The importance of vitamin C levels in pregnancy has been underlined following the results of a Danish study. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that a deficiency in vitamin C among pregnant women can lead to serious health complications in the brains of their unborn babies.
Even marginal deficiency of vitamin C can result in the memory centre of the brain being affected by 10 to 15%, preventing the brain from optimal development. Furthermore, if damage is already done to the brain of the foetus it cannot be repaired.
The report, which was published in PLOS ONE, stated that between 10 and 20% of all adults in the developed world do not get enough vitamin C. However, lead researcher Professor Jens Lykkesfeldt stated that if pregnant women eat a varied diet, do not smoke and take daily vitamins they should not be at risk for vitamin C deficiency.
