Sunlight could help prevent pre-eclampsia

Vitamn D, in the form of sunlight, can reduce your chances of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, research suggests.

It’s the perfect excuse to get out and about. Research suggests getting enough vitamin D, produced by sunlight on the skin, can significantly reduce your risk of pre-eclampsia.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that women who are deficient in vitamin D during early pregnancy are five times more at risk of developing the condition.

Pre-eclampsia is potentially dangerous for both mother and child.

Vitamin D is found in a small number of foods like oily fish and eggs, fortified milk, butter, cereals and bread.

‘However, the vitamin D made by one bout of sunlight exceeds more than tenfold the amount provided by a daily diet,’ says GP Dr Sarah Brewer.

‘As well as eating plenty of vitamin D-rich food, exposing your skin to short bursts of sunlight (10-15 minutes) is important.’

Action on Pre-Eclampsia: www.apec.org.uk