These conditions can lead to bone fragility and osteoporosis, bone pain, muscle spasm, muscle weakness and pain, fatigue and joint stiffness. If vitamin D deficiency continues for long periods, it can lead to autoimmune problems, prostate and colon cancer. But also for neurological diseases, infections and birth complications.
There is a direct link with the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Some experts believe that vitamin D receptors in cells, via the vascular system, are involved in the inflammation of blood vessels. Inflammation, in turn, can cause heart disease, Dr. Chen continues.
If the current study shows that reaching a vitamin D level above 40 ng/mL reduces the risk of adverse cardiovascular effects, doctors should be more involved in testing and remediating low vitamin D levels, says Dr. Heidi May, co-author of the study.
It plays an important role in the immune system
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin. The body produces it when the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight. It can be found in certain foods and dietary supplements. Vitamin D has been scientifically proven to play an important role in the immune system. It can reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
It plays a vital role in bone mineralization, the lifelong process by which minerals – especially calcium and phosphorus – are added to bone tissue to help it strengthen and grow. Current recommendations for vitamin D intake are:
- Children up to 12 months: 400 IU
- Children and adults between 1 – 70 years: 600 IU
- Adults over 70: 800 IU
- Pregnant or lactating women: 600 IU.
Its lack leads to bone fragility
Most of the amount of vitamin D is created by the body when ultraviolet rays hit the skin. The vitamin is then stored in fat cells in the body. People at risk of low vitamin D levels — including those with disabilities, young children, the elderly, and anyone living in far northern and southern latitudes during winter — are also at risk of low bone density. So an increased risk of fractures.
People with darker skin have more melanin. So less UV light is absorbed to make vitamin D, according to UCLA Health. Consequently, they need more sun exposure to produce vitamin D than people with lighter skin.
A study showed that during the summer, with only 25% of the body exposed to sunlight, around 8-10 minutes of midday sunlight produce the recommended amount of vitamin D. But in the winter, with only 10% of the body exposed due to in cooler temperatures, nearly two hours of midday sun exposure are needed to produce enough vitamin D.
During the winter, when you can’t get enough sun, some research shows that you can benefit from vitamin D supplements. There are many foods that contain vitamin D, especially fatty fish (salmon, mackerel and tuna), egg yolks, cheese, beef liver, mushrooms, milk fortified with vitamin D, cereals, fruit juice, etc.
2024-02-22 06:32:22
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