Oz Researchers link low vitamin D to schizophrenia

Researchers say babies born with low vitamin D levels may have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life.

The three-year study tested blood samples from babies in Denmark and found having low vitamin D levels doubles the risk of developing the disorder.

The findings could encourage pregnant women to get more sunshine or take a vitamin D supplement.

Professor John McGrath, from the Queensland Brain Institute, says the study is further evidence of vitamin D’s link to brain development.

“Many years ago we thought it was totally implausible to prevent schizophrenia, it seemed to be such a mysterious, poorly understood group of illnesses,” he said.

“I think this new result suggests that maybe it will be possible to prevent schizophrenia.”
source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/07/3004407.htm