Vitamin D supports women's health at every life stage

Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is a fat-soluble prohormone that plays an important role in calcium metabolism and bone health. Vitamin D was first discovered over a century ago during research into rickets, but its effects on both skeletal and non-skeletal functions have since been recognized. It is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays in sunlight, and can also be obtained from dietary sources such as fatty fish, fortified foods, and supplements. Despite the availability of vitamin D from natural sources, vitamin D deficiency remains prevalent and affects nearly all people. 1 billion people worldwide.

The recommended daily intake of vitamin D varies by age and life stage, but adult women should consume the required amount. 600-800 International Units (IU) per day (about 15-20 micrograms) To maintain optimal health. Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include limited sun exposure, darker skin pigmentation, obesity, and certain medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease and impaired absorption.

Vitamin D levels are increasingly recognized as an important factor in women's health, and emerging evidence shows a correlation with vitamin D levels. hormone balance, immune function and cell health. Although underappreciated in medical research, the unique physiological demands of the female body, especially during critical life stages such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, highlight the need for adequate nutritional support. Vitamin D acts as a lifelong ally throughout a woman's life by influencing hormonal regulation and supporting physiological adaptations.

The role of vitamin D in menstrual health

The menstrual cycle is driven by a complex balance of hormones that interact to support the female reproductive system. Estrogen and progesterone play a leading role in ensuring that the cycle runs smoothly and preparing the body for the possibility of pregnancy. When this hormonal balance is disrupted, it can lead to irregular periods, painful symptoms, and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recent research suggests that vitamin D may help maintain this balance, thereby reducing inflammation, supporting hormonal regulation, and improving symptoms of certain menstrual disorders.

Maintaining hormonal balance

Vitamin D deficiency is consistently associated with menstrual irregularities and hormonal imbalances. This mechanism has been suggested to work through the interaction of vitamin D with vitamin D receptors present in ovarian and uterine tissues, which play important roles in reproductive health. By regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPO), vitamin D helps regulate the production and activity of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which are essential for maintaining regular menstrual cycles.

Research results from Poznań University of Life Sciences nutrientsinvestigated the relationship between vitamin D status and menstrual cycle in young women. The study measured serum vitamin D levels in a cohort of 77 participants, who also completed a detailed medical questionnaire about their menstrual cycles. People with low serum vitamin D levels (less than 30 ng/mL) experience menstrual disorders such as long cycles, oligomenorrhea (less frequent periods), and amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) than women with normal levels. Almost five times more likely. Specifically, 40% of participants in the vitamin D deficiency group reported long cycles, while only 12% of the normal group experienced such menstrual disturbances.

A cross-sectional study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicinealso investigated serum vitamin D levels in relation to menstrual cycle length and regularity in 166 women. They found a strong association between low vitamin D levels and irregular menstrual cycles. Vitamin D deficiency was also associated with being 13.3 times more likely to experience irregular cycles.

Reduction of menstrual pain

Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, is a common problem for women of reproductive age. Research shows that vitamin D may reduce menstrual pain due to its anti-inflammatory effects by regulating levels of prostaglandins, which are important mediators of inflammation and uterine contractions during menstruation. High levels of prostaglandins are associated with increased uterine muscle activity and pain in dysmenorrhea. Vitamin D is thought to reduce prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting the expression of cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme involved in prostaglandin production.

A randomized, double-blind trial investigated the effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation (300,000 IU for 5 days) in women with vitamin D deficiency and primary dysmenorrhea. This study BMC Women's Health. The results showed a significant reduction in pain severity during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Additionally, women in the group used less of the analgesic mefenamic acid compared to the control group. However, this supplement had no effect on blood loss during menstruation.

The role of vitamin D in pregnancy

Vitamin D supports both maternal health and fetal development during pregnancy. It regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphate, which are essential for the formation of the baby's skeleton, affects the health of the mother's muscles, and reduces complications during childbirth.

Improved birth outcomes with vitamin D supplementation

In 2022, a study was published in 2022. journal of public healthUsing the results of Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation During Pregnancy and Offspring Bone Health (MAVIDOS) Studyinvestigated the effects of daily vitamin D supplements (1,000 IU) on pregnancy outcomes in 965 women.

A randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted by the University of Southampton found that women who received vitamin D were more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth (65.6% vs. 57.9% in the placebo group). The vitamin D group also lost less blood during delivery and required less assistance during delivery.

