Discovered Connection Between Vitamin D and Birth Control
Gotta Get Your D for Bone Health: Estrogen-Based Birth Control and Vitamin D
Turns out, your birth control pill might be more than just preventing babies - it could be boosting your vitamin D levels too! A recent study found that ladies on estrogen-based contraception have higher quantities of this crucial nutrient.
Vitamin D, known as the "sunshine vitamin," has a significant role in maintaining proper calcium and phosphorous levels in your blood. But it's not just about keeping things balanced – this vitamin helps your body absorb calcium, a key component in bone formation.
So where can you get your fill of this magic vitamin? Fish, eggs, and sunlight are your friends here, with around 90% of vitamin D production happening through a chemical reaction after sun exposure.
Now you might wonder, what happens when you stop taking your pill? Well, the drop in vitamin D levels could lead to health issues like softening of the bones (Osteomalacia), a condition more commonly known as rickets in children.
Now, quack Doctor Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health investigates any association between contraceptives and vitamin D levels. Using data from over 1,600 African-American women aged 23-34, living in Detroit, MI, they found that those on estrogen-based contraception tend to have higher vitamin D levels.
"Our study found that women who used contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," said Dr. Harmon.
Even after making adjustments for factors like sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplements, the effect remained significant – current users of birth control had higher levels of vitamin D, and past users had average levels. In other words, using estrogen-based contraception was associated with a 20% increase in vitamin D levels.
Now you're probably thinking, "Why the heck is estrogen messing with my vitamin D levels?" Well, studies suggest that estrogen might alter vitamin D metabolism, possibly increasing binding proteins and affecting the availability of free, active vitamin D. This means that while absolute vitamin D levels might seem normal, the functional, active vitamin D available to tissues may be impacted.
So, if you're planning to conceive and quit your birth control, make sure your vitamin D levels are adequate. It's always better to be safe, particularly during pregnancy when vitamin D is vital for the growth of the fetal skeleton.
In the coming months, Dr. Harmon will continue to follow this group of women to investigate the relationship further and explore how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
Remember, knowledge is power, but sometimes a little sunshine can help too! 🌞 Important note: Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your birth control or nutritional intake.
[1] Enrichment Data: The relationship between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D is complex, with estrogen potentially influencing vitamin D metabolism in the body. Estrogen increases the production of vitamin D-binding protein in the liver, which can sequester more vitamin D and potentially reduce its bioavailability to tissues. On the other hand, estrogen enhances the kidney's ability to convert vitamin D into its active form, crucial for calcium absorption and bone health. Furthermore, women on estrogen-based contraceptives may have increased needs for vitamin D to support estrogen's protective effects on bone.
- The relationship between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels is complex, with estrogen possibly altering vitamin D metabolism.
- Estrogen may increase the production of vitamin D-binding protein in the liver, which could sequester more vitamin D, potentially reducing its bioavailability.
- On the other hand, estrogen might enhance the kidney's ability to convert vitamin D into its active form, important for calcium absorption and bone health.
- Women on estrogen-based contraceptives may require more vitamin D to support estrogen's protective effects on bone health.
- Women who use contraception containing estrogen tend to have higher vitamin D levels compared to other women.
- If you're planning to conceive and quit your birth control, it's crucial to ensure your vitamin D levels are adequate, especially during pregnancy when vitamin D is vital for fetal skeleton growth.
