Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin" that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the UV rays of the sun, is most known for its bone health benefits, as it is a crucial driver of calcium homeostasis.

Other health benefits of Vitamin D have been a subject of research for decades, and many studies have indicated that a sufficient level of Vitamin D in the mother may support healthy pregnancy, as well as the baby's first few years. The problem? About 1 in 5 of us in the US are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency, with some groups at higher risks than others and winter months in the northern climate being an important risk factor.

In this video, Dr. Bruce W. Hollis, professor of pediatrics at Medical University of South Carolina explains the latest research on Vitamin D's multifaceted roles in prenatal health, as well as female reproductive health.

Speaker:

Bruce W. Hollis, PhD | Professor, Medical University of South Carolina

With a lifelong career dedicated to Vitamin D, Dr. Hollis is one of the pioneers of Vitamin D research. His laboratory was the first to develop a Vitamin D assay, approved by the FDA for clinical diagnostics work. Dr. Hollis has played a leading role in furthering our understanding of how Vitamin D works in the body, what normal Vitamin D levels are, and its many roles in the biological functions including reproduction, pregnancy and lactation.

What You'll Learn in the Vitamin D & Pregnancy Outcomes Webinar

In this webinar, you'll learn:

• How much Vitamin D do you need during pregnancy?
• How much Vitamin D is too much?
• What effects do Vitamin D levels have on female reproductive health, preeclampsia, preterm birth and baby's health?
• When should women start prenatal Vitamin D supplementation?
• Why do some studies show negative results?

Original air date:

Thursday, September 16 at 12:30 EDT