Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Introduction to vitamin D

Vitamin D, also known as Cholecalciferol is the only vitamin that the human body is capable of producing on its own if it is exposed to sufficient amounts of sunlight. Generally an hour a week is considered enough. All the other vitamins need to be supplied to the body either via a balanced nutritious diet or by consuming vitamin supplements.

The body is able to store adequate amounts of Vitamin D because it is a fat soluble vitamin. It is also a very stable vitamin so it is not broken down if exposed to heat or during preparation.

Vitamin D for babies and adults

It is always recommended that babies that are being breast fed should be giving a Vitamin D supplement. The daily recommended dosage is normally 200 to 400 international units for adults. However, adults aged between 50 and 70 years should get around 600 international units a day.

Vitamin D deficiency

Deficiency of Vitamin D can lead to a condition commonly known as 'Rickets'. This disease is especially more common among children. Symptoms include soft or abnormal growth of bones. Infants who are not able to get enough Vitamin D can suffer from soft bones which may later on lead to bow legs, intense pain and stunted growth.

Studies about Vitamin D

Studies with animals have seen improvements for diseases including MS, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease and even type 1 diabetes by giving the animal one 25-D, the active form of vitamin D.

While this may sound promising, the problem is that high doses of the vitamin can cause other health problems, including kidney stones and heart disease. But researchers are developing drugs which mimic the effects of one 25-D, hopefully without any of the toxic side effects.

Foods with vitamin D

Vitamin occurs by only in the foods of animal origin. Liver, egg yolk, butter and cheese and some species of fish contain useful amounts. Fish liver oils, although not considered to be a food, are the richest sources of Vitamin d. Human milk has recently been shown to contain considerable amounts of water-soluble vitamin D sulfate. Other sources of vitamin D are foods artificially fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, margarine, vanaspathi and infant foods.

CONCLUSION

Some vitamin D (cholecalciferol) supplements contain potentially harmful chemicals such as silica, gluten, starch, and sugar. Choose only GMP-compliant supplements to make sure your supplements are free of such additives. Avoid products added with artificial flavors and colors.