What is the optimal dosage of vitamin D supplementation necessary for Research Paper - 1

What is the optimal dosage of vitamin D supplementation necessary for pregnant women - Research Paper Example For instance, a woman that has a low vitamin D status will likely suffer from cardiovascular diseases, certain forms of cancer, diabetes, depression, and cognitive decline, among others. Vitamin D is naturally obtained in certain foods and added to others in order to make it a dietary supplement. Alternatively, vitamin D is optimally acquired when one exposes their skin to the ultraviolet sunlight rays that strike the skin and triggers the synthesis of the vitamin. To pregnant mothers, this vitamin is quite essential, not only for their distinct wellbeing, but also for the well-being of their unborn babies. This is because of the numerous benefits that are to be achieved from the consumption of the vitamin D such as the maintenance of the adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations in the body. This is to allow for the attainment of a normal mineralization of the bones, and prevention of conditions such as hypocalcaemia among the pregnant women (Perampalam, Ganda, Chow, Opie, Hickman, Shadbolt & Nolan, 2011). The deficiency of this Vitamin D in the body system of a pregnant woman can have serious implications to their health and that of the unborn baby. For instance, according to a study by the US National Institute of Health, the presence of sufficient vitamin D in the body of a pregnant woman would enhance the growth of her bones, and remodel her osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Without a sufficiency in the supply of the vitamin to the body, the bones of the pregnant woman may become brittle, thin and misshapen. To the fetus, the deficiency in the supply of vitamin D into their bodies may result in them acquiring disease conditions such as rickets upon being born, while the mother may suffer from conditions such as osteomalacia (bone pain). Vitamin D presence in the body of the pregnant woman also performs several other functions such as the modulation of the growth of body cells, treatment of weak bones (osteoporosis), and bone loss in