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Posts Tagged ‘vitamin d’

People are now a-days much concerned about the sun exposure resulting in skin cancer; it is observed that chronic and extreme exposure to sunlight in childhood and early stages of life causing sunburns. It may culminate to increased risk for non-melanoma basal and squamous cell carcinomas which is very common for this said condition.

Various research studies conclude that melanomas occur in the areas which are not exposed to sun indicating that the vitamin D3 is less synthesized. Individuals apply sun protection creams which block UVB radiation responsible for the synthesis of vitamin D3 and the hence they may allow other sun radiations which may cause melanomas.

Deficiency of Vitamin D and its association with to occurrence of autoimmune disorders and cancer is observed through various research studies. It shows that people living in higher latitudes get less exposure to sun, culminating in vitamin D deficiency and hence accounts for higher incidence of breast cancer mortality rate in north Europe.

Vitamin D and autoimmune diseases, data from many animal and human studies shows that vitamin D prevents development of type I diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cancers of colon, breast and prostate, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis. The required amount of vitamin D is difficult to be met from food alone and in some at-risk groups it becomes necessary to give vitamin D-fortified food, or expose them to sunlight in other way. Various at risk groups for vitamin D inadequacy include several complications due to lack of Vitamin D.

Here are the reasons displaying insufficiency of vitamin D:

There is elevated pervasiveness of lactose intolerance that causes undesirable effects with consumption of mild and dairy foods especially in African Americans. There is reduced ingestion of vitamin D- equipped food products, predominantly liquefied milk, milk products cereals, because of changing attitude towards health concern and fat intake.

Poor intake of calcium rich food encompassing poor intake of milk especially by the young women of reproductive age group, it reduced concentration of vitamin D and calcium. Augmentation in the use of sun block lotions along with the diminished exposure to sun to avert the chances of skin cancer, this is also one of the reasons of vitamin D insufficiency. Human milk is meager in vitamin D, in the present era there is enhanced predominance in the duration of breast- feeding. This is ensuing insufficient intake of vitamin D, thus causing low circulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations among women.

Due to air pollution in industrial areas, the exposure to uv- radiation is reduced, as well as  the poor dietary habits and availability of vitamin D equipped food. This makes the individual a victim of vitamin D deficiency, in rare cases impaired absorption, and enhances body requirement of vitamin D, or enhanced excretion or stringent practice of vegetarianism leads to vitamin D deficiency. In some Arabian countries it is mandatory for women to wear  long robes for religious purpose, it is done so their exposure to sun is reduced leading to insufficiency of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is responsible for forming and sustaining good health of bones. It is done by increasing absorption of calcium from intestine and depositing calcium in bones and maintains optimal BMD or Bone Mineral Density. Diminished absorption of calcium is related to vitamin D, thereby resulting in loss of bone or enhanced chances of osteoporosis, a situation depicting low BMD. Osteoporosis makes the bone fragile making the individual vulnerable to fractures.

It is reported) that vitamin D deficiency causes various bone related anomalies like osteopenia, osteoporosis apart from osteomalacia. Resulting in further weakening of muscles and hence exacerbating the risk of falls and fractures, under such conditions the recommended dose must be increased to 1000 IU/d.

Recommendations for reducing fracture risk with vitamin D and calcium based on clinical studies. While giving the vitamin D supplements, mostly it is accompanied by calcium in order to obtain the desired results. It was concluded that the combined supplementation of both vitamin D3 and calcium in elderly patient aged 62-85yrs, according to a research study. This resulted in a decrease in the jeopardy of an individual’s falls, fractures, the bone loss within elderly population, the dose of vitamin D was given as 700-800 IU/day and calcium was given as 500-1200 IU/day.

It is now clearly understood the significance and pivotal role that vitamin D. It holds in retaining the good health of bone, a number of studies and surveys have been carried out, which strengthen this fact even more.

There are various resources of vitamin D encompassing pure form of Cod liver oil, cooked form of Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna fish and Sardines canned in oil, sardines, margarine fortified, bran flakes, eggs, lamb liver. Fortified foods include milk and milk products especially cheese, orange juice and some breads and cereals.

The higher concentration of vitamin D influences the metabolic functions of the body. WHO has recommended intake dose of vitamin D by individuals belonging to different group, up to the age of 50 years, during pregnancy and lactation the requirement is 200 IU/d, for the age group from 51-65 years it is 400 IU/D for the age of 65+ the requirement exceeds to 600 IU/d (Vitamin D sources- Foods with Vitamin D).

Considering the above data it is manifested that vitamin D is the most essential component for endorsing and preserving the health and vigor of bones. It does directly affect the strength of bone in various skeletal and non-skeletal activities of the body encompassing cancers and depression.

Calcium 500- 1000 mg daily and vitamin D supplements 20µg daily have an established role in deterrence of elderly fractures. Irrespective of whether or not BMD (Bone Mineral Density) values are reduced. This treatment is effective in reducing the danger of fractures related to hip fractures or other kind of fractures in community-living patients. Fall in plasma calcium and phosphate level, due to insufficient intestinal absorption. It renders stimulation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion to restore serum calcium and bone resorption.

Vitamin C- a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin that is vital to the production of collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. It is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums and muscles in good shape and it helps in quick healing of wounds, it helps protecting the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation.

Vitamin D- a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates the formation of bone and the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine helping to control the movement of calcium between bone and blood, and vice versa. It is this vitamin you need for strong bones and teeth and it helps your body absorb the amount of calcium it needs. It is found in fish liver oil, egg yolks, milk and other dairy products fortified with vitamin D. It is also produced in our body in the presence of ultra violet light and sunlight.

