourisher that protects most parts of our body and keep most health conditions at bay. Also known as the 'sunshine' vitamin, vitamin D is produced in your skin in response to sunlight. It is said to be fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, two of which are known to strengthen bones and facilitate normal immune system function.

Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is essential for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as an improved resistance against certain diseases. If you thought, vitamin D benefits are just a few, wait till you see what the sunshine vitamin has in store. First, let's know about what role does it have to play in our body.

What Role Does Vitamin D Play?
Vitamin D is required to absorb essential minerals like calcium in order to promote bone growth. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to weight gain, depression, heart diseases, et al. Vitamin D is produced by the body itself, only after skin exposure to sufficient sunlight. There are certain foods that have sufficient amounts of vitamin D; however, the best source is sunlight. Too little vitamin D may develop soft, thin, and brittle bones, a condition known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Research suggests that vitamin D could play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, which includes type-1 and type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance and multiple sclerosis.

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

Here are a few symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:

1.Getting sick or infected often
2.Fatigue or tiredness
3.Bone or back pain
4.Depression
5.Excessive hair loss
6.Muscle pain
7.Loss of bone density
8.Slow healing of wounds

Vitamin D Benefits

Here are some vitamin D benefits that you should know:
1. Vitamin D May Keep Eye Problems At Bay

One of the most important vitamin D benefits includes vision care. Vision starts to dip as we age; however, it is said that optimal amount of vitamin D levels may help keep such problems at bay. It may also help reduce in retinal inflammation, which is one of the symptoms of ageing.

2. Vitamin D May Help Reduce Muscle Spasms

One of vitamin D's important roles is to keep muscles functioning and strong by helping them absorb calcium. Vitamin D deficiency may cause muscle aches, which is also one of the first signs of rickets. Do not ignore weird muscle cramps or spasms that may occur at any point of time in your hands or feet.

3. May Help Reduce Bad Cholesterol Levels

Vitamin D benefits also include lowering bad cholesterol levels. Studies claim that taking calcium and vitamin D together may help improve cholesterol levels in post-menopausal overweight or obese women. While there is not enough evidence, it is still believed that vitamin D has positive effects on your heart.

4. May Help Reduce Chronic Headaches

According to a study in Scientific Reports, researchers found that the group with the lowest vitamin D levels had over a two-fold risk of chronic headache as compared to those with the highest levels. It is said that the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin D may help combat the inflammation that triggers migraines and headaches.

5. Vitamin D May Help Boost Weight Loss

Sufficient amount of vitamin D in the body has been linked to weight loss. According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal, vitamin D levels resulted in decreases in fat mass. It is said that vitamin D could potentially reduce the formation of new fat cells in the body. It could also suppress the storage of fat cells, further reducing fat accumulation.

How Much Vitamin D Do You Really Need Daily?
According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Dietary Supplements, here is the recommended amount of vitamin D on a daily basis.
Kids between 1- 13 years need 15 microgram (mcg)

Teenagers between 14-18 years need 15 microgram (mcg)

Adults between 19-50 years need 15 microgram (mcg)

Best Sources Of The Sunshine Vitamin

According to the British Dietetics Association, about 15 minutes of sunlight exposure thrice a week between 11:00 am to 3:00 pm is essential to load up on vitamin D. Here are some dietary sources of vitamin D that you should include in your daily diet.

Fish oil, cod liver
Shiitake mushroom, dried
Eggs
Milk
Buttermilk (whole milk)
Cheddar cheese or parmesan
Soy milk
Yogurt
Margarines
Butter (preferably white butter)


Do not forget to add this vitamin in your life to keep health problems at bay.

Talk about some of the most important vitamins a human body needs; vitamin D tops the list. This wonder vitamin has turned out to be a key nourisher that protects most parts of our body and keep most health conditions at bay. Also known as the 'sunshine' vitamin, vitamin D is produced in your skin in response to sunlight. It is said to be fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, two of which are known to strengthen bones and facilitate normal immune system function. Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is essential for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as an improved resistance against certain diseases. If you thought, vitamin D benefits are just a few, wait till you see what the sunshine vitamin has in store. First, let's know about what role does it have to play in our body.

