The renewed interest is attributed to the medical fraternity’s increasing realization that the benefits of Vitamin D extend far beyond healthy bones.
Some of its numerous effects have been observed under various clinical
conditions and there have been epidemiological suggestions stating that
children and adults with adequate or sufficient levels of Vitamin D are at
lower risk for metabolic syndrome, hypertension and high blood sugar.
Vitamin D level in a person is assessed in terms of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D concentration (It is abbreviated as 25(OH)D and the test too is referred to as such).
Vitamin D level in a person is assessed in terms of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D concentration (It is abbreviated as 25(OH)D and the test too is referred to as such).
How much of Vitamin D we need Daily?
Dietary intake of Vitamin D to maximize bone health and muscle function for
patients at risk for Vitamin D deficiency is as follows:
1. Infants and children aged 0-1 year: at least 400 IU/day
2. Children aged 1-18: 600 IU/day
3. Adults aged 19-50: 600 IU/day
4. Adults aged 50-70 and above: 600 and 800 IU/day
5. Pregnant and lactating women: 600 IU/day
(IU is read as the standard International Unit. )
Sources of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is produced in the skin natural in response to ultraviolet B
radiation from sunlight. In food it can be obtained from animal sources such as
deep-sea fatty fish, egg yolks or liver or from dietary supplements.
Prevalence of Vitamin D
About 50 to 90 per cent of the Indian population reportedly shows Vitamin D
deficiency of varying degrees. Australia, Middle East, Africa and South America
are the other regions or populations know to be affected by Vitamin D
deficiency. Of late, countries like the US, UK and Canada too have been
contending with significant levels of Vitamin D deficiency in their elderly.
What has come to be the cause for alarm is the increasing prevalence of
Vitamin D deficiency in adolescents – an age group that is supposedly healthy
and must be healthy as the immediate future’s working population of any
society.
- In the US, for example, more than 50 per cent of Hispanic and African-American adolescents (in Boston area) and 48 per cent white pre-adolescent girls in (Maine area) were found with 25 hydroxy-vitamin D concentration – 25(OH) D that is much below the cut-off level.
- In a study of Vitamin D levels in 3,000 teenagers (both boys and girls), the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, found that those with low levels of Vitamin D were 2.36 times more likely to suffer from hypertension, 2.5 times more likely to have blood sugar levels and four times more likely to have Metabolic Syndrome.
- Another trial involving girls aged between 12 and 14 years showed that those with lower Vitamin D levels had lesser muscle strength and weaker physical performance.
Deficiency in Adults and Children
Lack of Vitamin D typically presents with bone deformity
(rickets) or low calcium levels in infancy and childhood.
In adults, it causes reduced bone mineral density, musculoskeletal pain and
weakness. The elderly in particular have increased sway and frequent falls, and
are at increased risk for fractures.
Of late, other health issues like cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes,
various forms of cancer, and auto-immune conditions too, have been linked to
Vitamin D deficiency.
Tests for Vitamin D Status
Laboratory tests to assess 25(OH)D are available. The result classifies the
person’s status as Vitamin D sufficient or insufficient or deficient.
Are dietary Solutions Available against Vitamin D Deficiency?
Few foods have substantial Vitamin D content. Outdoor sun exposure and
intake of vitamin D supplements leads to higher serum Vitamin d. If sunlight
exposure is adequate, the body can produce Vitamin D without the need for
supplementation through diet.
In the US, Canada and parts of Europe, milk, cheese and fruit juices are
supplemented with Vitamin D supplementation are practically nonexistent. It may
be cost-effective to introduce food supplementation in India
The best source of Vitamin D
Without doubt, sensible exposure to sunlight is the best source of Vitamin
D.
Who are at Risk for lack of Vitamin D?
Various contribute to Vitamin D deficiency and the risk groups too are
varied.
- Exclusively breast-fed infants and children.
- Those aged over 65 years.
- Pregnant women.
- Fully-clothed individuals (like a burqua where hardly any part of the body is exposed to sunlight).
- Home – bound people.
- Institutional people.
- Obese individuals
- Vegetarians.
- Alcoholics.
- Users of sunscreens with high SPF (which block out UVA and UVB rays completely).
- People living at high altitudes.
- Dark skinned people, where skin pigmentation decreases the production of Vitamin D.
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