Health Benefits and Sources of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin found in food. It can also be synthesized de novo in the body after exposure to the UV rays of the sun. Calciferol are given in addition to a balanced healthy diet to treat the deficiencies is the most active form of the vitamin and other forms have a varying degree of activity. The active form is made in the kidney. This fat soluble vitamin also functions as a hormone as it increases calcium absorption in the intestine.

The most important function of vitamin D is to maintain levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Maintaining calcium levels helps form strong bones. Deficiency of this vitamin causes rickets in children and osteoporosis and osteomalacia in adults which is characterized by brittle and fragile bones. It maintains a healthy immune system and also helps in cell grow and differentiation.

UV rays from the sun trigger Vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Factors that affect the synthesis of vitamin D on the skin are the seasons, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud, smog, and sunscreen usage. On a sunny day a 15 min exposure to the sunlight will provide enough vitamin D to last for the entire day. After 10 to 15 minutes sunscreen should be applied so that it will not cause premature ageing of the skin and tanning. People having limited exposure to the sun should include good sources of vitamin D in their food.

Researchers have found out that fortified food is one of the most common as well as a rich source. Milk is definitely the richest source of this vitamin. Other good sources are sardines, eggs, cheese, cod liver oil, liver and beef.

Deficiencies occurs when the intake is below the recommended level, low exposure to sunlight, when the kidney cannot convert the vitamin D to its active form or when the vitamin is not absorbed in the digestive tract. It also depends whether the individual is lactose intolerant or has a milk allergy.

Infants fed with only breast milk receive insufficient amount of vitamin D. A person older than 50 is recommended to take supplements as their skin is unable to synthesize vitamin D efficiently on exposure to the sun.

People in Asia and Africa skin have a reduced ability to produce vitamin D due to the higher melanin content in their skin. Persons suffering from diseases like liver disorder, malabsorption of vitamin D in the small intestine, cystic fibrosis and deficiency of the pancreatic enzymes are recommended to take vitamin supplements.

Post menopausal women are requested to have vitamin D supplements as the levels of the hormone estrogen which increases calcium absorption, fall after menopause. Vitamin D in high doses is toxic. It is recommended that a physician is consulted before taking vitamin D supplements. While taking vitamin D supplements mineral oil intake must be stopped as it interferes with the absorption process.

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