Re: [ozmidwifery] Breastmilk and vitamin D supplements

[Debbie Slater]

A recent piece on TV here in Oz suggested that many Australian women are now Vit D deficient for the same reason .

Judy Chapman wrote:

Saw a documentary some time ago on the increased Vit D deficiency in the women of groups who cover completely like many Muslims do. One of the points they made is that in their own country the houses often had an inside courtyard so that the women could get some sun but that is not part of the Australian style of building so these women are covered all of the time and miss out on the sun. Hence an increase in rickets in women of this group.

Cheers

Judy

From: "Marilyn Kleidon"

Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Breastmilk and vitamin D supplements Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 14:53:08 -0700 I think the gist of the article is that covering up your skin either with clothes or with sunblock reduces exposure to the sun and hence our natural source of vitamin D. There IS an increased incidence of rickets in the USA. I thought is was mainly due to the increased covering up and the increased consumption of junk food softdrinks juices etc that would not be supplemented (like milk is there) with Vitamin D. Do remeber that sun exposure in cold climates is just NOT like sun exposure here. I don't think breast milk is particularly high in Vit D, nature assuming that we (humans) would be exposed to the sun for the minimal times it takes to make the Vitamin. Also, indigenous people that thrived in these climates used a lot of fish oil in their diet if not as supplements (I would be interesting to know the level of Vit D in the breast milk of such women). Maybe I am terribly wrong but I don't think the small amount of time required for the sun to stimulate Vit D prod! ! uction would cause skin cancer, but by the way some folks cover up you would think so. marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: Graham & Helen To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 8:48 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Breastmilk and vitamin D supplements Check out this recent BBC article claiming that breastfed babies should be given vitamin D supplements.........I find it a bit hard to "swallow" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2924471.stm Helen Cahill

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