Mothers taking vitamin D helps prevent autism in children

Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that giving vitamin D supplements to mice during pregnancy helps prevent autism in their offspring.

This finding provides further evidence of the important role of vitamin D in brain development, said study author Professor Darryl Eyles at the University of Queensland (Australia).

In human studies, scientists have also found a link between pregnant women having low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of giving birth to children with autism symptoms.

Vitamin D helps mothers prevent autism in their children.

Exposure to sunlight is the main source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is also found in some foods.

Wei Luan, a postdoctoral researcher involved in the study, said vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining bone health. However, the active hormonal form of vitamin D cannot be used by pregnant women because it can affect the skeletal system of the developing fetus.

“The new investment will help us determine the level of cholecalciferol – a safe supplement for pregnant women – needed to achieve active vitamin D levels in the blood. This new information will allow us to better understand the ideal dose and timing of vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women,” said Dr Luan.

New funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council will allow researchers to continue investigating how vitamin D protects against autism.

According to Zing