“Most women want a 'natural birth' of their baby. Our study suggests that taking extra vitamin D during pregnancy may help achieve this.” I am.” said main author Dr. Rebecca Moon National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Clinical Lecturer in Child Health at the University of Southampton.

“Vitamin D deficiency is very common in the UK. We also showed that extra vitamin D intake during pregnancy improves the mother's vitamin D levels and benefits the child's skeleton. Importantly, , the National Institutes of Health's guidance recommends that all pregnant women take 400 IU of vitamin D per day. said Corresponding author Dr. Nicholas HarveyDeputy Director of the MRC Life Course Epidemiology Center at the University of Southampton and Director of MAVIDOS.

Long-term benefits for children's bone health

In the second follow-up study on the MAVIDOS trial, American Journal of Clinical Nutritionresearchers evaluated the effect of maternal vitamin D supplementation on children's bone health.

Moon and his team followed 454 children between the ages of 6 and 7 and found that children whose mothers took vitamin D during pregnancy had higher bone density compared to children in the placebo group. . These benefits persist from infancy (age 4) to middle childhood, indicating a lasting impact on skeletal health.

“Our findings show that the benefits of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy persist into middle childhood. This early intervention represents an important public health strategy. It strengthens children's bones and Reduces the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis and bone fractures.” said month.

The role of vitamin D in menopause

Menopause is a pivotal transition in a woman's life, characterized by hormonal changes that can affect bone health, cardiovascular function, and overall quality of life. These changes include decreased dietary intake, limited sunlight exposure, and age-related metabolic changes that often increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays an important role during menopause by supporting calcium absorption and maintaining bone density.

A systematic review published in nutrients reviewed 19 randomized clinical trials investigating vitamin D supplementation in postmenopausal women, with participants aged 51 to 78 years. An important result from the analysis is that vitamin D supplementation significantly increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels that correlate with improved bone density and decreased osteoporosis-related risk. Higher doses of vitamin D, such as a single bolus dose of 300,000 IU or 1,000 IU taken daily, have been found to be particularly effective at increasing serum concentrations to levels optimal for bone health. . Vitamin D supplementation has also demonstrated the potential to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, such as muscle pain and muscle weakness, contributing to maintaining a better quality of life.

Promotion of women's health research

Vitamin D has emerged as an important nutrient that supports women's health at various life stages, from menstruation to menopause. Its effects on hormone regulation, inflammation, and its ability to promote bone and muscle health highlight its importance in addressing the unique physiological challenges faced by women. Vitamin D offers benefits beyond its traditional role in calcium metabolism, including reducing menstrual pain, improving pregnancy outcomes, and maintaining bone density during menopause. As vitamin D deficiency remains prevalent worldwide, ensuring adequate intake of vitamin D has become an essential and accessible strategy to improve women's overall well-being and quality of life. I am.

References:

1. Łagowska K. Relationship between vitamin D status and menstrual cycle in young women: a preliminary study. nutrients. 2018;10(11):1729. Doi: 10.3390/nu10111729
2. Singh V, Tamar N, Lone Z, Das E, Sahu R, Majumdar S. Association of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels with menstrual cycle length and regularity: a cross-sectional observational study. IJRM. Published online on December 13, 2021. doi: 10.18502/ijrm.v19i11.9913
3. Amzajerdi A, Keshavarz M, Ghorbali E, Pezaro S, Sarvi F. Effect of vitamin D on dysmenorrhea and severity of menstrual bleeding: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Women's Health. 2023;23(1):138. Doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02284-5
4. Moon RJ, D'Angelo S, Crozier SR, et al. Does prenatal cholecalciferol supplementation affect the method and timing of delivery? Post-hoc analysis of the MAVIDOS randomized controlled trial. J public health. 2023;45(3):738-747. Doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdac160
5. Moon RJ, D'Angelo S, Curtis EM, et al. Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and bone mineral density in children in the childhood follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial. Am J. Clin Nuttle. 2024;120(5):1134-1142. Doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.09.014
6. Hassanein MM, Fuli HZ, Baig K, Abd-Elkareem AR. Determinants and effects of vitamin D supplementation in postmenopausal women: a systematic review. nutrients. 2023;15(3):685. Doi: 10.3390/nu15030685