Vitamin D
Vitamin D differs from other vitamins in the ability of the body to be manufactured in sufficient quantities by exposure to the sun, where it is manufactured in the skin of a compound made by the body of cholesterol, and therefore does not consider the intake of vitamin D necessary for food, where the needs of the body can be sufficient exposure to radiation the sun. Vitamin D is a hormone, and plays many important functions in the body, and we will talk in this article about the most important thing about vitamin D, specifically the lack of it.
Vitamin D Functions
- Bone growth and maintenance: It is part of the team responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of bone in the body, which includes vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and thyroid hormones, thyroid, calcitonin, collagen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and fluorine. Vitamin D maintains the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the blood Allowing the bones to absorb and accumulate, and maintains vitamin D concentration in the blood by improving absorption of the digestive system and re-absorption in the kidneys in addition to working with thyroid hormone thyroid to pull them from the bones to the blood in case of deficiency, and helps Take calcium in sufficient amounts and get adequate amounts of vitamin D to keep thyroid gland hormone low and maintain bone density.
- Vitamin D plays other roles in the body, where modern scientific research has found receptors in many of the body’s cells, such as immune cells, brain, nervous system, pancreas, skin, muscles, cartilage and genitals. It plays an important role in differentiation and growth of these cells, Which prevents abnormal growth and reduces the risk of cancer. Research suggests many roles for vitamin D in tissues where receptors were not thought to respond.
- Many studies suggest that vitamin D plays a role in reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis. It also reduces autoimmune rheumatism. Some studies suggest that it plays a role in regulating the immune system, which causes some autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Some studies found an inverse relationship between the blood level of vitamin D and the insulin resistance and found that it had a role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
- Vitamin D plays an essential role in muscle contraction and strength, which include the heart muscle.
Daily needs of vitamin d
The following table shows the daily requirements of vitamin D by age group:
| Age group | Daily needs (microgram / day) | Upper limit (microgram / day) |
|---|---|---|
| Infants 0-6 months | 10 | 25 |
| Infants 6-12 months | 10 | 38 |
| Children 1-3 years | 15 | 63 |
| Children 4-8 years | 15 | 75 |
| 5-50 years | 15 | 100 |
| 51-70 years | 20 | 100 |
| 71 years and over | 15 | 100 |
| Pregnant and nursing | 15 | 100 |
Vitamin D deficiency
In cases of vitamin D deficiency, the production of the calcium-binding protein is reduced and absorbed in the intestine, causing calcium deficiency, even if the amounts consumed in the diet are sufficient. In such cases, adolescents may not reach the highest bone mass that should have been reached, In children rickets disease, while it causes both osteoporosis and osteoporosis in adults.
Ricks
The rickets disease continues to affect many children in the world, as the bones do not get enough calcium, causing delayed growth and the emergence of many abnormalities in the bones, making them weak and unable to bear the weight of the body, and when the child is at the age allowed to walk , The curve of the bones of the legs are not able to bear weight, and these are the most obvious signs of rheumatism, and the shape of the bones of the ribs become a swimmer because of the weakness of the association of bones cartilage, and cause the emergence of the bones of the chest, and symptoms include the emergence of the bone of the front skull and swelling of the wrist and ankle Bone pain and muscle weakness and oxidation Ha Chnjha continuous), and delayed appearance of teeth in children with crippled may grow weak and deformed.
The risk of rickets increases in dark-skinned children, who are breastfed for long periods of time without vitamin D supplementation, rickets in children with chronic lipid absorption problems, and in children who receive anticonvulsant therapy because of reduced levels Vitamin D (alkalastrol) in the blood. Children who have been rickets in the past have been impoverished and live in developed cities with low exposure to the sun.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the adult version of rickets, and often affects women who do not eat calcium in sufficient quantities with insufficient exposure to the sun and women who have childbearing and repeated breastfeeding, causing osteoporosis and loss of intensity to the extent that cause the curvature of the feet and bends back in women, The appearance of fractures in bones, especially in the bone of the spine, femur and humerus, it also causes muscle weakness and increases the risk of fractures, especially in the wrist and pelvis.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when the mass is less than a multi-factor disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common disease in women after menopause. It can also affect older men. Lack of adequate vitamin D causes loss of calcium from the bones. Causing fractures. A study found that half of women with osteoporosis and pelvic fracture in hospital had an undiagnosed vitamin D deficiency.
Other effects of vitamin D deficiency
After talking about the underlying diseases caused by Vitamin D deficiency, we mention some of the other effects that scientific research has found to be lacking, including:
- Depression: A relationship between vitamin D deficiency and depression was found, and dietary vitamin D intake was found to help people with depression who were found to be deficient.
- Increased chance of fat accumulation and obesity: Some studies have found a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and obesity.
- Increase the susceptibility of the body to infection of viral respiratory and bacterial, in addition to the role of his lack of asthma, which also found a role in the treatment, and was found to lack a relationship with severe asthma in children.
- A link was found between vitamin D deficiency and high risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
- A relationship was found between vitamin D deficiency and cognitive retardation in older persons.
- I found a link between vitamin D deficiency and cancer.
Vitamin D deficiency in older people
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in older people because of the poor ability of the skin, liver and kidneys to convert vitamin D to its active form. Older people spend most of their time indoors away from sun exposure, as well as low intake of fortified milk Vitamin D, which increases their bone loss and the risk of fractures.
Sources of Vitamin D
In general, dietary sources are not sufficient for the body to get its vitamin D needs. Sun exposure must be sufficient to meet the needs. Sun exposure for 10-15 minutes on sunny days two to three times a week is enough to get the body On his needs, while dark-skinned people need longer periods.
As for its sources of food, it is found naturally in animal products, fish liver oils are the highest sources of food, and is found in small amounts in butter and cream and egg yolks and liver, and can be obtained vitamin D of its nutritional supplements and foods supported, such as juices, breakfast cereals, milk and margarine .
Breast milk and unprocessed bovine milk are considered weak sources of vitamin D, and the child should be given [[When to Eat Baby
The infant who breastfeeds breast-feeding vitamin D supplements, while the baby’s milk is fortified with milk.