Vitamin E – a fat-soluble vitamin, this is essential for the inhibition of oxidation in body tissues, formation of red blood cells, and this vitamin also prevents breakdown of body tissues maintaining the body tissues and protects the lungs from becoming damaged by polluted air. This vitamin can be found in whole grains such as wheat and oat, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, sardines, egg yolks, nuts, bread, cereals and seeds. The deficiency of this vitamin can cause many diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Finding out that Vitamin D, in adequate amounts, helps your body maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus. This promotes strong bones and good bone density. Getting enough sunlight, whenever possible, will allow the Vitamin D you ingest to work in concert with the other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin D helps your body absorb dietary fats too, which keeps your colon, pancreas, liver, bowels and heart much healthier as well. Here are some ways to increase vitamin D intake:

1. Seek sunshine for at least 15-20 minutes per day, ultra-Violet rays help your body to synthesize Vitamin D. Don’t stop using sun screen, skin cancer is still a very great risk to your health.

2. Take a Vitamin D2 supplement along with your multi-vitamin if you are unable to get enough sunlight because of your location, or inability to find time for outdoor activity.

3. Eat foods that are Vitamin D enriched such as cereals, butter or margarine, yogurt, soy milk, bread, cereal grain bars, and whole milk, fatty fish such as sardines, cooked mackerel and salmon.

4. Ask your physician to check your bone density and levels of Vitamin D in your blood stream, periodically.

5. Know that one cup of milk which has been fortified with Vitamin D supplies 1/4th of your daily need for this essential nutrient.

6. Avoid exceeding the recommended daily limits of Vitamin D. For men and women these limits are:

• Ages 19-50 200 IUs
• Ages 51-70 400 IUs
• Ages 71+ 600 IUs

Vitamin D is used to treat other diseases in which calcium is not used properly by the body. It is fat soluble stored in your fat cells which is not excreted daily like many other essential nutrients building up to unhealthy levels. It is needed to keep a balance between calcium and phosphorus in the body by controlling how much is absorbed from foods. Taking them from bones when needed, Vitamin D is best known for its role in building bones and keeping them strong.

Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin after direct exposure to sunlight, exposing face or arms to direct sunlight for 15 minutes two or three times per week will help produce vitamin D. It is best absorbed when ingested with lipids incorporated into micelles and these will be absorbed by the intestine by passive diffusion. Vitamin D is a secosteroid hormone, the body regulates the production of all it needs, the use of supplements can be harmful, because they suppress the immune system for the body cannot fight disease and infection.

Vitamin D is found in food. It can also can be made in your body after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. There are several different forms of vitamin D involved in regulating cell growth and differentiation and in essential immune system functions. Scientists are exploring links between low vitamin D status and increased risk for a number of chronic diseases including some types of cancer, heart disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.

Levels of Vitamin D- research illustrates that many of us are significantly deficient in Vitamin D. Physicians are now routinely checking for levels of Vitamin D in patients who have symptoms of muscle weakness, bone pain, depression, arthritis, diabetes 1, multiple sclerosis, and some forms of cancer.

Here are the ways to Increase Your Intake of Vitamin D:

1. Seek sunshine for at least 15-20 minutes a day, ultra-Violet rays help your body to synthesize Vitamin D. Don’t stop using sun screen, skin cancer is still a very great risk to your health.

2. Take a Vitamin D2 supplement along with your multi-vitamin if you are unable to get enough sunlight because of your location. You can also inability find time for outdoor activity for about 800 IU’s is sufficient.

3. Eat foods that are Vitamin D enriched. These are foods such as cereals, butter or margarine, yogurt, soy milk, bread, cereal grain bars, and whole milk. Fatty fish such as sardines, cooked mackerel and salmon, also contain Vitamin D.

4. Ask your physician to check your bone density and levels of Vitamin D in your blood stream.

5. One cup of milk which has been fortified with Vitamin D supplies 1/4th of your daily need for this essential nutrient.

6. Don’t exceed the recommended daily limits of Vitamin D. Here are some advises for men and women, these limits are:

ages 19-50 200 IUs

ages 51-70 400 IUs

ages 71+ 600 IUs

Lack of vitamin D is caused by poor diet, lack of sun exposure, and certain conditions that hinders the uptake of vitamin D in the digestive tract. It causes diseases that gives deformed bones, low calcium content in the bones and brittle bones, like rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults.

Too low intake of vitamin D contributes to circulatory problems like hypertension, narrowing of blood vessels, heart failure and stoke. Persons with diabetes seem to get the most increased risk by lack of vitamin D. It also seems to increase the risk of getting cancer, especially colo-rectal, breast and prostate cancer.

Recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 200-600 IU with the highest doses for older people. This seems to be too little and up to 2000 IU may be good for the health. Obese persons seem to require more vitamin D than normally weighted individuals, a too high daily intake of vitamin D is toxic and a much higher intake that 2000 IU may give risk for poisoning.

Fat fish and fish liver oil are the best natural sources of vitamin D3, another good natural way to get vitamin D3 is by exposing great skin areas for sunlight some time every week. Food products are often fortified in vitamin D, especially milk and juice. Food from plant sources contain little vitamin D, but fatty plant products contain some vitamin D2. Those who do not eat fish often, do not expose their skin to sunlight have a risk of getting too little vitamin D.