Mothers Vitamin E Intake Linked To Child Heart Defects

Everyone is encouraged to take plenty of vitamins, either by increasing the intake of certain foods or by a daily dose of a supplement tablet.

However recent research suggests that pregnant women should be wary of how much Vitamin E they consume.

A study carried out in Holland looked at six hundred women, grouped between those whose babies were healthy and others that had given birth to offspring with heart defects.

All the mothers were provided with forms where they detailed their diet and noted the various foods that they consumed.

This was carried out at the point their infants reached sixteen months, the month before this time is considered to replicate the body’s state prior to actual pregnancy. High levels of vitamin E contribute to the imbalance of oxidants and antioxidants.

Dr. R.P.M. Steegers-Theunissen of Rotterdam’s University Medical Center reports that there was an increased risk of congenital heart conditions with a large amount of vitamin E consumed and also taken orally via daily supplements.

Of those studied with the high vitamin E intake, the likelihood of giving birth to a child with a heart condition was seventy percent stronger than those whose intake was lower.