What Role Does Vitamin D Play?
Vitamin D is required to absorb essential minerals like calcium in order to promote bone growth. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to weight gain, depression, heart diseases, et al. Vitamin D is produced by the body itself, only after skin exposure to sufficient sunlight. There are certain foods that have sufficient amounts of vitamin D; however, the best source is sunlight. Too little vitamin D may develop soft, thin, and brittle bones, a condition known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
Research suggests that vitamin D could play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, which includes type-1 and type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance and multiple sclerosis.

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
Here are a few symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:
-Getting sick or infected often
-Fatigue or tiredness
-Bone or back pain
-Depression
-Excessive hair loss
-Muscle pain
-Loss of bone density
-Slow healing of wounds

Vitamin D Benefits

Here are some vitamin D benefits that you should know:
1. Vitamin D May Keep Eye Problems At Bay

One of the most important vitamin D benefits includes vision care. Vision starts to dip as we age; however, it is said that optimal amount of vitamin D levels may help keep such problems at bay. It may also help reduce in retinal inflammation, which is one of the symptoms of ageing.

2. Vitamin D May Help Reduce Muscle Spasms

One of vitamin D's important roles is to keep muscles functioning and strong by helping them absorb calcium. Vitamin D deficiency may cause muscle aches, which is also one of the first signs of rickets. Do not ignore weird muscle cramps or spasms that may occur at any point of time in your hands or feet.

3. May Help Reduce Bad Cholesterol Levels

Vitamin D benefits also include lowering bad cholesterol levels. Studies claim that taking calcium and vitamin D together may help improve cholesterol levels in post-menopausal overweight or obese women. While there is not enough evidence, it is still believed that vitamin D has positive effects on your heart.

4. May Help Reduce Chronic Headaches

According to a study in Scientific Reports, researchers found that the group with the lowest vitamin D levels had over a two-fold risk of chronic headache as compared to those with the highest levels. It is said that the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin D may help combat the inflammation that triggers migraines and headaches.

5. Vitamin D May Help Boost Weight Loss

Sufficient amount of vitamin D in the body has been linked to weight loss. According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal, vitamin D levels resulted in decreases in fat mass. It is said that vitamin D could potentially reduce the formation of new fat cells in the body. It could also suppress the storage of fat cells, further reducing fat accumulation.

People deficient in vitamin D may be at a significantly greater risk of developing diabetes, a study has found.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego in the US and Seoul National University in South Korea studied a cohort of 903 healthy adults (mean age of 74) with no indications of either pre-diabetes or diabetes during clinic visits from 1997 to 1999.

They then followed the participants through 2009. Vitamin D levels in blood were measured during these visits, along with fasting plasma glucose and oral glucose tolerance. Over the course of time, there were 47 new cases of diabetes and 337 new cases of pre-diabetes, in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be categorised as type 2 diabetes.

For the study published in the journal PLOS One, the researchers identified the minimum healthy level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in blood plasma to be 30 nanogrammes per milliliter. Many groups, however, have argued for higher blood serum levels of vitamin D, as much as 50 ng/ml, researchers said.

“We found that participants with blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D that were above 30 ng/ml had one-third of the risk of diabetes and those with levels above 50 ng/ml had one-fifth of the risk of developing diabetes,” said Sue K Park from Seoul National University College of Medicine. According to Cedric F Garland, a professor at the UC San Diego, people with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml were considered vitamin D deficient.

These people, the researchers found, were up to five times at greater risk for developing diabetes than those with levels above 50 ng/ml. To reach 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of 30 ng/ml, Garland said would require dietary supplements of 3,000 to 5,000 international units (IU) per day, less with the addition of moderate daily sun exposure with minimal clothing (about 10-15 minutes per day outdoors at noon). Researchers said the current recommended average daily amount of vitamin D is 400 IU for children up to 1 year; 600 IU for ages 1 to 70 years (less for pregnant or breastfeeding women) and 800 IU for persons over 70, according to the US National Institutes of Health.