Vitamin D

A fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D has two major forms 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 naturally present in a variety of food sources and dietary supplements and is also produced sunlight. It is reached by the body against UV-B and UV-B from sunlight produces the skin. The liver and kidneys convert can help to produce vitamin D to the active hormone.

Functions of vitamin D

Vitamin D plays multiple 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 in its active form, calcitriol acts with parathyroid hormone or PTH. If the calcium level is low, could this cause the secretion of PTH, which can stimulate the conversion of vitamin D to calcitriol. Calcitriol then act to increase calcium absorption in the intestine, the absorption of calcium in the kidneys and stimulates the release of calcium from the bones.
* Vitamin D helps maintain phosphate levels in the blood. Small amounts of vitamin D may lead to an overactive thyroid. Even with insufficient phosphorus in the body of the bone can not undergo normal mineralization.
* It is also said that vitamin D and the benefits of T-cells of the immune system or immune cell receptors for vitamin D. It works by preventing the phagocytosis, to modulate the functions of the body to fight cancer, immunity and inflammation, and neuromuscular function . reduce
* Vitamin D is also responsible for the maintenance of normal cell growth and function. It can be important in the prevention and treatment of cancer. It has been suggested that vitamin D plays a role in the regulation of growth and function of brain cells.
* The study lays close to that vitamin D plays because of its anti-inflammatory effect, a role in protecting against osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and many autoimmune diseases, immune.

Terms of deficiency

There may be underlying causes of vitamin D deficiency may result from:
* An inadequate intake of vitamin D and adequate sun exposure
* Some conditions that the absorption of the commitment of vitamin D –
* Conditions, the impact of the changeover in May metabolite of vitamin D, such as kidney or liver disease, or hereditary diseases.

Inadequate intake of vitamin D can have serious effects on the bone, which can make it thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D deficiency often results in conditions such as:

* Rickets in children frequently and is characterized by short stature and deformity of long bones is marked.
* The osteomalacia, which occurs in adults and results in a thinning of the bones. The signs of proximal weakness and   bone fragility are family properties.
* Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bone density and reduces bone fragility greater.

<p> lack of vitamin D may also linked to an increased susceptibility to various chronic diseases like hypertension, cancer, tuberculosis, periodontal disease , multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, schisophrenia, depression, mood disorders, peripheral arterial occlusive disease and several autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes. </ P>

The deficiency in adults and children

Signs of vitamin D deficiency are muscle pain, myopathy or muscle weakness and bone pain. These symptoms can occur at any age. Pregnant women who are deficient in vitamin D deficiency can also cause the fetus. In infants younger May cause a disease called rickets craniotabes or softening of the skull. In older infants of May, to prevent rickets or delay the meeting and follow-up and closure of fontanelles, domed skull of the infant and the presence of a costochondral thickening or what is called the “rachitic rosary” means. Children suffering from rickets increased age of 1-4 years experience cartilage in the epiphyses of long bones and delayed walking. Older children and adolescents in May pain when walking and at worst can lead to “wrong” or “knee”. Tetany with hypocalcemia caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in children and adults to be accompanied. This condition can cause symptoms such as numbness in the lips or tongue and areas of the fingers, facial spasms, and in the worst cases, seizures.

Recommended daily dose of vitamin D

Dose or intake of vitamin D is determined by age groups. These amounts are for the maintenance of normal growth and health of bone and calcium metabolism in normal body is essential. Demonstrated Adequate intake of vitamin D, or AIS, based on the assumption that vitamin D is based is synthesized by sunlight. From birth to 13 years, AI is recommended for children 5 micrograms or 200 IU for men and women of 14-50 years, 5 micrograms or 200 IU is required for both men and women of 51 – 70 years, 10 mcg or 400 IU is needed, the men and women reach the age of 71 and 15 micrograms or 600 IU vitamin D necessary to pregnant and breastfeeding women need 5 micrograms or 200 IU vitamin.

Food sources of vitamin D

Few food sources contain vitamin D. The best sources of vitamin D are fish body oils and fish liver. There are also small amounts of vitamin D as vitamin D3, which is found in dairy products like cheese and eggs, meat and liver. Some types of mushrooms contain different amounts of vitamin D2.

Common sources of vitamin D are:

* Cod Liver Oil
* Fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines
* The inclusion of milk, reduced fat, whole or fortified with vitamin D
* Margarine
* Cereal
* Egg
* Liver and Veal
* Swiss Cheese
* Enriched orange juice
* Rice or fortified soy beverages

The need for increasing amounts since sufficient amounts of vitamin D in the diet can be very difficult to consume many foods fortified with vitamin D to maintain a good dose of the vitamin. There are few groups that are still to increase the amount of vitamin D to:

* Breastfed babies, because vitamin D can be provided solely through breast milk
* The elderly due to the fact that increases the synthesis of vitamin D with age and the kidney’s ability to make vitamin D reduces the conversion
* People with limited sun exposure, especially those in northern latitudes, the clothes she wears, or a hat or occupations that prevent sun exposure to
* People with dark skin and melanin in the skin and reduces the ability of the skin to produce vitamin D.
* People with the conditions of fat malabsorption such as Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, the liver and patients with celiac disease, the surgical removal of part of the stomach or intestine subjected.
* People who are overweight. A greater amount of subcutaneous fat may be more vitamin D and some changes in its release into the circulation.

The interaction of vitamin D with prescribed medications supplements of vitamin D tend to react certain drugs. These include:

* Steroids or corticosteroids such as prednisone, which reduced intake of calcium can cause harm and even the process of metabolism of vitamin D.
* Drugs such as orlistat for weight loss and cholesterol lowering drugs such as cholestyramine, also to reduce the intake of vitamin D and other fat-soluble vitamins.
* The phenobarbital and phenytoin increase the metabolism of vitamin D and calcium absorption decreased.