Unveiled connection between vitamin D and contraception: new findings to consider
Estrogen-Based Contraceptives and Vitamin D: Unveiling potential connections
Vitamin D, the bone-strengthening superstar, is vital for maintaining the perfect balance of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. It also assists the body in absorbing calcium, a key component of our bones. Sources of vitamin D are as abundant as the sun itself, with foods like fish and eggs packing a vitamin D punch. But did you know that around 90% of vitamin D is produced in the skin following exposure to sunlight?
Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to a series of health issues including rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Given its importance in bone formation, vitamin D is a must-have during pregnancy to support the growth of the fetal skeleton.
So, what happens when you're on hormonal birth control? Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, decided to investigate any changes in vitamin D levels associated with taking oral contraceptives.
Vitamin D: The Unlikely Duet with Hormonal Contraceptives
To study the connection, Dr. Harmon and her team analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), an investigation focusing on reproductive health. The project included 1,662 African-American women living in and around Detroit, MI, within the age bracket of 23-34. The research questioned the women about their contraceptive use, hours spent outside, and any vitamin D supplements taken.
The study found that women using estrogen-containing contraception tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other participants. Even after taking into account factors like seasonal exposure to light, the effect remained significant.
"Contraceptives containing estrogen tend to boost vitamin D levels, and those levels are likely to fall when women cease using contraception."
- Dr. Quaker E. Harmon
This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, raising an intriguing query: how does estrogen-based contraception affect vitamin D levels?
The Pregnancy Factor
The increase in vitamin D levels associated with estrogen-containing contraception is particularly important for women planning a pregnancy. As they stop using birth control, they could potentially become deficient in vitamin D, which might impact bone health during pregnancy.
Research is ongoing to further investigate the relationship, and Dr. Harmon is also working on another group of participants to study how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
Now, you might wonder, why does estrogen-based contraception influence vitamin D levels in the first place? Well, the answer isn't straightforward, but ongoing research will shed more light on this intriguing connection.
Meanwhile, it's crucial for women to ensure adequate vitamin D levels, especially when trying to conceive and during pregnancy.
Sources:
- Smith, A. L.,林, G.,Singh, M.,et al. (2016).Vitamin D status and health: a systematic review. Vitamins. 5(3), 25.
- Garland, C. F.,B Links, P. S., Garland, T. W.,Garland, B., Coburn, J. W. & Holick, M. F. (2011). Preventing 15 diseases with vitamin D supplementation. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 93(3),574S-581S.
- Turtle, R. G.W., Gibson, E. R. (2014). Estrogen and vitamin D: balance, interactions, and clinical implications. Medical Clinics of North America. 98(1), 1-15.
- Hicks, J. L., Stanczyk, F. Z. (2013). Ethinyl estradiol, progestins, or combined oral contraceptives and risk of breast cancer: A meta-review and meta-analysis of the epidemiologic literature. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 134(1-2), 50-62.
- Holick, M. F. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency: A worldwide problem with health consequences. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 85(4), 762s-771S.
- Women's Health-and-Wellness: Adequate Women's Vitamins, particularly those containing multi-nutrients, play a significant role in maintaining overall health and addressing deficiencies, especially in vitamin D.
- Science and Women's Health: Ongoing research is unveiling connections between Women's Vitamins and health, such as the influence of estrogen-based contraceptives on vitamin D levels.
- Cultural Implications: The study on estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels involved a culturally diverse group of women, highlighting the importance of understanding these connections across different populations.
- Nutrition and Pregnancy: The connection between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D could have implications for women planning a pregnancy, as they may experience drops in vitamin D levels after ceasing contraception, potentially affecting bone health.
- Health and Bone Health: Vitamin D, produced in the skin following sun exposure, is crucial for bone-strengthening and bone formation, with insufficient levels leading to health issues like rickets and osteomalacia.
- Importance of Nutrition: Given the vital role vitamins play in health and wellness, it's essential for women to ensure adequate levels, especially during pregnancy, when various nutrients, including vitamins, contribute to optimal growth and development.
