Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, experts believe the more time pregnant mothers spend in the sunlight the more it improves bone growth in their offspring. Researchers studied 7,000 ten-year olds and found kids whose mothers spent time outside during sunny months tended to have stronger bones, attributing this to increased uptake of vitamin D derived from the sun’s ultraviolet rays; via Reuters.

Vitamin D is important, yet often overlooked. Lately, insufficient vitamin D has been linked to higher risk of multiple sclerosis, more c-sections and stunted growth. But good levels of vitamin D can make girls bigger and stronger and for men, lower the risk of prostate cancer.

In related news, scientists now recommend people quadruple their vitamin D levels in the winter. Now, Dr. Fuhrman’s Osteo–Sun supplement will help keep your vitamin D in check.

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Good news mommies. New findings in the upcoming May issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology claim mothers who breastfed were 10% percent less likely to develop heart disease or suffer a stroke than women who had never breastfed. The study, which involved nearly 140,000 postmenopausal women, also showed women who breastfed for at least one month had less diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol; from EurekAlert!

The benefits of breastfeeding are innumerable. Previous reports pin breastfeeding to breast cancer prevention, less likelihood of children becoming obese and reduced risk of allergies. Last year, it was reported 77% of new moms are breastfeeding. Not too shabby.

But some breastfeeding news can be icky. A Swiss restaurant was told no, they can’t serve human breast milk. Although, the story about the Chinese cop who breastfed infants in need during the rescue effort following last year’s deadly earthquake is heartwarming.

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Don’t put the baby on the treadmill just yet, but a new study in the journal Pediatrics claims gaining weight as an infant might foreshadow obesity later in life. A group of 559 mother and child pairs were examined after three years. For example, two infants with the same birth weight, but after six months differed in weight by 1.5 pounds, the larger being 18.4 pounds, puts the bigger child at a 40% higher risk of being obese at age 3; from EurekAlert!

Actually, other studies have linked a baby’s weight-gain to high blood pressure, saying babies who put on weight too rapidly can develop hypertension as adults. So don’t be like this idiot and only feed your toddler French fries. The woman needs her head examined.

In February, research found obese women are more likely to give birth to children with congenital anomalies, like cleft palate, and obesity can give kids heart disease too.

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