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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 December 2024
Limited sunshine and dietary vitamin D make vitamin D deficiency very common in Ireland. Breastfeeding is the universal recommendation and supplies the best combination of nutrients and bioactive factors for all infants(1). However, maternal diet and nutrition status impacts concentrations of certain nutrients in breastmilk and therefore vitamin D concentrations can be lower than recommended for infants(2,3). This study aimed to determine the vitamin D intakes and food sources of breastfeeding mothers in Ireland.
Data was collected as part of the WellFed study, a 4-week randomised control trial investigating the effectiveness of a food supplement containing a protein hydrolysate and beta glucan (Wellmune®) during lactation on immune and gut health (LS-23-07-OSullivan). Participant vitamin D intakes were assessed using FoodBook24 self-completed 24-hour recalls. Foods were grouped into food groups to determine their contribution to intake as well as the contribution from natural and added vitamin D foods. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 27).
Dietary analysis of 45 participants indicated that maternal vitamin D intakes were low (6.4 ± 4.6μg/day). Most participants (96%) did not meet the 15μg/day recommendation, despite 56% of participants reporting they consumed some form of vitamin D supplement. Natural vitamin D foods like eggs and egg dishes, fish and fish products, meat and meat products and foods with added vitamin D including breakfast cereals, beverages, and milk and yoghurt were the key food groups contributing to intake, with the majority coming from natural food sources.
Low dietary vitamin D intake is common among breastfeeding women and diet alone is insufficient to achieve the daily vitamin D requirements even when supplements are consumed. As natural food sources of vitamin D are limited and infrequently consumed, recommendations to consume more vitamin D foods may not be successful as a standalone strategy to improve vitamin D status. A combination of approaches including the promotion of vitamin D rich food consumption, supplementation strategies, and the introduction of food fortification policies may be a feasible method for improving vitamin D across the population.