Take vitamin D daily, mothers-to-be told

Published on Tuesday 18 January 2011 15:06

Expectant mothers are being encouraged to take vitamin D supplements during pregnancy as part of efforts to improve the health of the population.

The Scottish Government's maternal and infant nutrition strategy includes recommendations on diet, aiming to highlight how nutritional choices start before conception and do not end after breastfeeding.

It comes after growing evidence of the importance of vitamin D to people's health, with research linking a deficiency of the nutrient to conditions such as multiple sclerosis and heart disease.

The vitamin is produced by exposure to sunshine, and to a lesser extent gained from some foods.

But lack of sunlight in Scotland means that many people are deficient in the vitamin, which some believe may explain higher rates of MS in the country.

Vitamin D levels are also thought to be key during pregnancy, leading to yesterday's advice.

The strategy advises women to take a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, in addition to previous advice on taking folic acid.

Government data suggested many women in Scotland are deficient in key nutrients. The strategy said that during pregnancy there was increased demand for several key nutrients such as vitamin D, folate (folic acid), iron and calcium.

For iron and calcium, the guidance said eating foods rich in these was enough for pregnant women.

"However, for vitamin D and folate the increased amount required cannot be met from food sources alone, therefore, it is recommended that all pregnant women take a daily supplement of each, in addition to increasing their dietary intake," the strategy said.

Its publication coincided with a new television and poster campaign encouraging women to breastfeed.

The campaign aims to encourage women to recognise breastfeeding as the best choice for them and their baby.

Health minister Shona Robison said: "We know that sometimes women can find it difficult to exclusively breastfeed for the recommended six months, but this campaign aims to show them support is there to help them to continue to do so.

"Scotland should celebrate women making the choice to breastfeed, regardless of how long they choose to do so for."

David McNiven, director of MS Society Scotland, said vitamin D was an important public-health issue. The society had tried to raise awareness of it alongside the Shine on Scotland campaign, which has called on supplements to be given to pregnant women.

"It's vital that new mothers are able to make informed decisions, and the MS Society will continue to promote research into vitamin D," he said.

The National Childbirth Trust welcomed efforts to boost breastfeeding.Rosie Dodds, its senior policy adviser, said: "More needs to be done to design services so they are attractive and welcoming to families with additional needs, such as young parents, parents with learning difficulties, those from minority ethnic groups and living in areas of social deprivation."