The Importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption. Breastfeeding mothers should be sure to get enough vitamin D and calcium to meet their own physical needs and the demand from the baby. If you do not consume enough vitamin D or calcium your body will take the vitamin and mineral from your bone reserves to satisfy your baby’s dietary needs. This will cause you to eventually loose bone density and other related problems. In order to prevent your reserves from being diminished it is important that you consumes foods like milk, butter, eggs and oily fish. Leafy vegetables are also ideal for calcium. While studying how to become a nutritionist, you will learn all about the importance of different vitamins.
Sunlight causes the body to synthesize vitamin D. If you live in an area that is nice and sunny spend some time outdoors. Take a walk or read a book in the fresh air. It is not only good for your body but it can also be emotionally good for you to spend some time outside. If the weather is terrible or you are unable to get enough sunlight each day than you should take a vitamin D supplement. A mother can safely take a 400 IU vitamin D supplement each day. Anything over 2000 IU is not recommended.
Calcium cannot be absorbed without vitamin D. If you eat a lot of whole unprocessed grains you may also have difficulty absorbing calcium. Eating fewer than two to three whole grain servings a day should not interfere with your calcium absorption.
Bone loss naturally occurs during lactation even when you consume enough dietary calcium. Fortunately, as soon as menstruation returns remineralization will take place and your bones will be denser if you were consuming adequate amounts of calcium. Women who breastfeed for several month and who have several children are at a lower risk for developing osteoporosis.
