Vitamin D is an oil-soluble vitamin that functions like a hormone in the body. It is produced under
the skin through a chemical reaction that depends on the skin's exposure to the sun.Vitamin D is also known as a sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D helps in the intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphate.
There are various types of Vitamin D, but the two most important levels of Vitamin D are Vitamin D2 or Ergocalciferol and Vitamin D3 also known as Cholecalciferol.
Vitamin D3 is much more ideal for humans since its metabolism is much more effective than Vitamin D2.
It is said that about 20 percent of Vitamin D we need is obtained from exposure to the sun even as most people are not adequately exposed to the sun to obtain the level of Vitamin D needed in our body. It is also not possible to depend on dietary Vitamin D to maintain adequate levels of this vitamin in our body since most foods containing vitamin D are not readily available in fresh forms in this part of the world.
The best bet is supplementation.
Health Benefits of Vitamin D3
There are various health benefits of Vitamin D. It prevents rickets in infants, it helps in the treatment of osteoporosis, it also treats psoriasis etc.
But so many people do not know how important Vitamin D is in terms of maintaining or boosting a womans fertility.
Importance of Vitamin D in fertility
There are various studies on the importance of Vitamin D in fertility.
Some studies found that over 80 percent of pregnant women exposed to vitamin D had higher chance of life birth.
Another study found that supplementing with Vitamin D improved success of fertility treatments from ART (assisted reproductive treatment) and IVF
A study found that women with Vitamin D blood levels of 30ng/ml and above had higher live birth rates.
An experiment was performed on mice. This experiment found that mice with insufficient level of vitamin D or lacked vitamin D had underdeveloped uterus and did not form mature eggs.
Even women with normal Vitamin D levels going through fertility treatments using donor eggs had higher success rates in achieving pregnancy than women with low levels of Vitamin D.
In all, Vitamin D greatly improves the ability of a woman to get pregnant and successfully carry to full term.
Infact, if you have fertility issues, it is advised that you check your vitamin D levels at your doctor's.
How much Vitamin D3 can you take for fertility?
It is advised that you ask your doctor the right dose for you but it is recommended that you can take between 2000 iu per day as the lower limit and 4000 iu per day as the upper limit.
Vitamin D3 Improves Egg Quality
Vitamin D3 is also known to improve egg quality. It achieves this by helping in the production of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH). AMH is the measure of a woman's egg reserve. With improved egg reserve, a woman has a higher chance of conceiving.
Vitamin D3 helps implantation
Studies have shown that women with the required level of vitamin D3 in their blood and undergoing IVF had higher success rates.
Sources of Dietary Vitamin D
Eggs, Margarine, fatty fish and seafood like Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel, Cod liver, Tuna, Commercially fortified Cow's milk, mushrooms
What happens if you take a high dose of Vitamin D
When you take too much Vitamin D, it can be toxic and cause a condition called Hypercalcemia. This can lead to vomiting, weakness and frequent urination. If untreated, it can cause kidney problems.
How To Know Your Vitamin D levels
A blood test is carried out at your doctor's office. The result will show the level of Vitamin D in your blood.
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