The Role of Vitamin D in the Human Body

Vitamin D is essential for life. It enables absorption of calcium and phosphate from the small intestine and their incorporation into bones and teeth. Vitamin D enhances immunity and reduces inflammation. Calcium and phosphate are, among other, responsible for proper function of nerves and muscles.

Children not getting enough of vitamin D may develop rickets (1) - a disease with bone deformities. Vitamin D deficiency in adults results in osteomalacia (2) - weak bones with pains in bones and bone fractures.

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Prolonged exposure to the ‘Ultra-Violet (UV) Radiations’ could be a major cause for developing skin cancer despite the health advantages of vitamin D. Health experts at the ‘American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)’ accept that vitamin D is essential for optimal health of a person but the risks coupled with the UV-source is far more severe and it requires a cautious approach.

Health experts and dermatologists are of the view that appropriate amount of vitamin D can easily be obtained from natural sources like vitamin D enriched foodstuffs, fortified foods, vitamin-rich beverages, and varieties of multi-vitamin supplements. Any deliberate attempt to get exposed to the ultra-violet radiations would be harmful instead.

The exposure to the ultra-violet radiations could be natural as well as artificial. Sun is the natural source of ultra-violet radiations and various types of man made devices including tanning devices are among the artificial sources of ultra-violet radiations. Both these sources provide good amount of vitamin D to the human body but they are the safer ones, according to the ‘American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)’.

continue reading Be Sun Smart to Avoid Risk of Skin Cancer

Deficiency of the vitamin D in the body could be the result of an abnormal metabolism of the vitamins. This deficiency of the Vitamin D associated with active tuberculosis (TB) is not explained by dietary or sun exposure factors.

Epidemiologic evidence suggested by the British research team established a link between vitamin D deficiency and TB, possibly owing to an immuno-modulatory role for vitamin D. Findings of this research ahs been published in the recent edition of the journal “Thorax”.

Dr.Heather Milburn from the ‘Guy’s Hospital, London’ and colleague researchers measured serum vitamin D levels at presentation and throughout the treatment in a mixed ethnic group of 178 patients attending an inner London chest clinic for possible TB and 130 healthy individuals they had contact with. Researchers were trying to find out the relationship between factors like seasonality, ethnic differences, and association with active disease.

Researchers found out that both diet and sunlight exposures are particularly important factors influencing serum vitamin D concentrations. They also administered dietary and sun exposure level with the help of questionnaires given to 35 patients and 35 healthy control individuals. Responses from all these individuals were matched for age, gender, and skin color.

continue reading Vitamin D Deficiency Contributes To Tuberculosis