Skull Toboggan

Vitamin D

Introduction

A fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D is two main ways that are Vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants, whereas vitamin D3 is synthesized by the body. Vitamin D is present naturally in a variety of food sources and dietary supplements, and is also made with the help of sun exposure. It is produced in the body when ultraviolet-B or UVB from sunlight reaches the skin. The liver and kidney over time help make vitamin D to active hormone form.

Functions Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays several key roles in the maintenance of organ systems. For example:

* Vitamin D helps regulate calcium levels in the blood. Because it works more like a hormone, its active form, calcitriol acts with parathyroid hormone or PTH. If the calcium level is low, this would result in the secretion of PTH, which stimulate the conversion of vitamin D to calcitriol. Calcitriol then act to increase calcium absorption in the intestine, the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys and stimulates the release of calcium from the bones.

* Vitamin D helps keep blood phosphorus levels. Low levels of vitamin D may lead to an overactive parathyroid gland. Also with inadequate phosphorus the body, the bones can not undergo normal mineralization.

* It is also said that vitamin D benefits the immune system and T cells or immune cells have receptors for vitamin D. It works by increasing phagocytosis, bodily functions to fight tumors, modular neuromuscular and immune functions and reduce inflammation.

* Vitamin D is also responsible for maintaining normal cell growth and function. It can be an important element in preventing and treatment of cancer. It was suggested that vitamin D plays a role in regulating the growth and function of brain cells.

* The Research suggests that vitamin D, due to its anti-inflammatory effect, plays a role in protecting against osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and many autoimmune diseases.

Deficiency Conditions

Can not be certain underlying causes of the deficiency of vitamin D. May be due to:

* Not getting enough vitamin D along with inadequate sun exposure

* Certain disorders that compromise vitamin D absorption

* Conditions that may affect the conversion of vitamin D metabolites, such as disease kidney or liver disease or inherited disorders.

Insufficient intake of vitamin D can have serious effects on the bones, which can make them thin fragile or deformed. Vitamin D deficiency often results in conditions:

* Rickets is common in children and is characterized by stunted and deformity of long bones.

* The osteomalacia, which occurs in adults and results in thinning of the bones. The signs of impending weakness and fragility the bones are family characteristics.

* Osteoporosis, a condition which reduces bone mineral density and increased bone fragility.

<p> Lack of vitamin D can also be associated with increased susceptibility to several chronic diseases such as hypertension, cancer, tuberculosis, periodontal disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, schisophrenia, depression, mood disorders, peripheral arterial disease a number of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes. </ P>

Deficiency symptoms in adults and children

Signs of vitamin D deficiency include muscle pain, muscle weakness or myopathy and bone pain. These symptoms can occur at any age. Pregnant mothers are deficient in vitamin D deficiency can also cause fetal.

In younger infants, rickets may cause a condition called craniotabes or softening of the skull. In older infants, rickets may prevent or delay sitting and crawling and closure of the fontanelles, bulging kids' skull and the presence of costochondral thickening or what is known as "rachitic rosary. Children with rickets age of 1-4 years of age experience increases cartilage in the epiphysis of long bones and delayed walking. Older children and adolescents may experience pain when walking and in the worst cases can result in "bow legs" or "knock-knees.

Tetany is caused by hypocalcemia can go along with vitamin D deficiency in children and adults. This condition can cause symptoms such as loss of sensation in the areas of the lip or tongue and fingers, facial spasms, and in worst cases, seizures.

RDA Vitamin D

Dose or intake of vitamin D is determined according to age groups. These amounts are vital to maintaining normal growth and bone health and normal calcium metabolism in the body. Adequate intake of aromatase inhibitors or vitamin D indicated are based on the assumption that vitamin D is not synthesized by sun exposure.

From birth to 13 years, the AI recommended for children is 5 mcg or 200 IU, for men and women aged 14 to 50 years age, 5 mcg or 200 IU is required for both men and women 51-70 years old, 10 mcg or 400 IU is required both men and women reach age 71 and up call 15 mcg or 600 IU of vitamin D. pregnant and lactating women need 5 mcg or 200 IU of the vitamin.

Vitamin D Food Sources

Only a few food sources containing vitamin D. The best sources of vitamin D are fish meat and fish liver oils. There are also small amounts vitamin D, in the form of vitamin D3, which is found in dairy products like cheese and eggs, and meat and liver. Some types of fungi also contain varying amounts of vitamin D2.

Common sources of vitamin D include:

* Cod Liver Oil

* Fish and salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines

* Including non-fat milk, low fat, or total vitamin D fortified

* Margarine

* Cereals

* Egg

* Beef liver

* Swiss Cheese

Fortified orange juice *

* Fortified rice or soy beverage

The Need for a greater amount

Since obtaining sufficient quantities of vitamin D in the diet can be very difficult, many people use vitamin D from fortified foods in order to maintain a healthy dose of the vitamin. There are however some groups that need greater amounts Vitamin D:

* Breastfed babies because vitamin D can not be provided by breast milk alone

* Older people due to the fact that the synthesis Vitamin D decreases with age and the kidney's ability to convert vitamin D decreases

* People with limited sun exposure, especially living in northern latitudes, the robes of use or head coverings or those who have jobs that prevent them from sun exposure

* People with dark skin and skin pigments like melanin reduces the ability of the skin to produce vitamin D.

* People with fat malabsorption conditions, such as Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, liver and celiac disease or patients who have undergone surgical removal of any part of the stomach or intestine.

* People who are obese. An increase in the amount of subcutaneous fat may take more vitamin D and otherwise alter its launch in circulation.

The interaction of vitamin D prescription drug

Vitamin D supplements have a tendency to react with certain types of prescription drugs. These include:

* The steroids or corticosteroids, as prednisone may cause decreased absorption of calcium and may damage the process of metabolism of vitamin D.
* Medications for weight loss and orlistat and cholesterol-lowering drugs like cholestyramine also decrease the absorption of vitamin D and other fat-soluble vitamins.
* The phenobarbital and phenytoin increases Vitamin D metabolism and decreases the absorption of calcium.

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