During pregnancy, the level of vitamin D in the mother's body may affect the intelligence of the child. Thus, the higher the child, the smarter the child will be.
Perhaps diving into a pot of vitamin D would be the solution? According to this study by the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, taking vitamin D would influence the neurocognitive development of the child during pregnancy. To arrive at such a finding, the researchers looked at several women who gave birth during 2006. Thus, they would have found "a high concentration of vitamin D in utero" who gave "a high IQ in children aged 4 to 6", as Professor Melissa Melough, lead author of the study, explains.
Black women would be more exposed to deficiencies
Did you know that 80% of French people have a vitamin D deficiency, which is essential for the consolidation of bones and teeth. This deficiency particularly affects black women, "Black mothers-to-be are at particular risk of this nutritional deficit. A total of 80% of pregnant black women in the United States have this deficiency.". This lack of vitamin is linked to the melanin of the skin. "It turns out that melanin, a coloring pigment in the skin, reduces the production of vitamin D."
The aim of this study is to overcome its deficiencies before pregnancy. "Health professionals should be able to anticipate these vitamin D deficiencies as soon as a pregnancy plan is formulated. The aim is to overcome them before fertilization", emphasizes Professor Melissa Melough. "More work is needed to assess the optimum level of vitamin D, in order to adapt nutritional recommendations during pregnancy."
Where can you find vitamin D?
- Some foods contain vitamin D, such as fatty fish (salmon, herring, anchovies, sardines, trout, mackerel).
- Consuming certain fats (butter, cod liver oil, ham, egg yolk) without excess can also provide the body with vitamin D.
- In children, the elderly or pregnant women, vitamin D supplementation, in the form of ampoules, may be recommended by a doctor.
- Do not hesitate to expose yourself to the sun from time to time, especially during the winter.