How does prenatal vitamin D deficiency affect the health of a mother and her baby? One simple change can make a big difference.

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Black Women Could Easily Improve Prenatal Outcomes, Including Lowering their Risk of Preterm Birth by 78%

Dear Jen,

For Black Maternal Health Week, a greatest impact on maternal and infant health could be made simply by addressing vitamin D deficiency among Blacks!

The month of April is recognized as National Minority Health Month in the United States, and this week has been Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), which takes place every year from April 11-17.

In previous posts over the years, we have reviewed data showing how increasing vitamin D levels to the 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L) range could virtually eliminate racial health disparities seen among those with darker skin. It is an unfortunate reality that Blacks have the lowest levels of vitamin D, with a 15-20 fold higher prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency. According to NHANES data, approximately 68% of Black women have vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/L) and at these levels, would be expected to have a 20% preterm birth rate; this is a problem that must be addressed for mothers within these groups of darker skin!

Below, we share our own research showing the gap in preterm birth outcomes between white and black mothers – a gap that virtually disappears when vitamin D deficiency is corrected.

How do race and vitamin D levels affect the risk of having a preterm baby?

We have previously summarized the main results from a published GrassrootsHealth study showing a 62% lower risk of preterm birth for women with vitamin D levels at or above 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L) compared to women with levels less than 20 ng/ml. Below, we look at another analysis from that paper which assessed the association between vitamin D and preterm birth risk for white and non-white women. This was important to look at due to the racial and ethnic differences in preterm birth rates, with Black women having higher rates compared to other groups.

Among the women in the study (N=1,064), 10% of white women and 15% of non-white women had a preterm birth. Black women accounted for a majority (69%) of the non-white births and had a 19% preterm birth rate. For those with vitamin D levels at or above 40 ng/ml compared to women with levels less than 20 ng/ml, there was a 65% lower risk of preterm birth among white women (p=0.03) and a 68% lower risk among non-white women (p=0.008). The similar decreased risk suggests that improvements in vitamin D status may decrease the disparity in preterm birth rates between racial/ethnic groups.

Click to Enlarge & Print

As illustrated in the chart above, among women whose initial vitamin D level was less than 40 ng/ml, the preterm birth rate was 38% lower among white women (p=0.33) and 78% lower among non-white women (p=0.01) for those who raised their level to at least 40 ng/ml prior to giving birth vs. those who did not.

This indicates that improving the vitamin D status of non-white women, who are more likely to have low vitamin D levels, could dramatically decrease racial disparities in preterm birth rates.

Getting Technical: Vitamin D Level Alone Makes a Difference

The most telling part of this analysis comes toward the end of the results section of the paper:

Differences by race/ethnicity were not statistically significant when 25(OH)D concentration was included as a covariate in multivariable regression analysis.

What Does This Mean?

When statisticians crunch data, to sort out findings from a study, there are times when they want to make sure that the finding wasn’t due to a separate variable. For example, many times in vitamin D trials, they account for BMI, which is used as a marker for obesity.

Multivariable regression testing is a way to look at many variables within your trial and see how they affect each other. So, in the BMI example, did vitamin D lower all heart disease? Or only for those that had a BMI < 25? We won’t get into the math to make this computation happen, let’s just say the statisticians know their numbers.

So, the statement above is really the key to disparity and the plausible conclusion that vitamin D levels in recommended ranges (40-60 ng/ml) could level the playing field for all races.

To a statistician this statement means…

there was NO difference in preterm birth rates (what was measured in the study) by ethnicity if vitamin D levels were equal.

Now, we KNOW that there is a huge disparity in preterm birth rates among racial groups. And, as you can now see, we can erase disparity in preterm birth caused by vitamin D deficiency, according to this analysis, by bringing everyone’s vitamin D levels to at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L).

One Simple Change Makes a BIG Difference

It should be made clear to ALL that vitamin D alone has the potential to make a big difference in health outcomes, especially for black individuals. Learn why are blacks so deficient in vitamin D in the first place and what can be done to address this issue for all!

Discover More Research on this Topic Here

Take Action Today and Measure Your Levels!

Based on the findings presented above and those of many other studies, measuring your levels of vitamin D, magnesium, selenium, and omega-3s may help determine if more of these nutrients might be needed to provide the greatest risk reduction for cancer and improve outcomes in the case of cancer diagnosis.

The Immune Boost Panel Test Kit includes each of these measurements:

Vitamin D
Omega-3 Index
Magnesium PLUS Elements
hsCRP as a marker of inflammation

Get the Immune Boost Panel Here

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Participate Today with Your Home Test Kit Order

All purchases support vitamin D research and education. Measure your vitamin D and other important levels at home as part of the D*action project! Create your custom home test kit or choose from our top products below.

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How Much Vitamin D do YOU Need to Get to 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L)?

Did you know that everyone responds differently to vitamin D supplement amounts - by up to 6 times!?

Your health could be greatly affected by making sure you have a vitamin D level of at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L). Don't get stuck with low vitamin D levels - learn more about what might affect your level and response to supplementation, and the steps to take through each season to keep levels in your target range.

Already Know Your D Level? Use the D*calculator to see how much vitamin D you need

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Sperti Vitamin D Sunlamps

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Highly Absorbed Magnesium

Dr. Carolyn Dean is a medical doctor, naturopath, and author of over 35 books including best seller The Magnesium Miracle. With 40 years of experience, she offers proprietary, unique formulations that give every individual at any stage of wellness or illness the necessary building blocks for sustained health, vitality and well-being.

Participate in our special Magnesium*PLUS Focus project offered by RnAReSet.

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The Helen Knoll Foundation

The Helen Knoll Foundation (HKF) mission is to prevent breast cancer by empowering young women through risk awareness education, advocacy and access to age appropriate screenings. HKF with GrassrootsHealth is launching the Know YOUR Number campaign to help Stop Breast Cancer Before it Starts by working with local groups to provide vitamin D blood spot testing and project enrollment events.

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Have a Beautiful and Healthy Day! Onwards,

Jen Aliano

Executive Director

GrassrootsHealth

315 S. Coast Hwy 101, Suite U-87

Encinitas, CA 92024

(760) 579-8141