Vitamin D Deficiency

Presented by Essence Perry

History Vitamin D is one of the 13 vitamins discovered in the early 20th century by doctors studying nutritional deficiencies. Ever since, scientists have defined vitamins as organic (carbon-containing) chemicals that must be obtained from dietary sources because they are not produced by the body’s tissues. Vitamins play a crucial role in our body’s metabolism, but only tiny amounts are needed to fill that role.

What is it’s role in the body? Vitamin D’s role....● Enhancing calcium absorption: Strong bones ● Regulates mineral concentrations of calcium and

phosphorus ● Helps support a healthy immune system: fighting infection● Muscle/Neuromuscular function● Cardiovascular function: healthy heart and circulation● Respiratory system: healthy lungs and airways● Brain development● Anti-cancer effects● Intercellular communication

How does it work?-Step 1Vitamin D is the only vitamin that can be created inside the body. vD is not one chemical but many. The natural type is produced in the skin from a universally present form of cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol. The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) energy converts the precursor to vitamin D3. In contrast, most dietary supplements are manufactured by exposing a plant sterol to ultraviolet energy, thus producing vitamin D2.

How does it work?- Step 2When your skin is exposed to the sun, it produces vitamin D and sends it to your liver. From here, your liver changes it to a substance called 25(OH)D or hydroxyvitamin D. This chemical is sent all over your body where tissues, including your kidneys, turn it into activated vitamin D. There it acquires a final pair of oxygen and hydrogen molecules to become Calcitriol; scientists know this active form of the vitamin as 1,25(OH)2D. This activated vitamin D is now ready to perform its duties.

Symptoms ● Bone pain● Muscle weakness ● Hypertension: high blood

pressure● Increased risk of death from

cardiovascular disease● Cognitive impairment in

older adults● Severe asthma in children● Rickets: Bone tissue isn’t

mineralized (child)● Osteomalacia: Softening of

bones (rickets as an adult)

Vitamin D has also been linked to… ● Cancer● Asthma● Type-II diabetes● Hip or Non-Spinal fractures ● Depression● Alzheimer’s● Autoimmune diseases:

○ Multiple sclerosis (MS)○ Crohn’s○ Type-I diabetes.

Vitamin D and CancerVitamin D has an important role in regulating cell growth. Laboratory experiments suggest that it helps prevent the unrestrained cell multiplication or mitosis. vD reduces cell division by restricting tumor blood supply (angiogenesis) and increasing the death of cancer cells (apoptosis), and limiting the spread of cancer cells (metastasis). The cancers associated with vD deficiency are prostate, ovarian, pancreatic, lung, and colorectal.

RDA

● 1 and 70 years of age: 15 micrograms (μg) per day. (600 IU)

● 71 years or older: 20 μg per day (800 IU per day)

● For infants, the IOM could not determine an RDA due to a lack of data.

● Adequate Intake level of 10 μg per day (400 IU per day), which should provide sufficient vitamin D

1 μg is equal to 40 International Units (IU)

Location● Sunlight● Fatty Fish ● Canned Tuna● UV grown veggies● Fortified Juice/Milk● Supplements● Egg Yolk● Beef Liver ● Cod liver Oil ● Fortified Cereal