Ensure a healthy pregnancy and infant with as little as $20 of Vitamin D

Created April 2015

Healthy pregnancies need lots of vitamin D has the following summary

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Vitamin D has proven so successful that some researchers have decided that

it is no longer ethical to not give vitamin D during every pregnancy.

They have started a trial which will give 4,000 IU of vitamin D to ALL 500 pregnant participants in South Carolina

They are focusing on the reduction in preterm births (current rate is 13%), but there are many additional benefits

Details: Pregnant women will get Vitamin D – going beyond clinical trials - March 2015

But you do not have to participate in this trial to benefit

The health benefits of vitamin D are available at low cost to 200 million pregnant women anywhere around the world.

You can get many of the proven benefits of vitamin D for a little as $13 for your entire pregnancy.

However, the more you invest, the healthier will be your pregnancy and your infant

You should be aware that you will need the cofactors of Magnesium, Omega-3, and vitamin K2 to realize the full benefit of vitamin D in your body

Briefly, here are your options

**|| |Total cost for
entire pregnancy|Premature Birth
reduction |Vitamin D|Magnesium|Omega-3
& Vitamin K2|Vitamin D Test

Low cost|$30 - $75|1.8X |4,000 - 15,000|100 mg|none|none

High cost|$70 - $190|2.2X | "| "|1 g Omega-3
200 microg of K2|none

Highest cost|$120 - $250|2.5X |"|"|"|1 test

~~#09F:Compare to the South Carolina trial

|$133 - $141
($0 for participants) |2X |4,000 IU
may adjust after test|none|none|2 tests||~~**

Vitamin D $13 - $25

4,000 IU is probably the minimum amount of vitamin D that most pregnant women need

4,000 IU can be taken in the US without doctor's approval

Vitamin D dose size is a function of many variables

weight/obesity: recent pregnancy, expecting twins, darkenss of skin, have a health problem which consumes vitamin D (MS, diabetes, etc), poor gut absorption, actively avoid the sun or always use sun screen

Over 30% of the vitamin D sold in the US is now in capsules having at least 5,000 IU

One low-cost supplier charges $13 for 240 capsules of 5,000 IU (5 cents per 5,000 IU)

Bio-Tech provides the lowest cost, and probably the best quality vitamin D (50,000 IU: @ 2.5 cents per 5,000 IU)

Details at: Low Cost vitamin D - including liquid and bulk

and One pill every two weeks gives you all the vitamin D most adults need

Magnesium $17 - $60

Magnesium increases the response to vitamin D by about 30%

Magnesium improves health in scores of ways, far beyond just building bones - even during pregnancy

The lack of Magnesium is the cause of the the very few vitamin D allergic reactions (about 0.3%)

Magnesium appears to eliminate constipation that a few people get from having lots of vitamin D.

It is important to take a form of Magnesium that does not cause diarrhea

Magnesium Chloride is best for most people - available as liquid or inexpensive large pill

Details at: Overview Magnesium and vitamin D

and Magnesium helps pregnancy – low quality evidence - Cochrane April 2014

and Pregnancy helped by Magnesium - many studies

Omega-3

Omega-3 helps pregnancy in many ways: preterm 26 percent less likely etc – review July 2012

References of Omega-3

PERINATAL DEPRESSION, Gestation, preterm birth, preeclampsia, subsequent childhood development

See especially: Pregnancy and infants healthier with Omega-3 supplementation - many studies including 4X fewer stillbirths

Details at: Overview: Omega-3 many benefits include helping vitamin D

Vitamin K2

Details at: Overview Vitamin K and Vitamin D

Vitamin D tests - currently $39 - $70

Lower costs tests are expected by 2016

Many doctors (but not VitaminDWiki) believe it is important to test vitamin D levels

Generally the test results answers the question: Getting enough vitamin D? (> 40 ng)

but does not indicate if another form is needed (gut friently, sublingual, etc)

Rarely does the test result indicate: Getting too much vitamin D (> 70 ng)

Testing should occur 6-8 weeks after starting your standard Vitamin D supplementation

Details at: Low cost vitamin D Blood Tests

More about Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also available in liquid, sublingual, topical, cream, etc. forms

Vitamin D also from the sun - but need 1/2 to 4 hours a day in the sun, which depends on

skin color, amount of clothing, distance from equator, season, standing/lying down, time of day etc.

Vegan versions of Vitamin D and Omega-3 are available- at low cost

A large initial dose may be needed if you are very deficient or start supplementing late in pregnancy

Consult with your doctor

Note: Your doctor can get continuing educational credit for learning about vitamin D and pregnancy (English only)

Note: if he is not interested in learning, you could just ask: Would you be opposed to my getting more vitamin D

Continue taking vitamin D after birth - 40 ng is great for your entire life

Note: Need 60 ng if breast feeding and your infant is not supplemented with vitamin D

It is never too late or early to start taking vitamin D

You can start in your 3rd trimester (strongly recommend a loading dose)

Can start months before pregnancy - actually Vitamin D increases fertility

Should reduce Calcium supplements to < 750 milligrams

Vitamin D makes Calcium much more available - the excess calcium can accumulate in the arteries if low vitamin K2

Future on this page: Dosing customized to individual needs.

More about Vitamin D and Pregnancy

Tags: Pregnancy