Vitamin D Deficiencies: Are you getting enough?

Vitamin D is responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphate in the body. It is produced by the body in response to sunlight and occurs naturally in a few foods such as fish, egg yolks, dairy and grains. It is essential for the bones as it helps the body absorb calcium. A lack of this vitamin can lead to rickets, a disease where the bones soften and become deformed. Vitamin D deficiencies usually occur if you do not get enough sun, are suffering from milk allergies or are following a strict vegetarian diet .

Not everyone lacking in Vitamin D will experience symptoms but some people may have bone pain and muscle weakness. People who lack in Vitamin D are also at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, cognitive impairment and asthma and Vitamin D is also thought to play a role in the prevention of diabetes. Vitamin D deficiencies are common in the UK and can occur for a number of reasons.

Diet:

People who follow strict vegetarian or vegan diets are at increased risk as most natural sources of the vitamin come from animal based products such as fish, fish oils, egg yolks, cheese and beef liver.

Sunlight:

If your exposure to sunlight is limited you are also at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. This is because your body converts sunlight into vitamin D so people who are housebound, who keep covered, whose work conditions keep them from sunlight and who live in northern latitudes are at greater risk.

If you have dark skin you may also experience a deficiency. This is because the pigment melanin reduces the skin’s ability to make vitamin D in response to sun exposure . Studies show that older adults with dark skin are at an increased risk of a vitamin D deficiency.

Age:

As people age their kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D into its active form, known as calcitriol. They are then at increased risk of a deficiency.

Digestion:

Health conditions such as Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis and coeliac disease can affect the intestine’s ability to absorb vitamin D from food.

Obesity:

You are at increased risk of a Vitamin D deficiency if you are obese . Vitamin D is extracted from the blood by fat cells, altering its release into the circulation. People with a BMI index of 30 or greater often have low levels of vitamin D putting them at greater risk of heart conditions and diabetes .

Sources:

http://www.webmd.boots.com/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d-deficiency , Accessed 28th MAy 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D

11039 Published June 2013

comments powered by

Source: http://www.streamingwell.com/vitamin-d-deficiencies-are-you-getting-enough-video.html